How car loan pre-approval works
Car loan pre-approval works in much the same way as any type of personal finance approval. A prospective buyer will have to approach a lender or broker and apply for finance. The buyer will need to consent to credit checks, supply employment or financial information, and other documentation to verify their identity.
The crucial difference is that you are not given the money immediately – you are given conditional approval or “pre-approval” for a short amount of time – weeks or up to a month or so.
Lender pre-approval is not as common as standard car loans and may not be available for bad credit customers.
Using an accredited and qualified broker can help you find lenders who offer pre-approvals on car loans with competitive rates.
How car loan pre-approval gives you a leg up on negotiation?
Are you looking for finance to buy Honda? Perhaps you're on the lookout for a Honda Civic – either a brand new 2021 model right off the showroom floor, or a well-maintained older model without too many numbers on the odometer. Or perhaps you just know Honda to be a reliable brand, and you're not too worried about the model.
Either way, Savvy can help you secure the finance to make it happen. With more than a decade in the finance industry and thousands of satisfied customers behind us, our expert team are willing and able to help you find the best car loans for your situation, and get you on the road in the Honda of your choice.
What you need to do before buying?
Before applying for a pre-approval car loan, you should have already done your homework when it comes to the type of car you are looking for. You should have narrowed down your choices to the type (SUV, sedan, hatch, etc.), make, model, and if applicable, year of manufacture. Before looking at cars in a showroom or online, you should already have a shortlist. This can help you avoid disappointment if your “dream” car is out of your price range or unavailable.
After pre-approval, you may have to temper your expectations. For example, your desired car may cost $55,000 but you have only been pre-approved for $45,000. While it’s possible to talk a dealer or private seller down to that price, you must be prepared for a “no.” Sometimes a “price floor” is as non-negotiable as a “price ceiling.”
You should test drive any vehicle you intend to purchase to find out if there are any obvious issues. If looking at privately sold cars, you may want to get an independent assessor to look at the car and/or look up the car’s VIN on the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) to avoid buying write-offs or stolen vehicles (though rare, it never hurts to look at the details.)