Can I get car finance while on a debt management plan?

Being on a debt management plan (DMP) can make it difficult to be approved for car finance due to it impacting your credit file. We want to help you understand the process of applying for car finance whilst on a debt management plan and how Zuto could help with that.

When you’re in a DMP, you are still eligible to apply for finance. However, you will be advised to contact your Debt Management Firm or Debt Advisor to discuss the finance to ensure it is affordable. Any additional expenses for a car have to be managed within the plan, so Zuto will ask you to get consent from them before paying out the finance.

Before thinking about buying a car, it’s important to research all the associated costs that come with owning a vehicle, to make sure it’s affordable for your current situation. To help with this we have highlighted some common costs associated with owning a car:

• Finance
• Insurance
• MOT
• Road tax
• Fuel
• Ongoing maintenance costs (replacement tyres or general repairs)

Some of these costs are monthly and some are annually. However, all are necessary to run a healthy car and worth considering before purchasing.

Being on a debt management plan will undoubtedly impact your credit file and this is one of the main reasons you might struggle to get car finance. At Zuto we work with lenders who specialise in providing poor credit car finance. 

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When you apply for car finance, your credit score isn’t impacted as we only run what’s called a ‘soft search’ on your file. If you are approved, and decide to go ahead with the finance offer, this is when a ‘hard search’ is done and a mark if left.

Mike has worked at Zuto since 2018 and uses his experience within the industry to help customers understand the ins and outs of car finance.