Man test driving his new car

Car finance in Cardiff

Looking for a car loan in Cardiff? Apply today for a decision in minutes with no impact on your credit score.

Zuto is a credit broker, not a lender. Our rates start from 9.9% APR. The rate you are offered will depend on your individual circumstances. Representative Example: Borrowing £7,500 over 48 months with a representative APR of 21.4% the amount payable would be £226 a month, with a total cost of credit of £3,369 and a total amount payable of £10,869.

Looking for car finance in Cardiff?

Car finance can be an affordable way of buying a new or used vehicle, as it allows you to spread the cost over a period of months or years. Zuto makes buying a car in Cardiff a quick and stress-free process, working with a large panel of lenders to find you the best deal based on your individual circumstances – even if you need bad credit car finance.

The most popular cars in Cardiff

If you know the type of car you want to drive when applying for car finance, perfect! If you’re still unsure, we’ve picked out the most popular vehicle models other drivers in Cardiff are buying.

Ford Fiesta

Drivers in Cardiff have long-favoured the classic Ford Fiesta as a good all-rounder with solid performance, and high-tech features. You should be able to find this reliable family car for between £12,300-17,500.

Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf has long been a reliable runner, with a spacious interior, roomy boot, and comfortable driving experience. Expect a powerful performance at an affordable rate, with used Golfs typically coming in between £11,000-22,000, depending on age and mileage – or pick out a second-hand hybrid for £24,000-29,000.

Vauxhall Insignia

Packed with the latest tech, the Vauxhall Insignia is the ideal hatchback for both business and family time. It’s quickly become a favourite among drivers in Cardiff, with second-hand models generally coming in at around £6,000-14,000.

Nissan Qashqai

Drivers love the Nissan Qashqai for its smooth driving experience and tech-dominant infotainment system, jam-packed with all the latest features. This family favourite is generally sold at second-hand dealerships for between £11,500-18,000.

Vauxhall Astra

Popular among Cardiff drivers, the Vauxhall Astra is a comfortable hatchback that’s both affordable to run and maintain. Most dealerships will sell used Vauxhall Astras for between £10,900-14,500. Find out more about applying for Vauxhall Astra finance with Zuto.

Ford Focus

Practical and versatile, the Ford Focus is ideal for everything ranging from the school run to holiday road trips. Generally, you’ll be able to find a second-hand Ford Focus for around £16,500-20,900. For more information, find out how you can finance a Ford Focus with Zuto.

Audi A3

Powerful yet affordable, the Audi A3 offers luxury driving without extreme running costs. Ideal for drivers looking for the latest features, you’ll likely find a second-hand A3 for £19,100-26,000 – or drive away in a hybrid for £30,000-34,000.

Kia Sportage

A reliable favourite with all the latest driver technology and infotainment, it’s little surprise that the Kia Sportage has become such a popular model. The typical price for a second-hand Sportage is between £14,300-20,700, while hybrid models will come in a little more at £23,700-27,000.

Do you work with car dealers in Cardiff?

We work with many trusted car dealers in Cardiff and the surrounding area, with an array of makes and models for you to choose from, so there’s a good chance we can help you find your perfect new or used vehicle.

We’re able to offer unrivalled local knowledge and free background checks on all partners, to help you find a reliable dealer and competitive finance solution. If you’re approved for car finance in Cardiff, you’ll be able to search your area and filter for cars available near you. So, get in touch today to discuss your options.

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Insuring your car in Cardiff

When buying a car, there are various additional costs to consider on top of your monthly finance payments. One of those is car insurance, which is legally required of all drivers in the UK.

Fortunately, the typical cost of car insurance in Cardiff is around the same as the national average, coming in at £651.84 (vs UK average £640). This is similar to nearby Newport (£662.64) but slightly higher than Wales’ second largest city Swansea (£557.69).

What factors affect the cost of car insurance in Cardiff?

There are a series of common factors that might contribute to you having to pay higher insurance premiums than the local average. These include age, annual mileage on your vehicle, and whether you have any points on your driving license.

How to reduce the cost of car insurance

If your car insurance is a little more than you’d hoped it would be, there are a few simple ways for you to lower your premium:

Increasing your excess: your excess refers to the amount you’re liable to pay when making a claim. Raising this amount voluntarily can help to reduce your monthly insurance payments.

Reduce your annual mileage: the cost of your car insurance is heavily dependent on the risk of you being involved in an accident. In theory, the longer you spend on the road, the likelier you are to experience an accident that requires a claim, so reducing your annual mileage can lower your quote.

Build up your no claims discount: every year you go without making a car insurance claim, you earn what’s called a ‘no claims discount’. As you accrue more discount each year, you should start to notice a reduction in your quote.

What to know about driving in Cardiff

As is the case with most UK cities, Cardiff can get extremely busy on the road, so navigating the congestion can take some getting used to. With this in mind, you should also familiarise yourself with any particularly busy streets, difficult junctions, and bus lanes. Other things to consider include:

  • There are regular studies conducted in Cardiff around the potential introduction of clean air zones. While not in place yet, this could impact drivers of older vehicles that don’t fit the criteria. This is something to be aware of when applying for used car finance.
  • Cardiff council is proposing a potential congestion charge for drivers entering the city, amounting to £2 per day. However, the proposal suggests that all money raised will be used to fund an innovative tram network that would make travel across the city simpler and more efficient.
  • Parking in Cardiff isn’t always easy, so it can be useful to know some of the best spots. Westgate Street, 2 Greyfriars Road, and St. David’s Dewi Sant all offer plenty of spaces close to the city centre.

Why choose Zuto for car finance?

Finding car finance in Cardiff couldn’t be simpler, with Zuto. Complete our quick and easy online application form, which doesn’t impact your credit score, and we’ll find you the best finance deal based on your personal circumstances.

Our team of car buying experts are always on hand to offer help and advice, as well as expertise of dealerships in Cardiff and Wales, so get in touch today to talk about buying an affordable new or used car.