Self-employed car finance

If you’re self-employed, it might make it difficult to get car finance. We consider applications from people looking for self-employed car finance.

Self-employed car finance

If you’re self-employed, it might make it difficult to get car finance. We consider applications from people looking for self-employed car finance.

What is self-employed car finance?

Getting car finance when you’re self-employed is much like when you have a full-time job. The only difference is that being self-employed might make it harder to get approved. Some lenders may not accept self-employed people for a car loan because their income can be less consistent than those with full-time jobs. That’s where we could help.

With car finance, we pay the dealership for you. You’ll have full use of the car and will be responsible for things like tax, insurance, and maintenance. You’ll make fixed monthly payments for an agreed period, and once you’ve made the final payment, you become the car’s legal owner.

Who is eligible for car finance when self-employed?

We accept applications from self-employed people looking for car finance. When you get a quote, we’ll ask for some personal details to understand your situation. It takes less than 5 minutes and helps us see if you’re eligible for car finance.

You’ll receive an instant decision and if you’re approved, we’ll show you what your agreement could look like. An expert from our team will help you submit any documents to confirm your self-employed income and find your dream car.

What is self-employed car finance?

Getting car finance when you’re self-employed is much like when you have a full-time job. The only difference is that being self-employed might make it harder to get approved. Some lenders may not accept self-employed people for a car loan because their income can be less consistent than those with full-time jobs. That’s where we could help.

With car finance, we pay the dealership for you. You’ll have full use of the car and will be responsible for things like tax, insurance, and maintenance. You’ll make fixed monthly payments for an agreed period, and once you’ve made the final payment, you become the car’s legal owner.

Who is eligible for car finance when self-employed?

We accept applications from self-employed people looking for car finance. When you get a quote, we’ll ask for some personal details to understand your situation. It takes less than 5 minutes and helps us see if you’re eligible for car finance.

You’ll receive an instant decision and if you’re approved, we’ll show you what your agreement could look like. An expert from our team will help you submit any documents to confirm your self-employed income and find your dream car.

To get car finance when self-employed, you’ll need:

  • Monthly earnings over £1,300 (before tax)
  • Aged between 20 and 75
  • A full valid UK driving licence
  • Tax returns or CIS vouchers
  • 2 consecutive months of payslips (this applies to contractors only)

We can finance cars that meet our lending criteria:

  • Priced between £4,000 and £35,000
  • Up to 120,000 miles on the clock
  • No older than 15 years by the end of the agreement

To get car finance when self-employed, you’ll need:

  • Monthly earnings over £1,300 (before tax)
  • Aged between 20 and 75
  • A full valid UK driving licence
  • Tax returns or CIS vouchers
  • 2 consecutive months of payslips (this applies to contractors only)

We can finance cars that meet our lending criteria:

  • Priced between £4,000 and £35,000
  • Up to 120,000 miles on the clock
  • No older than 15 years by the end of the agreement

How to apply for car finance when self-employed

How to apply for car finance when self-employed

One

Get an online quote in under 5 minutes. We use a soft check at the point of application, which won’t impact your credit score and provides an instant decision.

Two

If you’re approved, use our Vehicle Finder to find your dream car. Our friendly experts will be on hand to help with the search, so you can get onto a better road ahead.

Three

We’ll help you with providing any paperwork and signing your agreement. Once your agreement is finalised, we’ll pay the dealership and you can collect your new car!

One

Get an online quote in under 5 minutes. We use a soft check at the point of application, which won’t impact your credit score and provides an instant decision.

Two

If you’re approved, use our Vehicle Finder to find your dream car. Our friendly experts will be on hand to help with the search, so you can get onto a better road ahead.

Three

We’ll help you with providing any paperwork and signing your agreement. Once your agreement is finalised, we’ll pay the dealership and you can collect your new car!

Can I get car finance if I’m self-employed with bad credit?

If you are self-employed and have bad credit, it can be hard to get car finance, but it’s not impossible. There are specialist lenders like Moneybarn who help self-employed people with both good and bad credit.

We have over 30 years of experience helping people onto a better road ahead. We could help if you’re looking for car finance with bad credit. Even if you’ve been refused car finance before, we could help.

We could help even if you:

  • Have missed or been late with payments before
  • Have been refused by other lenders
  • Are in or have had an IVA
  • Have a CCJ (County Court Judgment)
  • Have little or no credit history
  • Have been in a DRO or DMP
  • Have defaulted on credit in the past
  • Declared bankruptcy over 6 years ago

It takes less than 5 minutes to get a quote. We do a soft search when you apply, which won’t affect your credit score. We only do a hard search when you’ve found the car you want and it’s time to sign the contracts.

You can use our car finance calculator to see what your agreement might look like if you have fair, poor, or bad credit.

Can I get car finance if I’m self-employed with bad credit?

If you are self-employed and have bad credit, it can be hard to get car finance, but it’s not impossible. There are specialist lenders like Moneybarn who help self-employed people with both good and bad credit.

We have over 30 years of experience helping people onto a better road ahead. We could help if you’re looking for car finance with bad credit. Even if you’ve been refused car finance before, we could help.

We could help even if you:

  • Have missed or been late with payments before
  • Have been refused by other lenders
  • Are in or have had an IVA
  • Have a CCJ (County Court Judgment)

  • Have little or no credit history
  • Have been in a DRO or DMP
  • Have defaulted on credit in the past
  • Declared bankruptcy over 6 years ago

It takes less than 5 minutes to get a quote. We do a soft search when you apply, which won’t affect your credit score. We only do a hard search when you’ve found the car you want and it’s time to sign the contracts.

You can use our car finance calculator to see what your agreement might look like if you have fair, poor, or bad credit.

Join thousands of monthly customers like Warren

I run my own business, and without a van I couldn’t work. Luckily, I found Moneybarn. Everyone I’ve spoken to is very easy to talk to, and they made me feel like they were only there for me that day. Not in a rush, and really gave me their time to listen – Warren.

Warren a Moneybarn customer

Join thousands of monthly customers like Warren

Moneybarn customer by his van

I run my own business, and without a van I couldn’t work. Luckily, I found Moneybarn. Everyone I’ve spoken to is very easy to talk to, and they made me feel like they were only there for me that day. Not in a rush, and really gave me their time to listen – Warren.

How does car finance work for self-employed people?

How does car finance work for self-employed people?

There are many types of car finance available, such as Hire Purchase (HP), Personal Contract Purchase (PCP), and Conditional Sale (CS).

Just because you’re self-employed, it doesn’t affect the types of car finance you can get. It just means you might find it difficult to get approved and need to use a specialist lender. They might ask for documents like payslips or tax returns to confirm your self-employed income.

We offer a CS agreement. With CS, you’ll legally own the car after the final payment. There is no option to purchase fee or balloon payment needed, as there is with HP or PCP finance.

Conditional Sale car finance diagram

Get a quote online in less than 5 minutes and see how we could help you. If you’re approved, our team of experts will guide you through the application process.

There are many types of car finance available, such as Hire Purchase (HP), Personal Contract Purchase (PCP), and Conditional Sale (CS).

Just because you’re self-employed, it doesn’t affect the types of car finance you can get. It just means you might find it difficult to get approved and need to use a specialist lender. They might ask for documents like payslips or tax returns to confirm your self-employed income.

We offer a CS agreement. With CS, you’ll legally own the car after the final payment. There is no option to purchase fee or balloon payment needed, as there is with HP or PCP finance.

Get a quote online in less than 5 minutes and see how we could help you. If you’re approved, our team of experts will guide you through the application process.

Conditional Sale car finance diagram

What’s the best way to buy a car when self-employed?

The best way to finance a car when you’re self-employed depends on the car you want and if you want to own it at the end of the agreement.

If you want the latest technology or like to upgrade your car every year or two, then Personal Contract Hire (PCH) might be suitable. It lets you get the latest cars without the need to own them at the end of the lease. If you need flexibility or aren’t sure if you want to own the car, PCP might be more suitable.

On the other hand, if you want to own the car at the end of the agreement, a CS agreement lets you do this. Although the monthly payments might be higher than with PCP, with a CS deal, you legally own the car once you make the final payment.

It’s also important to consider what you will use the car for, as every lender has criteria on what they can finance. For example, we don’t finance cars to be used as taxis or for couriers or delivery drivers.

Can you get guaranteed car finance when self-employed?

What’s the best way to buy a car when self-employed?

The best way to finance a car when you’re self-employed depends on the car you want and if you want to own it at the end of the agreement.

If you want the latest technology or like to upgrade your car every year or two, then Personal Contract Hire (PCH) might be suitable. It lets you get the latest cars without the need to own them at the end of the lease. If you need flexibility or aren’t sure if you want to own the car, PCP might be more suitable.

On the other hand, if you want to own the car at the end of the agreement, a CS agreement lets you do this. Although the monthly payments might be higher than with PCP, with a CS deal, you legally own the car once you make the final payment.

It’s also important to consider what you will use the car for, as every lender has criteria on what they can finance. For example, we don’t finance cars to be used as taxis or for couriers or delivery drivers.

Can you get guaranteed car finance when self-employed?

We could help you finance a car when self-employed, but we can’t guarantee finance in any form.

No lender can claim to offer guaranteed car finance. Lenders can only offer finance if the costs are sustainable for your situation. Only after doing affordability and credit checks can they tell you whether you are approved, whether you are self-employed or have a regular job.

Everyone’s eligibility for a self-employed car loan is different and depends on several factors, including affordability and credit history.

It’s also important to know that credit checks are a key part of an application, and no lender can claim to offer car finance without a credit check.

If you are self-employed, even if you have bad credit, we could help. Many mainstream car finance lenders don’t accept sole traders, contractors, or self-employed people. You could join the thousands of customers we help each month onto a better road ahead.

We could help you finance a car when self-employed, but we can’t guarantee finance in any form.

No lender can claim to offer guaranteed car finance. Lenders can only offer finance if the costs are sustainable for your situation. Only after doing affordability and credit checks can they tell you whether you are approved, whether you are self-employed or have a regular job.

Everyone’s eligibility for a self-employed car loan is different and depends on several factors, including affordability and credit history.

It’s also important to know that credit checks are a key part of an application, and no lender can claim to offer car finance without a credit check.

If you are self-employed, even if you have bad credit, we could help. Many mainstream car finance lenders don’t accept sole traders, contractors, or self-employed people. You could join the thousands of customers we help each month onto a better road ahead.

Why choose Moneybarn?

Great customer service

We support thousands of people up and down the country each month, even if they’ve been refused elsewhere. Our customers rate us as Excellent on Trustpilot.

Award-winning finance

We continue to win industry awards for our approach to responsible lending, including ‘Vehicle Finance Provider of the Year’ and ‘Sub-Prime Lender of the Year’ for 2023.

Leading specialist lender

As one of the UK's leading lenders for bad credit, we accept people let down by mainstream lenders, with over 30 years of experience helping people onto a better road ahead.

Why choose Moneybarn?

Great customer service

We support thousands of people up and down the country each month, even if they’ve been refused elsewhere. Our customers rate us as Excellent on Trustpilot.

Award-winning finance

We continue to win industry awards for our approach to responsible lending, including ‘Vehicle Finance Provider of the Year’ and ‘Sub-Prime Lender of the Year’ for 2023.

Leading specialist lender

As one of the UK’s leading lenders for bad credit, we accept people let down by mainstream lenders, with over 30 years of experience helping people onto a better road ahead.

Useful car buying guides

Useful car buying guides

Car brands

There are lots of makes of cars available, but which one is right for you? Our guide explores their pros and cons.

No proof of income

You might not have payslips or accounts that show your income. Our guide looks at whether you can get finance.

What checks are done?

Discover what checks the finance company makes when you apply, like identity, income, and credit checks.

What deposit do I need?

Putting down a deposit can cut down on how much you have to borrow. Learn more in our guide.

Car brands

There are lots of makes of cars available, but which one is right for you? Our guide explores their pros and cons.

No proof of income

You might not have payslips or accounts that show your income. Our guide looks at whether you can get finance.

What checks are done?

Discover what checks the finance company makes when you apply, like identity, income, and credit checks.

What deposit do I need?

Putting down a deposit can cut down on how much you have to borrow. Learn more in our guide.

FAQs for getting car finance when self-employed

If you’re self-employed, you might need to provide documents to verify your income. This could include tax returns, CIS vouchers, or payslips.

When you’re ready, you can get a quote in under 5 minutes and see if we can help you. If you’re accepted, one of our friendly experts will walk you through the process.

When you’re self-employed and seeking car finance, whether you’re a tradesperson, contractor, sole trader, or running your own business, your income may not be steady each month. Some lenders may view this as higher risk and prefer to lend to those with a stable income. This can make it difficult to get approved.

It might be even harder to get car finance if you’re self-employed with poor credit.

We understand that being self-employed doesn’t mean you won’t need a car to get around or to grow your business. Get a quote today and see if we can help you.

Car finance companies usually don’t ask for your everyday accounts when you apply for car finance as a self-employed person. Many, like Moneybarn, might ask for tax returns, CIS vouchers, or payslips to check your income.

Get a quote in under 5 minutes to see if we can help. If you’re approved, our friendly experts will assist you through the process.

Yes, we can help you finance a new or used car as long as it meets our lending criteria.

If you’re not sure if your car meets our criteria, or haven’t chosen a car yet, don’t worry! Our team of experts can help you through the process. Get a quote and find out if we can help you.

Getting a car loan as a self-employed person is dependent on several factors. If you earn over £1,300 a month (before tax) and can show 2 months of payslips, tax returns, or CIS vouchers, we could help. Get a quote and see how much you could borrow.

We can’t provide car finance for those wanting to finance a vehicle through their Limited Company. But if you’re self-employed, a sole trader, or a Limited Company director, we can help you buy a car.

When you’re self-employed (running your own business, working as a contractor, or freelancing), your income might vary each month. Some lenders might not provide finance to self-employed people because their income isn’t as consistent as someone in a full-time job.

Getting a car loan can be especially tricky when you’re self-employed and have bad credit. Lenders may view those with bad credit as higher risk due to past missed payments.

We’re specialists in lending to self-employed people and those with bad credit. Get a quote today, and if you’re approved, we’ll help you buy your next car.

Unfortunately, we don’t provide financing for cars used by couriers or delivery drivers.

When you get a quote, we use a soft search to check your eligibility. This doesn’t impact your credit score. Only when you’ve chosen your ideal car and contracts are prepared for your signature do we perform a hard search, which may affect your credit score.

While financing a car may initially impact your credit score, making payments on time throughout your agreement could lead to a potential increase in your credit score over time. However, this isn’t guaranteed and relies on your consistent payment of all other bills.

We help people with less-than-perfect credit to finance a car and gradually improve their credit score. Get a quote online and see what you could borrow.

Nothing is guaranteed to improve your credit score, but there are steps you could take to increase your chances of getting car finance:

  • Register for the electoral roll if you haven’t already; lenders use this to verify your identity.
  • Pay your bills in full and on time.
  • Be mindful of how much credit you use and keep your credit utilisation low.
  • Check for any errors or mistakes on your credit file.

For further information, you can read our article ‘How to improve your credit score‘.

FAQs for getting car finance when self-employed

If you’re self-employed, you might need to provide documents to verify your income. This could include tax returns, CIS vouchers, or payslips.

When you’re ready, you can get a quote in under 5 minutes and see if we can help you. If you’re accepted, one of our friendly experts will walk you through the process.

When you’re self-employed and seeking car finance, whether you’re a tradesperson, contractor, sole trader, or running your own business, your income may not be steady each month. Some lenders may view this as higher risk and prefer to lend to those with a stable income. This can make it difficult to get approved.

It might be even harder to get car finance if you’re self-employed with poor credit.

We understand that being self-employed doesn’t mean you won’t need a car to get around or to grow your business. Get a quote today and see if we can help you.

Car finance companies usually don’t ask for your everyday accounts when you apply for car finance as a self-employed person. Many, like Moneybarn, might ask for tax returns, CIS vouchers, or payslips to check your income.

Get a quote in under 5 minutes to see if we can help. If you’re approved, our friendly experts will assist you through the process.

Yes, we can help you finance a new or used car as long as it meets our lending criteria.

If you’re not sure if your car meets our criteria, or haven’t chosen a car yet, don’t worry! Our team of experts can help you through the process. Get a quote and find out if we can help you.

Getting a car loan as a self-employed person is dependent on several factors. If you earn over £1,300 a month (before tax) and can show 2 months of payslips, tax returns, or CIS vouchers, we could help. Get a quote and see how much you could borrow.

We can’t provide car finance for those wanting to finance a vehicle through their Limited Company. But if you’re self-employed, a sole trader, or a Limited Company director, we can help you buy a car.

When you’re self-employed (running your own business, working as a contractor, or freelancing), your income might vary each month. Some lenders might not provide finance to self-employed people because their income isn’t as consistent as someone in a full-time job.

Getting a car loan can be especially tricky when you’re self-employed and have bad credit. Lenders may view those with bad credit as higher risk due to past missed payments.

We’re specialists in lending to self-employed people and those with bad credit. Get a quote today, and if you’re approved, we’ll help you buy your next car.

Unfortunately, we don’t provide financing for cars used by couriers or delivery drivers.

When you get a quote, we use a soft search to check your eligibility. This doesn’t impact your credit score. Only when you’ve chosen your ideal car and contracts are prepared for your signature do we perform a hard search, which may affect your credit score.

While financing a car may initially impact your credit score, making payments on time throughout your agreement could lead to a potential increase in your credit score over time. However, this isn’t guaranteed and relies on your consistent payment of all other bills.

We help people with less-than-perfect credit to finance a car and gradually improve their credit score. Get a quote online and see what you could borrow.

Nothing is guaranteed to improve your credit score, but there are steps you could take to increase your chances of getting car finance:

  • Register for the electoral roll if you haven’t already; lenders use this to verify your identity.
  • Pay your bills in full and on time.
  • Be mindful of how much credit you use and keep your credit utilisation low.
  • Check for any errors or mistakes on your credit file.

For further information, you can read our article ‘How to improve your credit score‘.

No deposit car finance

You might be able to buy a car without putting down a deposit, but it depends on several factors. Learn more by clicking the button below.

Car types

Finding the right car can be tricky. Our guide explores the different types of cars available so you can choose the best one for you.

What you need when applying

Knowing which documents you need can prevent delays in the car finance process. Learn more in our guide.