Loans - New Cars For Old

Word Count:
670

Summary:
Thinking of buying a new car? Unless you’re paying cash, presumably you’re looking for the best way to finance the car of your choice.

For people who choose to buy a new car every two or three years, personal contract purchase, or PCP, is gaining in popularity. Your car dealer or the manufacturer effectively lends you the balance of the car, after you’ve paid a deposit of 20 to 25 per cent. A fixed trade in price is promised at the end of the deal. An annual mileage limit ...


Keywords:
Loans,secured,unsecured,auto


Article Body:
Thinking of buying a new car? Unless you’re paying cash, presumably you’re looking for the best way to finance the car of your choice.

For people who choose to buy a new car every two or three years, personal contract purchase, or PCP, is gaining in popularity. Your car dealer or the manufacturer effectively lends you the balance of the car, after you’ve paid a deposit of 20 to 25 per cent. A fixed trade in price is promised at the end of the deal. An annual mileage limit will be agreed and as long as this isn’t exceeded you will be offered a choice of options when the contract ends.

The choices will be

1. To return the car and change to a new one.

2. To trade it in at its second hand value – this may be more than the guaranteed figure, which makes it well worth doing.

3. To keep the car, making a final payment of the outstanding balance.

Many people simply replace their car every couple of years, using the first option and keeping to the same dealer or manufacturer.

An alternative to personal contract purchasing is a simple car lease plan. An initial deposit is paid, which works out at three times the monthly lease payment. The lease payment is then made for 24 or 36 months, depending on the contract. At the end of the time you simply return the car and walk away. There are no obligations and you’re free to go ahead and choose your next vehicle without the complications of selling a second hand one.

To make a comparison on costs using the two methods shown above, if you take a vehicle costing £14,995, bought through a personal contract purchase plan from a dealer, on a 3 year plan, you would pay a deposit of £1,548. There would then be a repayment period of 36 months @