Representative 30.9% APR
Being self-employed gives you freedom and control, but it can make getting car finance feel tougher. Lenders often want steady incomes and payslips, which isn't always possible when you're self-employed. Here at First Response Finance we understand this so have tailored our process to suit.
Just so you know... a deposit isn't always needed, it depends on your credit limit and the price of the car.
Our goal is to make car finance accessible for self-employed customers, and by understanding your unique financial situation, we aim to offer a solution that gets you on the road without unnecessary hurdles.
Craig, our Head of Underwriting says:
"For self-employed customers, the main challenge is showing that you can sustainably afford the loan throughout the term, particularly when income is seasonal or varies month to month. At First Response Finance, we think being self-employed shouldn't stop you from being able to finance a vehicle, so we consider all forms of employment and income."
That's why providing clear, up-to-date information about your income and business can really help. Even if your earnings vary, showing consistency over time helps us understand your financial position - so we can make a fair decision and help you get the car you need.
It varies for every application but usually, the total cost of car finance for someone who's self-employed depends on:
Being self-employed doesn't mean you have to pay more - the key is finding a finance option that suits your budget and circumstances. We'll work with you to tailor an agreement that keeps your repayments manageable and transparent from start to finish.
Our interest rates are fixed, so your repayments remain the same throughout the duration of your agreement - and there's no hidden fees!
Select the option that best describes your credit rating.
There are no additional fees
Representative
28.9% APRThere are two main ways to finance a car, Hire Purchase (HP) and Personal Contract Purchase (PCP).
If you want ownership and simplicity, HP is often the better route. But if you prefer lower monthly costs and to change your car more often, PCP might be the option for you.
Just so you know... we only offer Hire Purchase agreements at First Response Finance.
We use Experian, one of the UK's top credit reference agencies, to run our credit checks. This helps us to understand your credit history, which is one of several factors we take into consideration when making a decision on your approval for vehicle finance.
Yes! Having bad credit doesn't always mean you'll be turned down - not with us anyway. At First Response Finance, we believe in giving a second chance. If you've had past credit problems, we still consider your current ability to pay based on your current income and outgoings.
We understand that credit scores don't tell the whole story. By looking at your full financial picture, we aim to find a finance option that works for you - helping you get back on the road and rebuild your credit along the way.
Applying for car finance if you're self-employed is quick and easy. Here's our application process:
Fill out our online quote form to get an instant decision on your eligibility and see how much your weekly or monthly repayments would be.
Here's our fixed and flexible car finance criteria for our Hire Purchase agreements:
While our criteria helps us to lend responsibly, we're flexible on things such as the age of the car and the term of the agreement. For example, you can choose to pay your car finance loan over a long period, i.e. 48 months, or make larger instalments and pay your finance agreement off in as little as 18 months.
We're SAF Approved by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA), which means that all of our customer-facing employees have passed the Specialist Automotive Finance (SAF) Expert test. This ensures our team members have all the relevant knowledge to advise you on available finance products and help find the right one for you!
Being self-employed can sometimes make people worry about their chances of getting car finance - but many of those worries are based on myths rather than facts. At First Response Finance, we want to set the record straight and show that being self-employed doesn't have to hold you back.
In reality, getting car finance when you're self-employed is often more straightforward than you'd expect. With a clear picture of your income, we can help you find an option that fits your budget and gets you on the road with confidence.
We understand that being self-employed can make getting car finance feel daunting, which is why we focus on fairness, transparency, and flexibility. From application to approval, we make the process as simple as possible and our team is here to guide you every step of the way, so you can focus on your business - and your new car.
Here are a few more reasons why you can trust us:
With our proven track record and award-winning service, you can feel confident that we'll provide a reliable, straightforward car finance experience tailored to self-employed customers.
We’re authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
We're committed to treating customers fairly and giving clear, honest information so you can trust us to put your best interests first every step of the way!
Explore your options with a quick, free finance quote that's tailored to your budget - it won't have any impact on your credit file!
This page was last reviewed in September 2025.
First Response Finance is a responsible vehicle finance lender, and all decisions are made in the best interests of the customer; based on credit scores, status, and income at the time of application. We'll never approve an application if we believe you might struggle with repayments.
Get independent advice on money, finance products, debt management, and budgeting through Citizens Advice and MoneyHelper.
