Content last reviewed and updated June 2026
Used car finance
- Finance a used car with £2,000 to £15,000 - even with bad credit
- Repayments tailored to your budget, payable over 18-61 months
- Get a decision in minutes, with no impact on your credit score
- Voted the UK's best car finance provider - 5 years running
Representative 29.9% APR
Average Customer Rating
4.9/5
Why choose First Response Finance for used car loans?
Finding the right used car finance provider isn’t just about getting approved – it’s about finding a lender you can trust to be straight with you, especially if you have .
We’ve been specialising in used car finance for over 20 years, and in that time we’ve helped more than 300,000 people get behind the wheel of a car they needed, even if they’d been turned down elsewhere. We’re a direct lender, not a broker – so when you apply with us, you get a decision straight from us, with no middlemen or hidden fees.
Here’s what our customers and the industry say about us:
- Voted Best Car Finance Provider five years running at the Consumer Credit Awards.
- We're rated 4.9/5 on Feefo with over 13,000 verified customer reviews
- Multiple Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award winners - awarded in six of the past seven years, recognising consistently outstanding customer service.
We're FCA authorised
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!
Because of this, it means we have a clear and must ensure our products are suitable, communications are clear and that you receive fair value and treatment throughout your agreement. You can find out more detail of our FCA authorisation by looking at our .
How much does used car finance cost?
The total cost of your used car finance agreement will depend on four main factors: the price of the vehicle, the size of your deposit (if you have one), your repayment term, and the interest rate applied to your agreement.
The vehicle price: The more you borrow, the more you’ll repay overall. Our used car HP loans range from £2,000 to £15,000, so your starting point is whatever the car costs, minus any deposit you’re able to put down.
Your deposit: You don’t always need to put down a deposit with us, but it can help reduce the amount you borrow and the total interest you repay. Our underwriting team can help you understand what your agreement could look like with or without one.
Your repayment term: You can spread your repayments over 18–61 months. A longer term means lower monthly payments, but you’ll pay more interest overall. A shorter term costs more each month, but less in total.
Your interest rate: Our representative APR is 29.9%, though the exact rate offered to you will depend on your individual circumstances, so it could be higher or lower than this. All interest is fixed for the duration of your agreement, so your repayment amount will never change.
Want to see what this could look like in practice? Use our calculator tool to build an estimate based on your own figures.
Car finance calculator
Borrowing
Credit rating
Select the option that best describes your credit rating.
There are no additional fees
Representative
28.9% APR24 monthly payments of
£376
Total Payable:
£9,022
48 monthly payments of
£235
Total Payable:
£11,264
60 monthly payments of
£208
Total Payable:
£12,490
What is used car finance and how does it work?
Used car finance is a way of spreading the cost of a pre-owned vehicle across fixed manageable payments, rather than buying it outright. It’s one of the most common ways people in the UK get on the road – and it’s particularly useful if you need a car but don’t have the full purchase price in your bank account.
At First Response Finance, we offer used car finance through a agreement. Here’s what that means in practice:
- You apply and get a decision: fill in our online quote form and get an instant decision, with no impact on your credit score at this stage.
- You choose your car: if the vehicle you want is being sold by an FCA-approved dealership, we can help. If you need a hand finding one, our Deal Making team can help.
- You make fixed repayments: over a term of 18 to 61 months. The amount never changes, so budgeting is straightforward.
- You own the car outright: once the final payment is made, the vehicle is legally yours. No balloon payment, no “option to purchase” fee.
What makes HP different from PCP or leasing?
With Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) or leasing, you don’t automatically own the vehicle at the end – you either hand it back or make a large, final “balloon” payment. With our Hire Purchase agreements, owning the car is always the end result.
A couple of things worth knowing: you’ll be the registered keeper of the vehicle from day one, so the V5C logbook will be in your name. You won’t legally own the car until the final payment is made, but you’re responsible for its upkeep throughout the agreement.
Who is used car finance helpful for?
Used car finance through Hire Purchase is designed for people who need to buy a car but would rather spread the cost than pay upfront – and at First Response Finance, we’ve built our service around the customers that many mainstream lenders won’t consider.
You might be a good fit if any of the following sound familiar:
- You’ve been turned down for finance elsewhere: high street banks and many other online lenders rely heavily on credit scores. We look beyond your score and consider the full picture of your situation – which is why we’ve helped thousands of people get on the road.
- You have bad credit, a thin credit file, or a history of financial difficulty: whether you’ve missed payments in the past, have an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), a County Court Judgment (CCJ), or simply haven’t built up much credit history yet, we may still be able to help. We’ve been specialising in bad credit car finance for over 20 years.
- You’re self-employed or your income doesn’t come from a regular PAYE job: proving income can be trickier when you work for yourself, but it doesn’t automatically disqualify you. We assess applications individually and consider a range of income types.
- You want fixed, predictable repayments: every payment is the same amount for the entire duration of your agreement. There are no surprises, which makes budgeting more straightforward – particularly useful if you’re managing a tight monthly income.
- You want to rebuild your credit score: keeping up with your repayments on a HP agreement is a great way to show that you can handle credit well over time
- You hold a provisional driving licence: we consider applications from provisional licence holders – something many lenders won’t do.
Used car finance may not be right for you if you’re planning to pay off your agreement within six months.
Our criteria for financing a used car
We’re a direct lender, which means we set our own criteria and make every lending decision ourselves. We don’t pass your application to a panel of third parties, so when we say we’ll consider your circumstances individually, we really mean it.
Here’s what you need to know before you apply:
The non-negotiables - these apply to every application
- You must be aged 18 or over
- You must be a UK resident
- The vehicle must be purchased from an FCA-approved dealership
- Petrol maximum mileage: 120,000
- Diesel maximum mileage: 160,000
The flexible stuff
- 18 - 61 month repayment terms
- Deposits aren't always required - it depends on the vehicle value and your credit limit
- We're flexible on the age of the car, which can help to open up more of the used car market to you
- All credit histories considered, including those who have been declined elsewhere
What vehicles can I finance?
We can help you finance a wide range of used cars from trusted manufacturers, including popular choices like Ford, Vauxhall, Nissan, Volkswagen, and BMW, as well as many others available through our approved dealership network. Whether you’re looking for a practical hatchback, a family SUV, or a reliable runaround, there’s likely a vehicle within our lending range that fits.
Not sure if your chosen car meets our criteria? Our Deal Making team can help you find a suitable vehicle once your application is approved.
How our car finance has helped others
We've partnered with Experian
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.
Common used car finance myths - busted
There’s a lot of misinformation out there about used car finance, and it stops people from applying who could otherwise be approved. Here are the most common ones we come across – and the truth behind them.
Myth: You need a perfect credit score to get approved
The reality: you don’t – and this is a damaging myth in car finance. A low credit score, a history of missed payments, or even a CCJ or IVA doesn’t automatically disqualify you. We’ve spent over 20 years specialising in finance for people who’ve been turned down by mainstream lenders, and we assess every application on its own merits rather than a number on a screen.
Myth: It’s harder to finance an older or high-mileage car
The reality: with many lenders, it can be. With us, not necessarily. We’re flexible on vehicle age and our mileage limits are generous – up to 120,000 miles for petrol vehicles and 160,000 miles for diesel. This means a much wider range of used cars falls within our lending criteria than you might expect.
Myth: It’s better to pay cash than take out finance
The reality: it depends entirely on your situation. If paying cash would wipe out your savings or leave you financially stretched, spreading the cost through a fixed monthly payment may actually be the more sensible option. Finance also gives you the chance to build or repair your credit history through consistent repayments – something a cash purchase won’t do.
Myth: Applying for finance will damage your credit score
The reality: not at the quote stage. When you get a quote on our website, we run a soft credit check first, which has no impact on your credit file. A hard search only takes place if you choose to go ahead with a full application.
Myth: Used car finance always requires a deposit
The reality: not with us. Whether a deposit is required depends on the value of the vehicle and your credit limit. Many of our customers drive away without putting anything down upfront.
Reliable cars, affordable repayments!
Get a personalised finance quote for a pre-owned car that fits your budget.
Need help finding a used car?
If we've approved your application for used car finance, our Deal Making team can help you with your search for the perfect vehicle!
You can contact them via:
Where can you get finance on a used car?
Not all used car finance works the same way, and where you apply can have a big impact on your chances of approval, the rate you’re offered, and how much control you have over the process. Craig W, Head of Underwriting at First Response Finance, breaks down the most common routes:
Online lenders
"Online lenders like us, are a popular route to getting finance on used cars because of our convenient online application processes and quick decisions on approval." Online lenders tend to suit buyers who want to sort their finance before they start shopping for a car – it gives them a clear budget and the confidence to move quickly when they find the right vehicle. As a direct online lender, we make our own lending decisions, which means faster outcomes and no third-party delays.
Car dealerships
"We partner with used car dealerships, who can offer the option to apply for vehicle finance and pay for a car in instalments, instead of outright." Dealership finance can be convenient, but it’s worth knowing that many dealerships act as credit brokers rather than lenders – meaning they find you finance from a panel rather than lending to you directly. It’s always worth comparing any dealership offer against an independent lender before committing.
Banks
"Many high-street banks provide loans that can be used to buy a vehicle. However, they usually have strict lending criteria, so they're not always suitable if you have poor credit." For buyers with a strong credit history, a bank loan can occasionally offer a competitive rate. However, because bank loans are typically unsecured personal loans rather than specialist vehicle finance, they don’t carry the same consumer protections that come with a regulated HP agreement, such as the right to voluntary termination under the Consumer Credit Act once you’ve repaid 50% of the total amount owed.
We're SAF Approved
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!
What to do before applying for used car finance
Taking a few simple steps before you apply can make the whole process smoother and help you apply for the right amount on the right terms.
Check your credit report
Before applying anywhere, it’s worth knowing what lenders will see when they look at your file. You can check your credit report for free through services like , , or . Look for any errors or outdated information – incorrect entries can drag your score down unfairly and you’re entitled to have them corrected. Don’t worry if your score isn’t perfect – we work with a wide range of credit histories.
Get a sense of your budget
Gather your documents in advance
Having the right information to hand will help to speed up your application. You’ll typically need:
- Proof of identity (e.g. driving licence or passport
- Proof of address (e.g. a recent utility bill or bank statement)
- Proof of income (e.g. recent payslips or bank statements – particularly important if you’re self-employed)
- Your employment details
Think about the vehicle you want
It helps to have a rough idea of what you’re looking for before you apply – not necessarily a specific car, but a price range and a vehicle type. This means that once you have a decision in principle, you’re ready to move quickly. If you’re not sure where to start, our Deal Making team can help you find a suitable vehicle from our network of FCA-approved dealerships once you’re approved.
Consider whether a deposit is possible
A deposit isn’t always required, but putting one down if you’re able can reduce the amount you need to borrow and may broaden your options. Even a small deposit can make a difference to the overall cost of your agreement.
Use a soft search tool first
Our quote process uses a soft credit check at the initial stage, which means getting a quote won’t affect your credit score. This lets you see your likely repayments and check whether the agreement works for your budget before any formal application is made.
Hire Purchase pros and cons
Not sure if Hire Purchase is the right way for you to go? We've laid out all the arguments for and against:
- Fixed interest rate
- Simple to arrange
- No deposit required
- Flexible terms (18 - 61 months)
- No annual mileage restrictions
- Fixed monthly (or weekly) repayments
- You own the car once the final payment's been made
- Customers are protected under the Consumer Rights Act (2015)
- Finance is subject to status
- You don't own the car until the final payment has been made
- The interest on your instalments means you'll pay back more than you borrowed
- The car's at risk of repossession if you don't keep up with repayments
- Not suitable if you plan on paying off your finance agreement within six months
Used car finance FAQs
Apply for used car finance today
We've been voted the UK's No.1 motor finance lender, and our application process is free, quick and easy.
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 and .