Will it be easier to buy a new car in 2022?
In the last two years there has been a global microchip scarcity that has affected the car industry. It has led to a supply shortage of new cars and rising prices of used cars.
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Used car prices: Is 2022 the right year to buy pre-loved?
Over the pandemic used car prices have skyrocketed across Australia. So what does that mean for 2022? According to new data from Allianz, 85% of Australians are looking to the used car market to save money because they can’t afford a new car. However, as per prices right now, the second hand vehicle market could be a hard egg to crack as well. In fact, analysis from vehicle comparison site Carsguide found that used car prices across websites like Gumtree, CarsGuide and Autotrader have gone up significantly over the past year. In December of last year, it found that:
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ACT households offered up to $15k interest-free loans for electric vehicles
Are you a Canberran with an electric vehicle on your Christmas or 2022 list? We’ve got news for you … This month, the ACT Government introduced the Sustainable Household Scheme to residents of the nation’s capital as part of its commitment to net zero emissions by 2045. Under the scheme, the government is offering interest-free loans between $2,000 and $15,000 to eligible homeowners to fund the cost of energy efficient products, including EVs. The loans can be paid back over a period of up to 10 years and there are also no upfront or ongoing fees attached to it. “As the impacts of climate change become increasingly evident, it is essential that governments work with the community to not only take meaningful action to limit our contributions to global warming, but to do so in a way that improves our quality of life,” said chief minister, minister for climate action, Andrew Barr in the Sustainable Household Scheme Guidelines for participants. “I am pleased to announce the introduction of the Sustainable Household Scheme (Scheme), to support Canberrans to reduce their energy use and costs and live more comfortably. This in turn will contribute to the ACT’s transition to net zero emissions by 2045. “The Scheme will provide $150 million in zero interest loans over five years to eligible households, individuals and not-for-profit community organisations, and be delivered through a contracted loans provider.” Partnering with home improvement loan provider Brighte, the ACT Government is set to offer the scheme up until 2026 (unless it’s extended). Apart from the scheme and loans, Brighte also offers a specialised interest-free Buy Now Pay Later service for home improvement purchases (including green ones) up to $30,000 and snapped up a 2021 Mozo Experts Choice Award for best specialised service.
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Average cost of owning a car continues to go up as Aussies spend over $350 a week on their transportation
It’s no secret that a car is something that will cost you the moment you drive out of the dealership (have you seen the price of petrol lately?). From regular costs like car loan repayments, fuel and tolls to you more-occasionals like tyres, rego and insurance and roadside assist - it all adds up. That’s where the latest stats from the Australian Automobile Association come in handy, as they break down the Australia-wide average of different car costs. According to the report, the average total transport cost for Aussies over the third quarter (Q3) of 2021 was $367.63 per week. That’s $6.99 greater than in the second quarter (Q2) of this year and makes up on average 15% of Australians’ total income. And, if you look at it from an annual cost perspective, it adds up to be $19,117 per year. While public transport is considered in the national total transport cost, it only makes up 6% of yearly transport costs overall, meaning the rest goes towards personal transportation costs (those associated with owning a vehicle) such as car loan repayments, fuel and repairs.
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Motorbike loans: the ins and outs of funding two wheels
Got an itch to hit the open road on two wheels this summer? Or maybe you’ve been dabbling with the idea of scooting to work? Whatever the reason, when it comes to financing the purchase of a motorcycle (or motorised scooter) it's best to know what options are out there - because the truth is it may not be as straightforward as getting a car loan. According to recent stats from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), 86,239 new motorcycles, scooters and off highway vehicles were sold between January and September of this year, an increase of 6,616 year on year. “This steady growth of 8.3 per cent over the same period in 2020 shows us that there is strong demand from buyers who want to use a motorcycle as their first choice for the daily commute and for recreation,” FCAI chief executive, Tony Weber said.Plus with the FCAI’s ‘Ride Your Motorcycle Week’ around the corner (29 November to 5 December), Weber is hoping that more Aussies will hit the road soon. “When you’re on the bike, there’s nothing else like it,” Weber said. “But life gets in the way. Ride Your Motorcycle Week is just a little extra push to get your bike serviced ahead of riding season, take the bike to work or take the long way home, take the day off and reconnect or just go and have an adventure. This is the week to start doing it.”
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Do I need a deposit to get a car loan?
Unlike home loans, you don’t always need to have a deposit for a car loan. However, if you do put down a deposit it may help your approval process and lower your repayments.
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How to buy a car online? Tips for for new or used cars
Buying a car typically means time in your diary to visit a dealership or two and have to deal with pushy salespeople. If this sounds like a nightmare, rest assured it’s a common fear.
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Checklist: Buying your first car
So you finally got your driver's license and you’re ready to buy your own car. But before you start your journey of being a proud owner of your very own vehicle there are a few things you should tick off first.
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How a pre-approved car loan could fund your post lockdown vehicle purchase
Been holding out to buy a car once post-lockdown? Well, it may be time to think about getting pre-approved for a car loan.Not only could this speed up the process of buying a new or used vehicle, it can give you the peace of mind that you have already been approved for lending from a car loan provider. Plus, it can give you a better idea of what car prices you can go for as well as how far you need to go if it comes to negotiating the price.
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What is a good credit score for a low rate car loan?
It’s no secret that your credit score can affect the interest rate you might receive on a car loan. And in some cases it might impact your chances of getting a loan at all. But the question is, what exactly is a “good credit score” to get your hands on a low-rate car loan? Well, that’s up to the lender. You may have heard of tiered car loan interest rates. This is where a car loan lender advertises a loan with a range of rates attached to it, the lowest on offer being available to those with an excellent credit rating and the highest for those with a more unhealthy credit rating. Although, for those with bad credit rating this is still within reason, so remember that it’s up to the lender to decide whether or not to offer you a loan at all. When you apply for the loan, the lender will assess your credit history and rating, and may offer you a rate that depends on that assessment - this is also known as risk-based pricing. Generally speaking, your credit score will range between 0 to 1,000 or 1,200 and the higher it is the better. Essentially, if you have a high credit rating it means that your credit history shows you are less of a risk to potential lenders, which means you’re more likely to get a low interest car loan.
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