Monday, August 5, 2019

Used car loan vs new car loan: which is better?


Purchasing a four-wheeler is no more challenging. Once considered a luxury asset, now has become more of a necessity. It has become a secure mode of transport, giving the owners to take their family members out or head for a solo drive. The dilemma that consumers fall into is whether to purchase a used car or a new one? 

Many believe buying a new four-wheeler is not a great financial decision. Some others believe that going for a trusted second-hand vehicle is better when you get your first four-wheeler. A new car too can deliver superior performance if you are willing to spend more. Depending on the final decision, you need to apply for car loans

How do pre-owned or new four-wheeler loans work? 

There are primarily four parameters that set used and new auto loans apart. They are – 

Amount: When it comes to a new vehicle loan, there are very few unknown factors from the owner’s perspective. Considering it is a new one, the performance and quality is not a concern. It has zero miles per kilometres on the odometer. However, when it comes to pre-owned vehicles, the banks and other financial institutes give away the loan taking into various factors, including the car condition. The loan-to-value ratio is lower for used cars. Some lenders extend up to 95 per cent loan on the car value. If you successfully meet the eligibility criteria, lenders may provide up to INR 1 lakh to INR 50 lakh. 

Tenure: Another critical area for the borrowers is the loan duration. Everyone wants to spread out the loan for as many years as possible so that EMIs are manageable. While the tenures are usually longer for new loans, it is not the case with the used ones. Nowadays, institutes providing pre-owned vehicle loans are also giving it away for lengthy period, i.e. 60 months to 5 years. 

Interest rates: New vehicle carry lower risks; hence, the car loan interest rate is low too. In the case of pre-owned vehicle, the prices are typically high. However, remember higher loan interest rates makes sure you repay the loan ahead of the maturity phase. Although the interest rates are higher for used cars, the paperwork is minimal, and the application process is quick. This is a massive relief for consumers. 

Used car loan interest rate also includes other factors like the age and type of the vehicle. This could either increase or decrease the rates. 

EMI options: If you opt for a tailor-made car loan, it can be beneficial for you in many ways. While one may have heard of new car loan EMI options, the second-hand car loan options are not behind. Flexible EMI options are aplenty in under pre-owned loans. You have the choice between structured and fixed EMIs. Under the fixed EMI, the instalment remains the same for the entire period. But in structured EMIs, you can repay more amount whenever your income rises such as incentives, bonus, etc. You can do so at regular intervals. You can use the EMI calculator to make the right choice.
Purchasing a four-wheeler involves commitment owing to the running and maintenance costs. If you do not want to splurge much and are find with a reasonable performing vehicle, then opt for second-hand car loans.

How do you choose a suitable lender for your financial requirements?

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