The method
How it is worked out
Payment = P × i × (1+i)N ÷ ((1+i)N − 1)
- P
- Vehicle price minus deposit or trade-in
- i
- Monthly interest rate
- N
- Number of payments
Car Loan Calculator
Estimate monthly car-finance repayments, interest cost and total amount repaid after a deposit or trade-in. The result updates as you type so you can compare scenarios quickly.
Keep in mind
What it leaves out
- Balloon paymentsPCP or balloon structures need a separate final payment and are not modelled here.
- FeesDealer and lender fees are not included.
- DepreciationThe car’s future resale value is not forecast.
Use the calculator to compare scenarios rather than as a guaranteed forecast.
About the Car Loan Calculator
Estimate the regular cost of financing a car after your deposit or trade-in. Enter the vehicle price, amount paid up front, rate and term to compare what you would owe each month with the total interest charged over the agreement.
How it works and an example to tryShow less
How to use the result
The financed principal is the vehicle price minus the deposit. A fixed-rate amortisation schedule calculates equal instalments and adds the interest paid across the term. This models an ordinary repayment loan, not a personal contract purchase with a guaranteed future value or optional balloon payment. Dealer fees, insurance, maintenance and depreciation are separate costs.
Example to try
Start with a car priced for your budget and a 2,000 deposit over four years. Increase the deposit to see how much less you finance, then shorten the term to compare monthly affordability with overall interest. Check a real finance agreement for any final balloon amount before relying on this estimate.
Put it to work
Try it on a real situation
Load an example
What moves the result most
Worked out from your figures above. Tap a row to try it.
Who uses it, and when
Car buyers comparing dealer finance with a bank loan, families deciding how large a deposit to put down, and anyone offered a hire-purchase agreement who wants to know what the total will be by the end.
Mistakes worth avoiding
- Confusing a simple repayment loan with a PCP deal that leaves a large balloon payment at the end.
- Ignoring that a car loses value faster than most loans are repaid, which can leave you owing more than the car is worth.
- Forgetting insurance, servicing and fuel when judging what monthly figure is actually affordable.
Questions
What does the Car Loan Calculator do?
Estimate monthly car-finance repayments, interest cost and total amount repaid after a deposit or trade-in.
How should I use the result?
The financed principal is the vehicle price minus the deposit. A fixed-rate amortisation schedule calculates equal instalments and adds the interest paid across the term. This models an ordinary repayment loan, not a personal contract purchase with a guaranteed future value or optional balloon payment. Dealer fees, insurance, maintenance and depreciation are separate costs.
Does TechBullion store the information I enter?
The core calculation or transformation runs in your browser. Normal website security and analytics may still record page-level events, but the tool does not need to create a public record from your inputs.
What mistakes do people make with a car loan calculator?
Confusing a simple repayment loan with a PCP deal that leaves a large balloon payment at the end. Ignoring that a car loses value faster than most loans are repaid, which can leave you owing more than the car is worth. Forgetting insurance, servicing and fuel when judging what monthly figure is actually affordable.
Is the result guaranteed?
No. Use the result as a practical check or planning aid and verify important decisions with the relevant primary source, provider or professional advice.
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Calculator results are estimates based on the figures entered and are not financial, investment, legal or tax advice.