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Finance guides

Guarantor car finance: responsibilities explained

How guarantor car finance works and the responsibilities taken on by both borrower and guarantor.

Representative 19.9% APR. Credit broker, not a lender. Selected panel, not the whole market. The vehicle may be used as security.

With guarantor finance, another person agrees to make payments if the borrower does not. This is a serious financial commitment for both people, not a simple character reference.

How it works

  1. The borrower and guarantor provide information for assessment.
  2. The lender considers the affordability and credit position of both people.
  3. The borrower remains responsible for normal repayments.
  4. The guarantor may have to pay if the borrower misses payments.

What to check before you apply

  • Exactly when the guarantor can be asked to pay.
  • Whether the guarantor could afford the full commitment.
  • How missed payments could affect both credit records.
  • Whether a non-guarantor option is available.

A realistic note

Both people should read the agreement carefully and consider independent advice before taking on a guarantor commitment.

Frequently asked questions

Who can be a guarantor?

Criteria vary. The person usually needs a stable financial position, UK residency and a suitable relationship with the borrower.

Is the guarantor a joint owner?

Not automatically. Their obligation relates to the finance agreement.

Can a guarantor withdraw later?

Usually not simply on request after the agreement starts.

Important: We Do Car Finance is a credit-broking service operated by Sandhurst Associates Limited. We are not a lender. Finance is subject to status, affordability and lender criteria. Acceptance is never guaranteed.

Representative example

Representative 19.9% APR

A complete example for a Hire Purchase (HP) agreement. Your rate and payments may differ because they depend on your circumstances and the provider's assessment.

Agreement type
Hire Purchase (HP)
Cash price
£12,000.00
Deposit
£0.00
Amount of credit
£12,000.00
Interest rate
18.29% p.a. fixed
Duration
60 months
Repayments
60 monthly payments
Each repayment
£306.60
Other charges
£0.00
Total charge for credit
£6,396.00
Total amount payable
£18,396.00
Representative APR
19.9% APR
Take the next step

Ready to check your eligibility?

Start with no obligation. Where available, the initial check uses a soft search; a provider may use a hard search before a final decision.

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Representative 19.9% APR. We are a credit broker, not a lender, and search a selected panel rather than the whole market. We do not charge you a fee. We may receive variable commission from a provider, which may affect the option we introduce. The vehicle may be used as security. How our service works.

Guarantor car finance: responsibilities explained | We Do Car Finance