Eligibility

Car finance when you are self-employed

Car finance guidance for sole traders, contractors, freelancers and company directors with variable income.

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

Being self-employed does not automatically prevent car finance. Lenders usually want reliable evidence that income is sustainable and repayments are affordable.

How it works

Provide accurate business and personal details.
The lender may review statements, tax calculations, accounts or trading history.
Existing commitments and regular expenditure are considered.
The lender decides whether to offer finance and at what rate.

What to check before you apply

Keep recent accounts or tax documents available.
Use realistic average income if earnings vary.
Do not treat turnover as disposable income.
Allow for tax, seasonality and business costs.

A realistic note

Affordability should reflect what remains after both business and household commitments.

Frequently asked questions

How long must I have traded?

Minimum trading periods differ by lender.

Can bank statements be used?

Some lenders use them; others need formal accounts or tax documents.

How are directors assessed?

A lender may consider salary, dividends, business performance or a combination.

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

The vehicle may be used as security and could be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments. Finance is subject to status, affordability and provider criteria. There are no additional charges in this example. We are a credit broker, not a lender.

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.

Check my eligibility

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.