How to get a car loan | Financing a new car - NAB

Get there sooner with a personal loan

Saving for a large purchase, like a car, can be difficult. We offer a range of car finance options, including a secured NAB Car Loan and an unsecured NAB Personal Loan, as well as secured NAB Car Loan for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. Both options provide fast access to funds and offer different levels of flexibility to suit your needs.

NAB Car Loan

  • Our secured car loan, powered by Plenti.

  • Borrow from $10,000 to $100,000 with up to 7-year terms repaid monthly.

  • $350 loan establishment fee waiver if you’re refinancing.

  • No penalties or exit fees when you pay off your loan faster.

  • Get your rate quote in as little as one minute without impacting your credit score.

  • Enjoy access to lower rates.

NAB Car Loan for electric vehicles

  • A secured loan for all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars.

  • Borrow from $10,000 to $100,000 with up to 7-year terms repaid monthly.

  • $350 loan establishment fee waiver if you’re refinancing.

  • Receive an EV discount of 0.75% on eligible all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars.

  • Get your rate quote in as little as one minute without impacting your credit score.

NAB Personal Loan

  • An unsecured loan, so you don’t need to use the car as security.

  • Borrow up from $5,000 up to $55,000.

  • No penalties, exit fees or surprise charges.

  • Flexible weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayment options.

How to apply for a car loan

Here’s a guide to getting your car loan application ready.

Step 1: Know what you can afford 

Think about the car you want and how much you can afford.

  • If you’re considering an unsecured loan, use our budget planner and borrowing power calculator to check what fits your lifestyle.
  • If you’re considering a secured loan, get a personalised quote to see how much you could borrow and what your repayments might be. This helps you borrow confidently and avoid surprises later.

Step 2: Pick the right loan type

Choose between a secured car loan or an unsecured personal loan.

  • Secured loans usually have lower rates because the car is the security.
  • Unsecured loans with variable rates can give you redraw flexibility if you don’t want to use the car as security.

Learn more about secured versus unsecured personal loans.

Step 3: Check if you’re eligible

Before you apply, review our eligibility checklist.

  • This ensures you meet the basics and can help speed up the approval process.

 Check out both our car loans to find out more about specific eligibility criteria.

Step 4: Understand your credit history

We look at your credit report to assess your ability to repay.

You can get a free copy of your credit report from a credit bureau. Reviewing it helps you know where you stand before you apply. You should check for mistakes before you apply, as errors can happen, and fixing them early avoids misunderstandings that could affect approval.

Step 5: Gather your documents

Have these ready:

  • Driver’s licence
  • Proof of income
  • Details of assets and debts

 This helps us verify your details quickly.

Step 6: Get a quote and apply

Get a personalised quote in minutes - without affecting your credit score.

  • If you’re happy with the quote, submit your application online.
  • We’ll let you know if we need anything else.

Step 7: Receive your funds

Once approved, sign your contract and your funds will be in your account - usually within one business day.

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Terms and Conditions

The information contained in this article is intended to be of a general nature only. It has been prepared without taking into account any person’s objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this information, NAB recommends that you consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances. NAB recommends that you seek independent legal, financial, and taxation advice before acting on any information in this article.