Affordit guide
Before you buy a car
Important note
Affordit is designed to help you plan before you commit. It does not run a credit check, connect to your bank account, approve finance or provide regulated financial advice. Use it as general planning guidance to sense-check your numbers.
Checklist before you commit
- Purchase price
- Insurance quote
- Fuel/charging
- MOT
- Servicing
- Repairs
- Finance terms if relevant
- Emergency buffer
- Questions before buying
- Red flags
Red flags
- No insurance quote
- No repair buffer
- Finance terms are unclear
- Mileage is high for your budget
- The car uses all spare income
Questions to ask yourself
- Do I understand the full upfront cost?
- Does the monthly cost still leave room for essentials?
- Have I included hidden or ongoing costs?
- Would the plan still work if income or bills changed?
- Will I still have an emergency buffer after committing?
Example scenario
A £7,000 car may look affordable, but £120/month insurance, £140/month fuel and a repair buffer can change the real monthly pressure.
How Affordit helps
Affordit helps you compare the headline cost with your savings, income, regular costs, monthly contribution and timeline before you commit. It does not run credit checks or make approval decisions.
Common questions
What should I check before committing?
Check the upfront cost, monthly cost, ongoing costs, hidden costs, timing, emergency buffer and what happens if your income or bills change.
What if the plan only just works?
If the plan only works when everything goes perfectly, it may be too tight. Consider lowering the cost, extending the timeline or building more savings first.
Can Affordit make the decision for me?
No. Affordit gives practical planning guidance based on the numbers you enter. It does not provide regulated financial advice.
Related guides
Last reviewed: June 2026