Affordit guide
Before you take out car finance
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
Affordit does not provide finance advice or approve finance. This checklist is general planning guidance only.
- Deposit
- Monthly payment
- Agreement term
- APR if visible
- Mileage limits
- Final balloon payment
- Early exit terms
- Affordability pressure
- Red flags
Red flags
- The final payment is unclear
- Mileage limits do not match your driving
- Insurance is missing
- The term is long only to lower the payment
- You have no buffer
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 £220/month car finance payment may feel manageable until insurance, fuel, servicing and a future balloon payment are included.
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