• There's a huge selection of cars to buy from the new and second hand pool.
• Most consumers need to finance the purchase of a vehicle.
• We look at 10 financial terms related to vehicle finance that you should know.
There are a myriad of options when it comes to purchasing a car. And while some might see it as an exciting exercise, for others it could be daunting.
Once you've settled on a car to purchase, the next step is figuring out how to pay for it, or finance the vehicle. Banks have vehicle finance arms that offer bespoke assistance in this regard.
The financial jargon that comes with making the purchase can be difficult to navigate and that's why professionals guide and assist consumers when purchasing a vehicle.
There is no shame in admitting you don't know what a balloon payment is or the difference between fixed and linked interest rates. What about the warranty, and do you need a service plan?
While all these terms can be intimidating the first-time round, researching and asking questions will ensure you get the best financial deal on your set of wheels.
FNB's vehicle finance arm, WesBank, has laid out key points to understanding the payment deal to make sure you sign up for the best financial plan that suits your needs and, more importantly, your pocket.
Car ownership is more than the initial price tag. A customer will need to consider monthly repayments, plus the added costs of fuel, comprehensive insurance cover and general maintenance and service expenses when buying a car.
So, here's a quick guide to understanding all that jargon and getting you vehicle finance savvy so you can make the right choices.
Interest rate
The interest rate affects the amount a bank charges you for borrowing money, and the amount you need to pay back is determined by the interest rate on your finance agreement. The current low-interest rate is good news for anyone repaying a vehicle finance loan.
Fixed or linked interest rate
You can choose between a fixed or linked (variable) interest rate on your vehicle finance agreement. As it says, a fixed interest rate remains the same, as does your monthly instalment. A linked rate fluctuates with the South African Reserve Bank's prime interest rate – if the rate increases, so will your payment, but if the rate goes down, you will benefit from a lower monthly price.
Deposit
This is a cash amount you pay upfront before the vehicle finance agreement starts. This amount is deducted from the price tag, so it makes sense that the bigger the deposit you can pay, the less you will owe on the car in the long run.
Finance period
The finance period is the length of time you agree to in the contract to pay off the car. It affects your monthly instalment and interest amount. A more extended period may mean a lower instalment, but the interest adds up, so you could end up paying more. A shorter payment period might incur a slightly higher monthly payment but lessens the interest paid out in the long term, which is a good thing.
Balloon payment
A balloon payment is a lump sum amount that still needs to be paid at the end of the vehicle finance contract. So, on the upside, while it reduces your monthly instalment for the contract period, you will need to settle it in full at the end, so be cautious of this payment option. Because you may end up paying more interest in total in the long term, you need to make sure you have budgeted and saved enough to pay off the outstanding balloon payment. However, this amount can now be refinanced, which will extend your term to pay back the car loan.
Total cost of ownership
As mentioned, there's more to owning a car than paying the monthly instalment. You need to budget for the running costs too – fuel, insurance, licence, servicing, maintenance, tyres and brakes, tolls, maybe the odd speeding fine! It's essential to buy a car you can afford even if it's not yet the car of your dreams.
Insurance
There is plenty of tempting insurance offers to choose from. However, WesBank recommends comprehensive insurance cover for a first-time car owner. This will cover you in the unfortunate event of accident damage, theft or vehicle write-off, plus you are covered for third party damage, which is damage to another car in the case of an accident. The high risk of driving an uninsured vehicle is not worth it.
Warranty
A new car usually comes with a manufacturer's warranty that would cover a faulty fuel gauge, for example, but not general wear and tear on the brakes. It lasts for a specific period, but the finance provider, such as WesBank, can extend the warranty period and offer you a warranty when buying a used car.
Service plan
Usually covering the cost of a standard service, a service plan pays for your car's regular services at set intervals (period or km driven) as stipulated by the manufacturer. Be sure to understand what repairs or parts are excluded from the plan to avoid a nasty bill following a service.
Maintenance plan
Maintenance plans differ in what they offer, but most include the cost of servicing plus general vehicle wear and tear repairs to keep your car running efficiently. Again, make sure you are 100% clear on exactly what the plan covers and what is excluded.
Kutlwano Mogatusi is WesBank's Motor's Communication Specialist.
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