Car Loan Amortisation Calculator

The loan term, or the number of months over which you repay the loan, has a significant impact on the total interest paid. Longer loan terms reduce your monthly repayments but increase the total interest paid over the life of the loan. This is because interest accrues over a longer period. For example, a 60-month loan will typically result in less total interest than a 72-month loan, even if the monthly repayments are higher. Shorter terms are generally more cost-effective, but they require higher monthly repayments, so it's important to balance affordability with minimising interest costs.

The annual interest rate directly affects the monthly repayment on your car loan. A higher interest rate increases the amount of interest included in each monthly repayment, resulting in higher overall costs. Conversely, a lower interest rate reduces the monthly repayment and the total interest paid over the life of the loan. For example, reducing your interest rate by just 1% can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars, depending on the loan amount and term. It's always a good idea to shop around for the best interest rate before finalising your loan.

A larger deposit reduces the principal amount you need to finance, which in turn lowers your monthly repayments and the total interest paid over the life of the loan. Additionally, a higher deposit can help you avoid being 'upside-down' on your loan, where the car's value is less than the remaining loan balance. This is particularly important because cars depreciate quickly. By reducing the loan amount upfront, you also improve your chances of securing better loan terms, such as a lower interest rate.

While longer loan terms reduce monthly repayments, they come with several disadvantages. First, they significantly increase the total interest paid over the life of the loan. Second, they can lead to negative equity, where the car's value drops below the remaining loan balance, especially given the rapid depreciation of vehicles. Finally, longer terms may lock you into repayments for a car that could require costly repairs as it ages. It's important to carefully evaluate whether the lower monthly repayments justify these potential downsides.

Car depreciation—the loss of a vehicle's value over time—plays a critical role in loan decision-making. New cars typically lose 20-30% of their value in the first year and continue to depreciate rapidly in subsequent years. This means that if you finance a large portion of the car's price with a long-term loan, you could owe more on the loan than the car is worth. To mitigate this risk, consider making a larger deposit, choosing a shorter loan term, or purchasing a car with slower depreciation rates, such as certain used or certified pre-owned vehicles.

Amortisation refers to the process of breaking down each monthly repayment into two components: principal repayment and interest. In the early stages of the loan, a larger portion of each repayment goes toward interest, while later repayments contribute more toward reducing the principal. Understanding amortisation helps you see how your repayments are applied and can guide decisions like making extra repayments to reduce the principal faster. Paying extra toward the principal early in the loan term can significantly reduce the total interest paid.

Paying off a car loan early can save you a substantial amount in interest, especially if your loan has a high interest rate. By reducing the principal balance ahead of schedule, you shorten the loan term and decrease the total interest accrued. However, it's essential to check your loan agreement for prepayment penalties, which some lenders charge for early payoff. If no penalties exist, making extra repayments or paying off the loan early can free up your monthly budget and improve your financial flexibility.

To optimise your car loan and save money, focus on the following strategies: (1) Make a larger deposit to reduce the principal amount financed. (2) Choose a shorter loan term to minimise the total interest paid. (3) Shop around for the lowest interest rate by comparing offers from multiple lenders. (4) Consider making extra repayments toward the principal, particularly early in the loan term, to reduce interest accrual. (5) Avoid financing add-ons like extended warranties or insurance through the loan, as these increase the principal and result in higher interest costs.