Car finance

  • Hire Purchase car loans of £2,000 - £15,000 over 18 - 61 months
  • Instant decision on approval
  • Award-winning car finance company
  • Recommended by 98% of customers
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Representative 30.9% APR

Car finance

Average Customer Rating

4.9/5Feefo logo
Independent Service Rating Based on 2,395 verified reviews. 
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Buying a car on finance made simple

Buying a car on finance made simple

Owning a car isn't a luxury, it's a necessity that provides convenience, flexibility, and freedom. However, the upfront cost can be quite daunting - but that's where First Response Finance can help you. Buying a car on finance offers an accessible and manageable way to get behind the wheel without breaking the bank.

We've been named Best Car Finance Provider in the Consumer Credit Awards four years in a row. And with a rating of 'exceptional' from thousands of independent reviews on Feefo, we're a car finance company you can trust.

What is Hire Purchase and how does it work?

What is Hire Purchase and how does it work?

Hire Purchase is a way of buying a car on finance, where the loan is secured against the vehicle. Here's how it work:

  1. You put down a deposit and borrow the rest of the money from your car finance provider.
  2. You make fixed monthly (or weekly) repayments over an agreed period.
  3. You're charged interest on these repayments, which means you end up paying back more than you borrowed.
  4. Once the final payment's been made, you legally own the car.

Just so you know... a deposit isn't always needed. It depends on your credit limit and the cost of the vehicle.

How much does car finance cost?

How much does car finance cost?

Craig, Head of Underwriting at First Response Finance, is on hand to answer that one:

"Understanding the cost of car finance is crucial when planning your next vehicle purchase. The total cost can vary based on factors like the loan amount, term length, and your personal credit history. To make the process simpler, we recommend using our car finance calculator tool. It's a quick and easy way to get an estimate based on your information, helping you budget confidently and avoid surprises."

Car finance calculator

Borrowing

Credit rating

Select the option that best describes your credit rating.

There are no additional fees

Representative

28.9% APR
24 monthly payments of
£376
Total Payable: 
£9,022
48 monthly payments of
£235
Total Payable: 
£11,264
60 monthly payments of
£208
Total Payable: 
£12,490
Get a personalised quote

Common misconceptions about car finance

The myth

  • You're limited on what car you can choose.
  • The application process is complicated.
  • Your credit score will be negatively affected.

The reality

  • We can provide car finance on a variety of makes and models.
  • All you need to do is fill out our simple online form.
  • Taking out credit can have a positive impact as long as you keep up with your repayments.
Buying vs. leasing a car
We've partnered with Experian

We've partnered with Experian

We use Experian, one of the UK's top credit reference agencies, to run our credit checks. This helps us to understand your credit history, which is one of several factors we take into consideration when making a decision on your approval for vehicle finance.

The application process

Applying for car finance is as simple as one, two, three!

Fill out our online quote form to get an instant decision on your eligibility and see how much your monthly repayments would be.

Our car finance application criteria

Whether you're looking to buy your first car or a seven-seater for your growing family, we can provide finance on a variety of brands such as Ford, Vauxhall, and Nissan. For more information, check out our fixed and flexible car finance criteria:

Fixed Criteria

  • Aged 18+
  • UK resident
  • Petrol maximum mileage: 120,000
  • Diesel maximum mileage: 160,000

Flexible Criteria

  • 18 - 61 month terms
  • No deposit required
  • £2,000 - £15,000 lend
  • Provisional driving licences considered

While our criteria helps us to lend responsibly, we're flexible on things such as the age of the car and the term of the agreement. For example, you can choose to pay your car finance loan over a long period, i.e. 48 months, or make larger instalments and pay your finance agreement off in as little as 18 months.

Explore your payment options

How our car finance has helped others

How we helped Ryan get on the road
Customer stories

Rosie | Mar 2024

How we helped Ryan get on the road

How we helped Darren get on the road
Customer stories

Rosie | Jan 2024

How we helped Darren get on the road

How we helped Della get on the road
Customer stories

Rosie | Jun 2022

How we helped Della get on the road

How we helped Blake get on the road
Customer stories

Rosie | May 2022

How we helped Blake get on the road

See how affordable your next car could be!

Explore your options with a quick, free car finance quote - tailored to your budget.

We're FCA authorised

We're FCA authorised

We’re authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

We're committed to treating customers fairly and giving clear, honest information so you can trust us to put your best interests first every step of the way!

No upfront cost

When you buy a car through Hire Purchase, a deposit isn't always needed (depending on your credit limit and the cost of the vehicle). You can hold onto the savings or put the money towards other expenses, such as tax and insurance for the vehicle.

Variety of choice

Car finance opens the door to a wide range of vehicles that might have otherwise been out of reach. Whether you're looking at a sleek saloon or a sturdy SUV, our car finance options can be adapted to suit your budget and preferences.

Stress-free budgeting

With fixed monthly (or weekly) repayments, you can manager your income more easily because you know exactly how much you owe. And there's no balloon payment due at the end of the agreement, so that's one less thing to budget for.

Why choose First Response Finance?

Why choose First Response Finance?

When it comes to car finance, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Your financial situation, driving habits, and future plans play a crucial role in determining the best fit. Here at First Response Finance, we will have a conversation with you, so we can get to know you and tailor our offering to suit your needs. Here's why we're the go-to choice for car finance in the UK: 

Hire Purchase pros and cons

Unsure if a Hire Purchase agreement would be suitable for you? Check out some of the benefits and potential drawbacks.

  • Fixed interest rate
  • Simple to arrange
  • No deposit required
  • Flexible terms (18 - 61 months)
  • No annual mileage restrictions
  • Fixed monthly (or weekly) repayments
  • You own the car once the final payment is made
  • Customers are protected under the Consumer Rights Act (2015)
  • Finance is subject to status
  • You don't own the car until the final payment is made
  • Due to interest, you'll pay back more than you borrowed
  • The car's at risk of repossession if you don't keep up with repayments
  • Not suitable if you plan on paying off your finance agreement within six months
We're SAF Approved

We're SAF Approved

We're SAF Approved by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA), which means that all of our customer-facing employees have passed the Specialist Automotive Finance (SAF) Expert test. This ensures our team members have all the relevant knowledge to advise you on available finance products and help find the right one for you!

Bad credit car finance

We can provide poor credit car loans to people with a thin credit file or bad credit history, and who have been declined by other lenders.

Electric car finance

With First Response Finance, electric car finance is simple, flexible, and tailored to you. Ready to drive electric?

Car finance NI

If you live in Northern Ireland and want to buy a car using affordable monthly payments, we can help!

Used car finance

Can't afford to buy a car outright? Used car finance allows you to spread the payments out over an agreed period of time.

Joint car finance

If you want to increase the chances of your car finance application being approved, adding a joint applicant could help!

Car finance FAQs

Apply for a Hire Purchase car loan today

We're a trusted car finance company, and you can use our simple tool to get a quick, free quote to get you started.

This page was last reviewed in January 2025.

First Response Finance is a responsible vehicle finance lender, and all decisions are made in the best interests of the customer; based on credit scores, status, and income at the time of application. We'll never approve an application if we believe you might struggle with repayments.

Get independent advice on money, finance products, debt management, and budgeting through Citizens Advice and MoneyHelper.