A pre-approval is an indication, not a contract. It does not oblige you to borrow and it does not oblige us to lend once the full application and the vehicle are assessed.
Why get pre-approved
Walking into a showroom without funding agreed means negotiating on the monthly payment. Walking in pre-approved means negotiating on the price of the car, which is the number that actually matters.
- You know your ceiling before you fall in love with something above it.
- You can compare the dealer finance offer against a rate you already hold.
- A private seller takes you more seriously when funds are arranged.
- It shortens the final application, because most of the assessment is already done.
Always compare with dealer finance
Dealer finance is sometimes genuinely cheaper, particularly a manufacturer zero-rate promotion. Hold a pre-approval so you can tell the difference rather than guess.
What we need from you
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Photo ID and proof of address | Identity verification, which is a legal obligation on us. |
| Recent income evidence | Three payslips, or two years of accounts if you are self-employed. |
| Recent bank statements | To assess your actual outgoings rather than an assumed figure. |
| Existing credit commitments | Loans, cards and any existing vehicle finance, including balances. |
| Deposit and any trade-in | How much you are contributing, and where it comes from. |
| The kind of vehicle | New or used, approximate age and value. Not the exact car. |
You do not need a car yet
Pre-approval is assessed on you, not the vehicle. The car is assessed later, which is why the final offer can still change if the vehicle is unusual.
How it runs
Apply
Open or sign in to your account and submit the pre-approval form with the documents above.
Assessment
Income, expenditure and credit history reviewed. Usually one to two business days.
Your indication
An indicative amount, rate band and maximum term, valid for a set period.
Find the vehicle
Buy from a dealer, privately or at auction. Tell us which, because the checks differ.
Full application
Vehicle details added, security and condition checked, formal offer issued.
Funds released
Paid to the dealer or seller directly, with the finance registered against the vehicle.
While the pre-approval is live
Do not take on new credit, change job, or make large unexplained transfers. Each one triggers a re-assessment and can change or withdraw the indication.
What pre-approval does not do
- It does not guarantee the final rate. That is set once the vehicle and the full application are assessed.
- It does not cover a vehicle we cannot lend against, such as one with outstanding finance, an insurance write-off marker or no clear title.
- It expires. If you have not bought within the validity period, it needs refreshing.
- It is not a loan agreement. Nothing is owed and nothing is committed until you sign the formal offer.
Documents you may also need
Vehicle Finance Rates
Indicative rates for new, used and electric vehicles, what moves the rate you are offered, and the fees that come with it.
Vehicle FinanceBuying Through a Dealer
How dealer purchases, part-exchange and private sales work with our finance — and how to tell whether the dealer offer or ours is genuinely cheaper.
Vehicle FinanceRefinance Your Vehicle
Move an existing car loan to us: when it saves money, when it quietly costs more, and exactly how to check which applies to you.
This document was last updated on 1 August 2026. We publish the current version here at all times; superseded versions are available on request.
If anything on this page is unclear, write to us and we will explain it.