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CAR FINANCE GUIDE

Car Loan Fees and Total Cost

Identify establishment, ongoing, discharge and contingent fees before comparing the total cost of car finance.

Scott IriksFounder, BaseRate
Updated Aug 20266 min read
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General information only: This guide does not consider your objectives, financial situation or needs and is not financial advice. Credit eligibility, rates and terms depend on the lender's assessment.

The rate is only part of the cost

A car loan can include establishment, documentation, account-keeping, payment, discharge or enforcement fees. Which fees apply depends on the lender and product.

ASIC’s 2026 review of more than 350,000 car loans identified substantial differences in fees and consumer outcomes across providers. That makes the fee schedule and total amount payable essential comparison points.

Some costs may not appear in a comparison rate

Comparison rates include specified ascertainable fees for the example amount and term, but may not capture costs triggered by future events. Review the warning and contract rather than treating one percentage as complete.

  • Establishment and documentation fees
  • Monthly or annual fees
  • Early repayment or discharge costs
  • Default and enforcement fees
  • Broker or platform remuneration disclosures

BaseRate remuneration is disclosed separately

BaseRate does not charge a customer fee to use the platform. If an introduced loan settles, the financier pays BaseRate a commission that can vary by financier and product. That remuneration is separate from lender fees and is disclosed before application. BaseRate does not compare the whole market.

Sources and further reading

Primary sources checked when this guide was reviewed:

Read BaseRate's editorial policy and calculator methodology.

Repayment estimate

Estimate car-loan repayments

Adjust the vehicle price, deposit, term and optional balloon. The result is an illustration, not an approval or finance offer.

$
$
$

Weekly Repayment

$198

Loan Amount

$42,290

Total Interest

$9,147

Example Rate

7.99% p.a.

Illustrative only. Repayment estimates use a 7.99% p.a. example interest rate and exclude lender-specific fees unless stated. This is not an advertised rate, credit approval or offer. Your actual interest rate, comparison rate, fees and repayments depend on financier assessment and the final loan details.

WRITTEN & REVIEWED BY

Scott Iriks

Scott Iriks is the Founder of BaseRate with more than two decades of experience in Australian financial services, including credit operations and executive leadership.

  • Founder, BaseRate
  • Credit Representative 580651 · ACL 383122
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