Before applying for car finance
Will I qualify for car finance?
To be eligible for a loan you must:
- Be a permanent resident of England, Wales or Scotland
- Have lived in the UK for at least three years
- Be aged between 18 and 74 and won't be 75 or over at the end of the loan term
- Be in employment, or retired and have a minimum annual income of £10,000
- Not have had any County Court Judgements (CCJs) in the last three years
- Not have been made bankrupt, had any Debt Relief Orders or gone through Individual Voluntary Arrangements in the last six years
- Have a UK bank account in your name
- Not be using the car for commercial purposes.
Please note, if you meet the above criteria this doesn't guarantee your application will be accepted.
Can I get car finance if I'm self-employed?
Yes, Admiral offers car finance to self-employed people as long as you meet our other criteria, and pass our credit and affordability checks.
What's the difference between PCP, HP and a personal loan?
PCP and HP are both finance options that are secured against your car. A personal loan is unsecured. For more information about these, read our guide to car finance types.
During your car finance application
How long does it take for car finance to be approved?
We try and give an instant decision, but sometimes your application might be referred to our Underwriting team. Once you've been approved, we may be able to pay the dealer on the same day (working days only).
How do I contact you to discuss my car finance application?
To get in touch with one of our friendly members of staff, please contact us here.
Why do you need the dealership's information?
We complete dealership checks as part of the application process to confirm if the dealership is a VAT-registered company, to prevent fraud and to make sure your car purchase runs as smoothly as possible. If you're approved, we also use this information to transfer the funds straight to the dealership.
Existing car finance customers
Can I log into my account online?
Yes, you can now view your account online. You’ll already have an account set up so just sign in here to view or make changes to your agreement. We’re continuously making improvements to our website so keep an eye out for newly added features.
Can I change my mileage on PCP?
Unfortunately, no. You need to estimate your annual mileage as accurately as possible before signing your agreement. If you go over your annual mileage allowance you'll be charged a fee per mile at the end of your agreement.
Can I change the car on my finance agreement?
Unfortunately, you are unable to change your car mid-agreement. The only way this will be possible is to settle the existing car finance and open a new agreement.
Struggling to make payments
What support can Admiral offer if I’m experiencing financial difficulties?
We understand that our customers' circumstances may change, and we want to do the best we can to support you. If you're unable to make your usual monthly payments, there's a few ways we can help.
Firstly, we'd want to understand your current circumstances and what you're able to afford. Please complete our contact form to explain your circumstances.
Where can I obtain free independent advice?
Free independent help and advice can be found from the following charities and organisations. Some organisations may also be able to offer face to face options if preferred.
- Money Advice Service - 0800 138 7777 - www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk
- National Debt Line - 0808 808 4000 - www.nationaldebtline.org
- StepChange Debt Charity - 0800 138 1111 - www.stepchange.org
- Citizens Advice - 03444 77 20 20 - www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Alternatively, useful information can also be found on
- The FCA - ‘Dealing with financial difficulties during the coronavirus pandemic’
- The Money Advice Service Money Navigator Tool
- The Money Advice Service Debt Locator Tool
Will any support you offer impact my credit file?
This will depend on what support we provide. We’ll advise you of any potential impact to your credit file once we determine the appropriate support.