Car Finance with a Low Credit Score in New Zealand

You can certainly apply. A low credit score doesn't stop you from applying for car finance in New Zealand. Your score is only one part of the picture — your income, your current situation and what you can comfortably afford all matter too. Whether finance is approved depends on your individual circumstances; every application is assessed case by case, and normal lending criteria, fees and terms & conditions apply.

You're still welcome to apply. Past defaults or missed payments don't automatically rule you out — they're one of the factors considered as part of normal lending criteria. We've spent more than 30 years talking people through situations like this, and it costs nothing to ask.

Yes. As a responsible lender, a credit check is a normal part of assessing any car finance application in New Zealand. A low score doesn't mean an automatic no — it simply means we look carefully at your wider situation. If you'd like to understand where you stand before applying, give us a ring and we'll talk it through.

You're welcome to apply. A thin or non-existent credit file doesn't stop you from applying — lenders focus on your income, your ability to afford the repayments and your overall circumstances. This is common for people who are new to New Zealand or who have never borrowed before.

There's no fixed amount — it depends on your income, your living costs and what you can comfortably afford to repay. We'll talk through realistic options for your budget before you commit to anything.

Not always. Whether a deposit is needed depends on the lender and your individual circumstances. A deposit can strengthen your application, but it's not automatically required. Get in touch and we'll let you know what applies to your situation.

Wages, salary, contract and casual income can all be considered. What matters most is that the repayments are affordable for you alongside your everyday living costs. Bring along recent payslips or bank statements and we'll talk you through it.

Yes. You can get help with your application in English, Japanese or Chinese — our team includes Japanese- and Chinese-speaking staff. Day-to-day customer care (7 days a week, 10am to 10pm) is available in English or Japanese.

Customer care is available 7 days a week, from 10am to 10pm, in English or Japanese. Help with loan applications is also available in Chinese.

Bee Finance customers can ring customer care 7 days a week, from 10am to 10pm, about whatever comes up — an accident, a stolen car, or worries about repayments — and we'll talk you through the next steps.

No. Our vehicle site lists quality used cars from trusted NZ dealers, with new cars added every day — but pre-approval isn't tied to one specific car. You can inspect a car with no obligation to buy, and if you find a similar car somewhere else, you can choose that instead. Pre-approval is subject to normal lending criteria.