Important disclosure

Auto Repair Loans South Africa

It is not unusual for us to need a little extra cash. Whether it’s for auto repair or a personal emergency, we can help you find the best deal by comparing auto repair loan options among South African lenders.

To calculate your loan repayments and narrow it down to the right lender for you, simply use our filters below to select the loan amount and then adjust the duration of the loan to suit your budget.

Calculate repayments

Loan Amount

R20,000

Term

3 months

Arcadia Finance

Consolidation Loans

Estimated Month Repayments
Interest Rate
15.00%
APR
Repayment Period
12 months
to 72 months
Loan Amounts
R10,000
to R250,000
Arcadia Finance helps you find the best debt consolidation loans from leading South African loan providers by comparing options from authorised banks and lenders. Fill out our free, no-obligation, online application to save hundreds of rands in interest rates and costs.
Arcadia Finance

Personal Loans

Estimated Month Repayments
Interest Rate
15.00%
APR
Repayment Period
12 months
to 72 months
Loan Amounts
R10,000
to R250,000
Arcadia Finance helps you find the best loans from leading South African loan providers by comparing options from authorised banks and lenders. Fill out our free, no-obligation, online application to save hundreds of rands in interest rates and costs.
MyLoan

The Right Personal Loan Matched to You

Estimated Month Repayments
Interest Rate
16.00%
APR
Repayment Period
12 months
to 72 months
Loan Amounts
R5,000
to R250,000
MyLoan is the easiest way to get loan offers from many lenders. With one application, you will be pre-vetted at many lenders and can see which lenders can give a loan to you today!

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Minimum and maximum loan periods vary between 1 months and 10 years. Comparison interest rates vary between 6.55% and 60% p.a. Total interest repayments vary between R685.05 and R844.12 over the life of the loan. *Comparison rate is based on an unsecured loan of R20,000 for a term of 3 years. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. These rates can change without further notice. All rates quoted are per annum. For more information regarding fees click on "View fees & additional info +" for each product or contact the provider.

Auto Repair

Auto repair loans: Find available options in South Africa

There’s no doubt that having a car makes life easier. But, what happens if your car suddenly breaks down and your bank account is low? Sometimes, not having a car is not an option. Instead, the only option might be an auto repair loan that gets your car working as fast as possible.

Whether it’s your fuel injector or transmission that needs fixing, there are several financing options available in South Africa. If that sounds like a workable solution, then keep reading to find out all about auto repair loans and how they can make a difference to your situation.

5 types of car repair loans

  • Personal loans. A good credit score can help you get a low-interest personal loan. Typically, these are unsecured with borrowing limits that are between R2000 and R300 000 and loan terms of up to 72 months. However, to get the best deal and save on cash, a small loan amount with a short term is a more suitable option.
  • Payday loans. If your car repairs can’t wait until month-end then a payday loan can cover you until your salary arrives. Although they have high interest rates, payday loans are one of the most preferred auto repair loans for bad credit.
  • Car title loans. An auto title loan requires you to use your car title as collateral. If you fail to repay, you might lose your vehicle. Therefore, it is best to check what you can afford before applying for this type of loan.
  • Credit cards. If you still haven’t reached the limit on any credit cards you own, a simple swipe can pay for the needed repairs. You then pay back the credit via monthly instalments. It’s also a good idea to apply for a new credit card, especially if it offers a discounted and low starting interest rate. Besides fixing your car problems, this helps to build up credit if the discount is applied over many months.
  • Overdrafts. Like a credit card, an overdraft gives you a line of credit that is linked to your bank account. As long as the overdraft fee is not too expensive, you can pay for small car repairs. To avoid late payment fees, check if your account is expected to receive cash before the due date arrives.

What are the common uses of auto repair loans?

An auto repair loan covers many aspects of car repair, including the following:

  • Car parts. Depending on the problem you might need to buy a new car part to replace any defective pieces. The most commonly replaced car parts are batteries, drive belts, alternators, and head gaskets.
  • Towing. If your car breaks down at an inconvenient location, you might have to pay for roadside assistance or towing, especially if your insurance does not cover the service.
  • Labour. The mechanic will charge you for any labour and time spent doing repair and service work. Common car repairs include fixing a blown transmission, suspension, and the engine and cylinders.

However, it might not be a good idea to take out a loan for these non-essentials:

  • Air conditioning;
  • Car radio;
  • Paint repairs; and
  • Car seat upholstery.

How to compare auto repair lenders

When you borrow money, it is best to deal with a trusted lender that understands your auto repair needs. Important things to look out for include:

  • Positive reviews from other customers;
  • Excellent customer service;
  • The lender should be fully registered and authorised to offer financial services;
  • Transparency and honesty when giving out any information related to the loan.

How to compare the best auto repair loans in South Africa

  • Interest rate and APR. An auto repair loan should be affordable with a competitive interest rate and minimum fees. Use the APR or comparison rate to check for low-cost options since it includes the interest rate plus any other charges or fees added to your loan.
  • Flexible payment options. You should be able to get back on the road while paying back your loan at a pace that is comfortable for your wallet. On the other hand, if you wish to make early or additional repayments, you must be able to do so without getting charged a penalty fee.
  • Easy application and fast loan processing. Most auto repairs need an immediate response. Usually, online auto repair loans are recommended since it’s possible to make an application on your phone or computer and receive the cash within minutes.

Auto repair loans: What you need to apply

Lenders will often expect borrowers to meet the following requirements in order to qualify for an auto repair loan:

  • Minimum of 18 years;
  • Valid copies of your South African ID;
  • Proof of income – Your bank statements and payslips;
  • Proof of residence; and
  • A good credit score (this might not be necessary in the case of short term loans for auto repair).

Auto repair loan calculator: Find monthly payments you can afford

The auto repair loan calculator is a convenient tool from CompareLoans. It helps you to find the best loan option in terms of what you have to pay back every month. Begin by adjusting the sliders to choose your loan amount and the repayment period.

Once you click “Calculate Repayment” the results will appear in the comparison tables below the calculator. That means you’ll be able to see the expected monthly payment amount for various lenders for a particular loan.

Applying for an auto repair loan

If your car needs repairs in a hurry, we recommend you make an online application for your auto repair loan. To save you time we have showcased top South African lenders in our comparison tables and you can apply online by clicking the “Go to Site” button of your choice.

5 tips to help you save cash when choosing an auto repair loan

  • Use some of your savings or borrow from family and friends.
  • Look for several quotations instead of going to the nearest mechanic.
  • Ask for a discount on labour and car parts.
  • Check if your insurance can cover some or all of the costs.
  • Avoid financing unnecessary repairs, for example, any cosmetic repairs. Instead, work on building an emergency fund to avoid interest charges and fees in the future.

Paying for auto repair vs. buying a new car

An auto repair loan might be a waste of time if your car has significant damages. Asking yourself these 5 questions helps you to reach a better decision:

  • How much will the repairs cost? – If the car repairs are more than the value of your car, then it’s best to consider vehicle finance.
  • How long will it take? – A quick repair is better than a long vehicle financing process, especially if you rely on your car full time to get from point A to point B.
  • Is the car fully paid for? – You might not be able to afford a new car if you’re still paying off a previous loan.

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