Bad Credit Car Loans
Not sure where you stand? We're Helping Kiwis take control with bad credit car loans. Online, fast, and judgement-free.
- ✔ Bad Credit Loans
- ✔ Eligibility In Minutes
- ✔ No-obligation Pre-Check
Competitive rates from 10.95% p.a. T&Cs apply.
Bad Credit? No Problem.
Your past shouldn’t decide your future. At CarPow, we assess every application individually — including defaults, court judgements, and discharged bankruptcies. Fast, fair, and 100% online.
Apply Now Fast • Easy • OnlineCredit or Non-Credit Defaults
- Recent or historic defaults considered
- Flexible options for varied circumstances
Court Judgements
- Settled or ongoing repayments considered
- No need to wait until fully cleared
Bankruptcy
- Discharged applications welcomed
- Get back on the road with CarPow
*While we consider all applications and aim to provide the best possible outcome, approval is not guaranteed. Each application is assessed individually and subject to lending criteria.
How Do Our Car Loans Work?
At CarPow, we know credit isn’t one-size-fits-all. We look beyond the numbers to give real people real chances. Here's what matters most:
✅ Affordability Comes First
Can you comfortably afford the repayments? That’s more important than your past. We check what matters now, not years ago.
🏦 Bank Account Behaviour Counts
Stable banking activity and no bounced payments can boost your chances — even if your credit history isn’t perfect.
📉 Not All Bad Credit Is the Same
Missed a power bill? That’s not the same as defaulting on a car loan. We treat every situation uniquely and fairly.
🤝 No Judgment, Just Help
Our team works with you, not against you. We help thousands every day get into a car with straight-up support and zero judgment.
Thousands of Kiwis Trust CarPow
We're NZ’s friendliest car finance team. Check our verified reviews, see how we’ve helped people just like you — and start your journey today.
Check My Eligibility NowWhy our customers keep coming back 👋
Fast approvals, fair rates, friendly team — the CarPow way.
“Quick approval and super clear communication.”
“Fair rates and a friendly team.”
“Zero stress from apply to keys.”
“So fast. On the road in no time.”
“So simple. No drama, just done.”
“Super smooth from start to finish.”
Why We’re Different 💡
You don’t need a perfect history — you just need a fair go. We make the process clear, fast, and judgement-free.
⚡ Fast Online Approval
Quick eligibility check that won’t affect your credit score.
🤝 Multiple Lenders
More choice means a higher chance of a fair ‘yes’.
💰 No Deposit Options
Keep your cash. Start smarter with flexible terms.
How It Works
Apply Online
Quick 2-minute form to get started.
Get Pre-Approved
We match you to the best lender. No impact to credit.
Choose Your Car
Pick from nationwide dealers or tell us what you want.
Drive Away
Sign online. We sort the rest.
Start Your Application Today
Only takes 2–5 minutes
Our team is only as good as those we work alongside
We only work with trusted partners
See Where You Stand — and What Comes Next
Our portal doesn’t just show you your credit status — it shows you the plan. CarPow gives you instant visibility into what’s holding you back and how to get approved faster.
From affordability to account conduct, everything’s explained in real time. It’s simple, powerful, and designed to help you win — even when banks have said no before.
💸 Discover Your Rate Instantly
Choose your credit score and see what you could be paying on a $15,000 car loan.
🚗 Fresh Picks Just In
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Refined European hatchback
Subaru IMPREZA XV 2015
Compact AWD crossover
BMW X1 2016
Premium compact SUV
Mazda CX-5 2012
Practical mid-size SUV
Subaru IMPREZA SPORTS 2017
Sporty hatch with AWD grip
Ford Fiesta 2015
Fuel-efficient city hatch
Subaru XV 2016
All-wheel drive crossover
Mazda CX-5 2013
Versatile family-friendly SUV
Subaru LEVORG 2014
Turbo wagon with AWD handling
Subaru IMPREZA XV 2014
Compact SUV with grip
Mercedes-Benz A180 2014
Luxury hatch with smart design
Suzuki SWIFT 2019
Reliable and economical hatch
Bad Credit Car Loans Why Waste your time anywhere else
Why Choose CarPow
No Obligation
Apply online with CarPow with no obligation to take out a loan.
No Judgement
All credit histories and circumstances considered.
Anytime, Anywhere
Apply and arrange your finance from the comfort of home.
We Have Great Answers
Ask Us Anything
In the current age of the Internet it’s very difficult to identify a finance provider or arranger who can actually carry out the service they advertise, especially if it’s a bad credit car loan. Its not difficult to put together an image for an advert that proclaims selling points such as *Approved with bad credit loans *Work visa and beneficiary no problem * We help everyone! Im sure you have seen plenty yourself and all we believe this does is dilute the message from the real companies out there.
CarPow are the real deal and can fully back up our statement to be able to offer Car Loans for bad credit. Why would we waste our time if we couldn’t?
This is one of the biggest mysteries when it comes to applying for a finance product such as a used car loan. It is possibly the very top concern of CarPow customers and can cause many people to simply not apply in the first place as let’s face it no one really likes rejection. Often those with bad credit will just not bother applying from past experience with car dealerships or high street banks who only really like those with average to great credit profiles.
We have found from our own customers that they can apply at places who simply don’t have the skills or capabilities to do what they say and it creates a kind of application apathy. Many of our real life customers had unfortunate experiences before they applied to us. It could be as simple as applying with their bank for a personal loan for a car and being told it was declined or as embarrassing as visiting a car dealership.
Let’s face it, taking your perfect car on a test drive before sitting at the salesman’s desk eagerly awaiting the approval so you can sign your loan paperwork to only be told you are unable to be accepted is high up there on the ‘ground swallow me up’ life experiences. Getting a car loan with bad credit is certainly less stressful using an online company instead of seeing some one in person.
The online CarPow application form is a start but not ALL of the process as you will see shortly. Unfortunately every month we have hundreds of applicants who start the process but continue no further. Many expect their name and address to be enough to decide the outcome of their case but no it does require a touch more involvement.
The term responsible lending can apply to any type of financial service, but most certainly bad credit car loans. The decision making process involved in approval or decline and its certainly relevant when it comes to vehicle loans.
A finance company has certain obligations in regards to allowing a customer to accrue a liability in the form of loan debt. The main focus of this is to ensure they act responsibly in granting car loan approval and carry out a certain level of investigation before doing this. This is why we require 3 full months of bank statements for all parties to a car loan as it literally shows everything being purchased or paid for – for 90 days. A lender will analyse to work out how much is being spent against how much is coming in. If the lender cannot clearly demonstrate that the new car loan wont put the customer into financial hardship – the loan cant be approved.
This usually means that before the new repayments are taken into account a person should have approx. $1000 left over.
A final part of the Bad Credit Car Loan application process is the credit check and popular opinion is that this is the most important aspect. This is not correct. A credit check mostly determines the level of risk involved to the lender as shows what has occurred on previous financial products taken out. If a customer has clearly demonstrated they can afford the loan – a credit check is secondary in the approval process.
This is why those with bad credit can secure a second chance with car loans for bad credit.
Nothing is unworkable apart from existing bankruptcy – as those who are bankrupt are forbidden from taking out new finance. Also very recent Bad Credit of car repossessions or loan defaults would need a strong explanation as to why they occurred as it does indicate an applicant is having difficulty with financial hardship.
As we have discovered financial hardship makes approving a new loan facility very hard as should this new loan default once more and is taken to court for recovery of the outstanding balance a judge will ask why it was approved.
The age of your credit file will also play a part in the strength of your application – especially if you are looking for a bad credit car loan. If it has only been active for a short time frame this is ok if you are young but suspicious if not. Questions could be asked about possible name changes or periods living overseas.
Absolutely! We understand that bad credit can be a challenge when it comes to securing financing, but we have helped many customers with less-than-perfect credit obtain car loans. We wouldn’t offer this service if we didn’t believe we could help, and we are committed to finding solutions that work for our customers. Our team of experts will work with you to find the best loan options available, regardless of your credit history.