Oodle Articles

What credit score do I need for a personal loan?

22 Jul 2024

There’s no such thing as a minimum credit score that will guarantee you credit. But it’s certainly true that the better your credit score, the better your chances of being approved for a loan. Read on to find out how to get there.

What shouldn't you use a personal loan for?

18 Jul 2024

You can use your personal loan for various personal expenses. However, you can’t and shouldn’t just do whatever you want with it. There are certain restrictions and limitations. Knowing these limitations will helps you stay on the right side of the law and avoid financial trouble so let’s find out the kinds of things you shouldn’t be relying on a personal loan for.

Can I get car finance without a guarantor?

10 Jul 2024

If you’re thinking about financing a car, you may have heard about guarantors. A guarantor is someone who agrees to pay a borrower’s debt if they fail to meet their payments. When you have a guarantor, they will make your payments for you if you can’t keep up with them. It’s usually someone close to you, like a trusted friend or family member.

Will a car loan hurt my credit score?

5 Jul 2024

When you take out a car loan, or any loan, this gets reported to credit agencies and the loan appears on your credit report, where it will stay for several years. How you manage your loan payments will affect your credit score and your credit history positively or negatively.

Crashed financed car: next steps

28 Jun 2024

Crashing your car is stressful enough, but it can feel even more complicated if the car is financed. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s important to know what steps to take next. This guide will walk you through what to do if you crash a financed car.

Stolen car on finance: what now?

28 Jun 2024

The only thing worse than having a car stolen, is having a car on finance stolen. If you’re still paying it off, it can feel like adding insult to injury. Thankfully car theft is rare, but it does happen. If it happens to you, try not to panic, there are things you can do to make the whole experience easier to deal with. Grab yourself a cuppa and read on.

How car finance affects mortgages

28 Jun 2024

If you’re thinking of applying for a mortgage, you might be wondering if car finance has any effect on your chances of being successful. The answer is yes, car finance can impact your ability to get a mortgage, especially if your finance arrangement still has a long time to run.

Can students get car finance?

4 Jun 2024

Getting a car is a dream for many young people, and for students, it can change their lives. But is it possible for students to get car finance?

How much finance is left on my car?

31 May 2024

Unsure of your remaining car finance? Don’t worry – our guide explores the ways you can find out how much car is finance left on your car.

What is a settlement figure?

30 May 2024

If you have a car finance agreement and you want to end it early, the settlement figure is the amount of money you need to pay to close the loan.

How long does it take to apply for a secured loan?

10 May 2024

Gain a clearer understanding of what’s involved, and the time it takes, to access a secured loan.

Can someone else drive my financed car?

7 May 2024

Providing that the other person has a full clean driving licence and that the appropriate insurance is in place, then yes – another person can drive your financed car. Read on for the must-know rules.

Graphic showing an ID card with a person's image and a green checkmark indicating approval.
Graphic showing an ID card with a person's image and a green checkmark indicating approval.
Graphic showing an ID card with a person's image and a green checkmark indicating approval.

What checks are done when you make a car finance application?

18 Apr 2024

When you apply for car finance, the finance company will run some checks on you. Here’s everything you need to know about what you can expect.

Cartoon image of blue car, with a website image showing a credit score rating.
Cartoon image of blue car, with a website image showing a credit score rating.
Cartoon image of blue car, with a website image showing a credit score rating.

How does car finance impact your credit score?

18 Apr 2024

Keeping your financial well-being in check will undoubtedly mean questions along the way. This article explores the impact that taking out car finance has on your credit score.

Illustration of stack of money with a stopwatch next to it.
Illustration of stack of money with a stopwatch next to it.
Illustration of stack of money with a stopwatch next to it.

How long does a secured loan take?

16 Apr 2024

Gain a clearer understanding of the what’s involved, and the time it takes, to access a secured loan.

Graphic of approved Oodle check with key and green tick next to it.
Graphic of approved Oodle check with key and green tick next to it.
Graphic of approved Oodle check with key and green tick next to it.

Is it hard to get car finance? Breaking down the process

26 Mar 2024

Ever wondered about car finance but worry that it is hard to get? We’ve got you covered. Gain practical insights and useful tips to help you on your way to car finance success.

Screenshot of credit reference agencies and what they consider a Poor, Fair, Good and Excellent credit score.
Screenshot of credit reference agencies and what they consider a Poor, Fair, Good and Excellent credit score.
Screenshot of credit reference agencies and what they consider a Poor, Fair, Good and Excellent credit score.

Navigating finances: what is a 'bad' credit score?

25 Mar 2024

Discover what defines a bad credit score. Get an understanding of the detail so you can make better financial decisions and understand credit challenges.

What documents do I need for a secured loan?

15 Mar 2024

Ready to apply for a secured loan? Make sure you’re up to speed with everything you’ll need for a hassle-free car finance application.

Drawing of floating yellow key, beneath which is an upturned palm.
Drawing of floating yellow key, beneath which is an upturned palm.
Drawing of floating yellow key, beneath which is an upturned palm.

Can car finance be transferred to someone else?

5 Mar 2024

If your circumstances change, you might wonder if it’s possible to transfer your car finance to another party. Here, we assess your options.

Section of a table with the headings "Secured Loan", "Unsecured Loan" and "Characteristic".
Section of a table with the headings "Secured Loan", "Unsecured Loan" and "Characteristic".
Section of a table with the headings "Secured Loan", "Unsecured Loan" and "Characteristic".

Banking choices: secured vs unsecured loans

4 Mar 2024

Ever wondered why banks lean towards secured or unsecured loans? Let's dive into the world of loans, exploring the details behind their choices.

Cartoon image of a blue car with a 'For Sale' sign placed next to it.
Cartoon image of a blue car with a 'For Sale' sign placed next to it.
Cartoon image of a blue car with a 'For Sale' sign placed next to it.

How much is a car on finance in the UK? Unveiling costs

27 Feb 2024

Demystify the costs of car finance in the UK with our comprehensive guide. Here, we uncover exactly how much car finance will cost you, giving you essential insights for informed decision-making.

Refusal illustration
Refusal illustration
Refusal illustration

Exploring the reasons why car finance gets refused

20 Feb 2024

Navigating car finance can be challenging, especially when faced with application refusal. Here we explore common pitfalls in the application process and gain insights into how to confidently overcome obstacles on your journey to approval.

Disadvantages
Disadvantages
Disadvantages

Understanding the downsides to financing a car

18 Feb 2024

Ready to dive into the nitty-gritty of car financing? Our guide, 'Understanding the downsides to financing a car', spills the beans on what to watch out for, so you can cruise through the process with confidence. Let's break it down!

V5C logbook
V5C logbook
V5C logbook

What is a V5C?

12 Feb 2024

Buying a car with finance can be thrilling, but questions about ownership can quickly put the brakes on your excitement. Worry not! Here we unpick the sometimes-confusing world of V5C names and car finance, clarifying who’s legally responsible and offering safe routes for the road ahead.

Drawing of a blue car with a sticky note saying "Car buying trends".
Drawing of a blue car with a sticky note saying "Car buying trends".
Drawing of a blue car with a sticky note saying "Car buying trends".

Car buying trends in the automotive industry: ones to watch

14 Dec 2023

As the UK motor industry recovers from the pandemic, we explore the trends that could shape the future of the sector, for manufacturers, dealers and customers alike.

Photo of Phillip Willams, Co-founder & Director of Oodle.
Photo of Phillip Willams, Co-founder & Director of Oodle.
Photo of Phillip Willams, Co-founder & Director of Oodle.

Testing times ahead – but motor trade’s legendary resilience will see it through

6 Dec 2023

Phillip Williams, Co-Founder and Director of Oodle Car Finance, predicts a bumpy road for the first six months – but a brighter outlook for the second half of the year. The automotive industry has always been a remarkably resilient trade and we’ve seen this in abundance in 2023. Despite the cost of living crisis and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, both sales and prices have held up.

Green drawing of a tyre with a tick next to it.
Green drawing of a tyre with a tick next to it.
Green drawing of a tyre with a tick next to it.

How to look after your car when you're not using it

28 Nov 2023

From time to time, you may not need to use your car. This could be due to illness, because you’re away, you’re trying to save money on fuel, or simply down to bad weather. Whatever the reason, the last thing you want is for your car to conk out while it’s not being used. Read on to find out how to keep your car in good shape if you won’t be driving it for a while.

dealership
dealership
dealership

Today, it's all about the experience - and not just online.

8 Apr 2022

White goods, TVs, stereos and other big household purchases were once considered important enough to warrant a visit to a store

Designer
Designer
Designer

The road to recovery

28 Feb 2022

If you are currently in a payment break, we will contact you around 20 days before your next payment is due. There is no need to contact us before then.

Screen saying "Oodle Car Finance" as they received 14th position award.
Screen saying "Oodle Car Finance" as they received 14th position award.
Screen saying "Oodle Car Finance" as they received 14th position award.

Oodle Car Finance makes "Sunday Times 100 Best Mid Companies to Work for"

25 Feb 2020

Extraordinary levels of employee engagement cited by judges

A person looking at cars on an electronic tablet in a coffee shop.
A person looking at cars on an electronic tablet in a coffee shop.
A person looking at cars on an electronic tablet in a coffee shop.

Car buying - will "click and deliver" be the new way in?

28 Oct 2019

The road ahead for car buying

A woman on a couch with a tablet showing a green car.
A woman on a couch with a tablet showing a green car.
A woman on a couch with a tablet showing a green car.

The Future of Car Buying

28 Oct 2019

What will we be driving in the next 10 years? Diesel? Electric? Hybrid? Hydrogen?