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Can Students Finance Cars?

Whether you’re a UK-born or an international student, financing a car can help you get on the road without the upfront cost of buying.

It gives you the flexibility of owning a newer car with all the useful tech you’re after, and the added benefit of some maintenance fees being covered. And after your university course is over, you’ll be able to trade your car back or upgrade to a new deal on a different car to suit your new lifestyle.


In this guide, the car finance experts at Select Car Leasing explore how to get a car on finance as a student.

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Can I Get Car Finance as a Student?

Students can qualify for car finance, but there are several considerations to be aware of.

Before applying for car finance, having a good credit score that demonstrates your ability to make regular payments is important.

Having proof of income and a reliable co-signer can also improve your chances of qualifying for finance. So, it can help to have a part-time job or get a parent to guarantee your agreement.


What are My Options to Finance a Car?

At Select Car Leasing, our finance deals are based around personal contract hire – a form of leasing that lets you pay fixed monthly fees to use a vehicle for a set period.

At the end of the contract, you’re expected to return the car. Personal contract hire usually comes with added benefits like maintenance and warranty coverage.

When picking a car to finance, consider the following:

    • Contract Length: Choose the length of the contract you want. It’s important to think about how long you have left to study and how long it’ll be until you either want to end your contract or upgrade it. The shorter the contract, the higher the monthly payments may be.
      • Choose the Right Vehicle: It’s important to consider which car is right for you before agreeing to sign a car lease. Look for the features, both optional and standard, that come with the lease before making your decision. Do you need more boot space? Is an electric car important to you? Ask yourself the important questions before searching for a model.
        • Check for Included Services: Check if any additional services, such as maintenance or warranty coverage, are included in your lease contract.

Do I Need a Job for Car Finance?

A job, even part-time, will significantly increase your chances of qualifying for a car lease as a student. Reasons why a job can improve your likelihood of being accepted for car finance include:

    • Income Verification: Many finance deals require you to make regular monthly payments. A job, even part-time, proves you can make those payments.
    • Creditworthiness: Regular income also boosts your creditworthiness, especially if you have a limited credit history.
    • Lower Lender Risk: Having a job demonstrates your ability to make repayments on direct debits. Without a regular income into your bank account, lenders may look at you as unreliable.

Cars with smaller engines, like the Dacia Spring or the Mini Aceman Hatchback, may increase your chances of getting approved for finance as a student – as the total costs of the car is lower.

Do You Need a Deposit?

At Select Car Leasing, we allow you to put down an initial deposit to secure your car lease.

A higher initial deposit may even lower monthly costs and improve your chances of approval.

The total price of your monthly payments will consider the length of your contract, any added extras and the size of your initial deposit.

FAQ's

A: Select Car Leasing does not offer leasing deals to those with provisional licenses. To qualify for a car lease, customers must have a full UK driving license along with proof of income, their employment history and, if necessary, any credit history.

Provided an international student has a permanent UK address, a full, valid UK driving license and the required proof of income (plus details of your current monthly income and expenditure), you may qualify for a lease deal with Select Car Leasing.

It will be easier to lease a car if you have a healthy credit status and aren’t in your overdraft. But with the help of a guarantor, you may still be able to lease a car with us using a finance company that specialises in facilitating leases for people with poor credit scores.

A full-time student can get car finance if they have a strong credit history and a guarantor. But it may be more difficult to secure a loan without a regular source of income. Whether or not a student will qualify for a loan depends on their circumstances, so it may be worth contacting us at 0118 920 5130 to see for yourself.

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Leasing Information

Select Car Leasing is a trading style of Select Contracts (UK) Limited and the firm is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN 670832. Select Car Leasing are a credit broker not a lender. Vehicles shown are for illustration purposes only. All offers are subject to change at any time and are subject to finance approval and vehicle availability. Ts and Cs and Arrangement Fees apply. Excess mileage may apply. VAT Registration No 392 2756 72. ICO Registration ZA076253. Company Number 06569098. Select Car Leasing are proud to be a member of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) No 1846. Copyright 2026 Select Car Leasing. All Rights Reserved.

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