If you want to pay off your car loan as fast as you can without being financially penalised, you should look for a car loan with no early exit fees, as well as similar fees like extra repayment fees and redraw fees.

Compare low rate car loans with no early exit fees

The table below features some of the lowest rate car loans that don’t charge early exit fees

Update resultsUpdate
LenderCar LoanInterest Rate Comparison Rate* Monthly Repayment Interest Type Vehicle Type Maximum Vehicle Age Ongoing Fee Upfront Fee Total Repayment Early Repayment Instant Approval Online Application TagsFeaturesLinkCompare
6.69% p.a.
7.81% p.a.
$590
Fixed
New
1 year
$8
$400
$35,379
Approval within 24 hours
  • Save the planet. Save thousands on your car loan.
  • Get a discounted rate if you buy electric
  • Required: Good credit history, stable employment history. Aus citizenship or PR.
7.19% p.a.
8.31% p.a.
$597
Fixed
New
1 year
$8
$400
$35,804
Approval within 24 hoursEarly payout available
  • Required: Good credit history, stable employment history. Aus citizenship or PR.
7.99% p.a.
9.10% p.a.
$608
Fixed
Used
5 years
$8
$400
$36,489
  • Required: Good credit history, stable employment history. Aus citizenship or PR.
6.57% p.a.
7.19% p.a.
$588
Fixed
New
No Max
$0
$250
$35,278
Loan amounts from $2k to $75k
  • Available for any new motorised vehicle
  • No ongoing or early exit fees
  • 1-7 years loan terms. Pay monthly, fortnightly, or weekly
  • Get quick decision. Funds in 24 hrs if approved
6.45% p.a.
6.72% p.a.
$586
Fixed
New
3 years
$0
$195
$35,177
6.49% p.a.
6.86% p.a.
$587
Fixed
New, Used
2 years
$0
$195
$35,211
Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

All products with a link to a product provider’s website have a commercial marketing relationship between us and these providers. These products may appear prominently and first within the search tables regardless of their attributes and may include products marked as promoted, featured or sponsored. The link to a product provider’s website will allow you to get more information or apply for the product. By de-selecting “Show online partners only” additional non-commercialised products may be displayed and re-sorted at the top of the table. For more information on how we’ve selected these “Sponsored”, “Featured” and “Promoted” products, the products we compare, how we make money, and other important information about our service, please click here.

The comparison rates in this table are based on a loan of $30,000 and a term of 5 years unless indicated otherwise. The comparison rates for car loans and secured personal loans for the relevant amounts and terms are for secured loans unless indicated otherwise. The comparison rates for unsecured personal loans are applicable for unsecured loans only. WARNING: This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. Comparison rates are not calculated for revolving credit products.

Monthly repayment figures are estimates only, exclude fees and are based on the advertised rate for the term and for the loan amount entered. Actual repayments will depend on your individual circumstances and interest rate changes. Rates correct as of . View disclaimer.

Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

What is an early exit fee?

Making extra repayments on your car loan so you can pay it off earlier will reduce the overall cost of the loan. But there are some car loans on the market that charge an early exit fee if you pay off your car loan before the loan term has ended, or if you refinanced to another lender. Early exit fees (also known as early repayment fees) are usually more common in fixed car loans. Variable car loans generally don’t charge an early exit fee and allow extra repayments, which is good if you want to pay off your loan sooner, but fixed car loans are more common.

Most lenders do charge early exit fees because paying off a car loan early comes at a cost to them. They will have budgeted for your loan to be paid out over a certain number of years, which means they would have earned significantly more in interest over the agreed loan term.

What do car loan exit fees cost?

A large number of car loans don’t charge exit fees, so there are quite a few on the market that’ll charge you $0 if you pay it off early. According to Savings.com.au’s research, the lowest early exit fee among those that do charge one we could find was $20, while the highest was $800. The average early exit fee sits around the $150-$200 mark.

Early exit fees on car loans are generally lower than exit fees on home loans because they’re usually priced into the interest rate, but they can still be quite costly especially if you’re with a lender that charges the higher rate of $800.

What are the benefits of paying off your car loan early?

After a home, your car is probably the second biggest purchase you’ll ever make, so it can be smart to pay it off as soon as you can.

Paying off your car loan early can reduce the overall amount of interest you pay, saving you money. But depending on your loan, you may be penalised for doing so. If you’re in a financial position where you can afford to pay off your car loan early, make sure you find out what, if any, exit fees apply.

Sometimes the cost of an early exit fee could outweigh any savings in interest you might have made. But if you’ve got other outstanding debts with a higher interest rate such as a credit card, you should prioritise paying that off first.

To make extra repayments (and to withdraw them if necessary) your lender may also charge you.

Car loan extra repayment fees

The vast majority of car loans allow customers to make extra repayments. Only a few don’t, while a good number also let you make one-of lump sum repayments as well. Depending on the loan you may be charged a fee for making extra repayments, but $0 for this is more common. Check with your lender if they charge one.

Car loan redraw fees

A redraw facility on a car loan lets you withdraw any of the extra funds you’ve paid ahead of schedule should you need them. This is essentially the same as a home loan redraw facility, and redrawing these funds can negate the interest benefits of extra repayments.

Roughly half of car loans come with a redraw facility, Savings.com.au research found, and the fees for redraws are often $0 but can vary. For one example, St. George and other Westpac-affiliated banks charge a $10 redraw fee each time.

Many lenders also have minimum and maximum redraw limits, which can be as low as $1-$50 and as high as $30,000.

How to repay your car loan early

Increase your repayment frequency

One of the easiest ways to pay off your car loan early is to change the frequency of your repayments. Because there are 12 months in a year but 26 fortnights and 52 weeks, making fortnightly or weekly repayments can help you make an extra month of repayments without even realising.

Because interest is calculated daily, increasing the frequency of your repayments can lower the amount of interest you owe.

Make additional or lump sum repayments when you can

If you come into additional cash such as your tax refund, you should consider putting this money into your car loan repayments. Making additional repayments can also help you in the future if you miss a repayment.

Savings.com.au’s two cents

Paying off your car loan early can help you save money if there’s no early exit fee, and even if there is a fee, you can still save more in interest costs. But be mindful that zero early withdrawal fees aren’t the only features car loans have to offer that could save you money.

Always compare car loans and take other factors into consideration, including the interest and comparison rates, other fees and features such as a redraw facility which could be more suitable for your needs.

Photo by Craig Adderley from Pexels