Australian Car Finance Motoring, Market and Policy News
Each week, Australian Car Finance brings a clear, trustworthy wrap of the biggest motoring and market stories. We sift through policy updates, dealership trends, EV developments, ownership costs, consumer rights, and industry data to help you stay informed and confident. Expect concise headlines, plain-English context, and what it means for Australian drivers and car buyers. No hype—just a dependable, repeatable briefing you can catch on your commute, so you’re up to speed before the weekend.
This Week:
This weeks wrap covers the RBAs March rate hike and how banks are reacting, what it means for car finance, the latest market snapshots on secured versus unsecured and new versus used loans, and how rising petrol prices and economic jitters may shape borrowing decisions. Plus, March credit score range refreshes and how to prepare. Practical tips: compare widely, focus on comparison rates and fees, use calculators, secure clean pre-approval, and choose repayment flexibility that fits your budget.
EPISODE 1457 | Australian Car Finance Motoring, Market and Policy News | Wed, 25th Mar 2026
25 Mar 2026 | Paige Estritori
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Read Full Transcript:
Hello and welcome to Australian Car Finance Motoring, Market and Policy News, Im Paige Estritori, and its Wednesday 25 March 2026.
First up, the Reserve Bank of Australia, or RBA, lifted the cash rate last Tuesday, and banks have been adjusting products since. That keeps borrowing costs under pressure, including for car finance, while savings rates edge higher. If youre car shopping, treat this as a price‑check moment: compare widely, look at the comparison rate so fees are baked in, and run the numbers with a car loan calculator before you walk into a dealership.
Next, the car‑loan market itself has been updated this week. Fresh listings show sharper secured offers still sitting in the mid‑single digits, but the spread remains wide depending on your credit profile and whether the car is new or used. The takeaway: dont anchor on a headline rate—filter by secured versus unsecured, new versus used, and total cost over your chosen term. Get a clean pre‑approval so you can negotiate confidently without delaying delivery.
Meanwhile, broader economic signals are mixed. Rate rises and pricier petrol are squeezing household budgets, and that can feed into lenders risk appetite. Keep your repayments buffer realistic, avoid over‑borrowing on optional extras, and check whether a variable loan with fee‑free extra repayments suits you better than a fixed loan that may charge break costs if you pay it down early.
And a quick heads‑up for March: some credit score ranges are being refreshed across parts of the market, which means your number might move even if your behaviour hasnt. Lenders still use their own criteria, so check your score, fix any errors, and use an eligibility check before applying to protect your file.
Thats the wrap. For clear comparisons, handy calculators, and a fast path to pre‑approval, head to australian-car-finance.com. Im Paige Estritori—thanks for listening.
The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.
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Knowledgebase
Collateral: An asset that a borrower offers as a way for a lender to secure the loan.
