Being self-employed often means more control over your time and work. But lenders may see your income as less predictable. That could make self employed car finance for bad credit feel harder to get.
At Go Car Credit, you could apply for car finance for self-employed people, even if you have had CCJs or defaults in the past. You could choose a used car from our approved dealers across the UK.
Car finance could help you build a stronger credit history if you make your payments on time. This may show lenders that you can manage credit responsibly. Over time, this could help your credit profile and may improve access to other credit, depending on your circumstances.
We are a direct lender not a broker. That means you could deal with us throughout the process. This page explains car finance when self employed, with a focus on poor credit and real-life paperwork.
Step 1: Calculate your monthly repayments
Step 2: Apply and track your application online, in real time (No login or app needed)
Representative example – Total amount of credit £10,500, annual interest rate 18.25% (fixed), charge for credit £9,886.25 (£9,581.25 interest, £295 admin fee and £10 option to purchase fee), total amount payable £20,386.25. Loan term of 60 monthly instalments, 59 payments of £339.60 and 1 final instalment of £349.60. 34.5% Representative APR – Subject to status and affordability.
Self-employed people could get car finance through standard options such as Hire Purchase. You may need to show your income is steady enough for the payments.
Lenders may focus on affordability and income that is fairly consistent. They may ask for 1–3 years of records to reduce risk.
At Go Car Credit, we start with a soft search. It gives us a basic view of your credit history and helps us see how much you could borrow. It does not affect your credit score.
Yes. You could be accepted if the checks fit and the deal is affordable.
Self-employment is common in the UK. In 2025 Q3, there were about 4.07 million self-employed jobs. In 2025 Q1 it was about 4.34 million. In 2024 Q4 it was about 4.28 million. These figures come from the Office for National Statistics.
If you are self-employed, lenders may look closely at your income pattern. Even so, self employed car finance could still be possible with the right evidence and a budget that fits.
Lenders must check that credit is affordable. This is part of responsible lending rules set by the Financial Conduct Authority.
If you are employed, payslips can show a steady wage. If you are self-employed, income can change each month. So lenders may ask for more proof, to see what you earn on average.
To keep it simple, we could ask for up to three months’ bank statements. We could use them to estimate your average monthly income. This helps us decide what level of borrowing could be affordable.
Yes, in some cases. Past credit issues like defaults and CCJs do not always mean an automatic no.
If you miss payments, your credit file could get worse over time. That can include bringing down your credit score.
With Go Car Credit, you could still be considered even if you have been declined elsewhere. We review applications based on the full picture, not one single factor.
Hire Purchase is a common option if you do not want to pay the full price of a car upfront. With Hire Purchase, you pay fixed monthly amounts. If you keep to the deal, you could own the car after the final payment.
We look at each case on its own merits. We may ask for the items below.
Mainstream lenders can be strict, especially if you have poor credit. We aim to keep things clear and straightforward.
No deposit could be an option. This depends on your checks and the car. We can talk you through what could be realistic for you.
You can choose a car from our dealer network across the UK, including Portsmouth, Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester and Glasgow. If you have questions about how our finance process works, feel free to call our team on 01925 696 373.
Applying for car finance when self employed could feel stressful, especially if you have been declined before. We aim to keep it simple and clear.
Start by completing our online application form. We will review your details and get back to you when we can. If you are eligible, we will ask for your car details and an online signature.
There is no charge to apply and no obligation to go ahead if you change your mind.
There are steps you could take that may help, especially if you have poor credit. You can also check the tips in our resources section.
