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Last updated and reviewed - 5 October 2026
Can I Get Car Finance with a CCJ?
Yes, having a County Court Judgment (CCJ) does not automatically stop you from getting car finance. Some lenders, including direct lenders who specialise in poor credit car finance with CCJs and defaults, will consider applications from people with CCJs, defaults, and other adverse credit. The outcome depends on the lender, the size and age of the CCJ, and whether your overall financial situation shows you can manage repayments.
Many people assume a CCJ automatically means they will be declined. In reality, lenders assess applications differently, and some specialist lenders consider affordability, income and current circumstances alongside previous credit issues.
This guide covers what you need to know before applying.
A County Court Judgment, or CCJ, is a court decision about a debt in England and Wales. It normally stays on the register and your credit file for six years from the judgment date. If you pay it in full within one month, you can ask the court to have it removed. If you pay later, it can be marked as satisfied, meaning paid, but normally stays for the rest of the six years. Keep proof of payment and contact the court to update the record.
Yes, a CCJ may affect whether you are offered finance and the terms available. Lenders have different criteria. AutoMoney Trust considers applications from people with CCJs, but approval is not guaranteed. We assess your current circumstances as well as your credit history.
Yes, you may be able to get car finance with a satisfied CCJ. Satisfied means the debt has been paid in full. It does not automatically remove the CCJ from your credit file or guarantee approval. The one-month removal rule is explained above. We also consider your current income, spending and ability to afford the repayments.
AutoMoney Trust does not require a guarantor. We consider applications from people with CCJs and defaults, subject to our lending criteria and affordability checks. Our initial eligibility check uses a soft search and does not affect your credit score.
A default on your credit report means a lender has recorded that the credit agreement has broken down. It usually stays for six years from the default date, even if you later pay the debt. Having CCJs and defaults may affect your finance options, but approval also depends on the lender’s criteria and your current circumstances
The amount available to you will depend on your income, your outgoings, the age and size of the CCJ, and the lender's own criteria. Lenders who work with poor credit applicants will run an affordability assessment to make sure the repayments are manageable, regardless of your credit history.
AutoMoney Trust lends between £4,000 and £25,000 over terms of 36 to 84 months with no deposit required where the full car price is within the amount we agree to lend. Use our car finance calculator to get an idea of what monthly payments might look like at different loan amounts and terms.
A CCJ can affect the offers available to you. Compare the APR, payment schedule and total amount payable before deciding. For the same amount borrowed at the same interest rate, a longer term usually lowers the monthly payment but increases the total interest.
Our initial eligibility check uses a soft search. You can see it on your credit report, but it does not affect your credit score and other lenders do not see it when assessing applications. If you choose to continue with a full application, we carry out a hard search, which other lenders can see and which may affect your score. An eligibility result is not a guarantee of approval.
There are a few things that can improve your chances of approval and the terms you are offered:
Being turned down by one or more lenders does not mean no lender will approve you. Mainstream lenders and specialist poor credit lenders use very different criteria. If you have been refused elsewhere, our guide on what to do if you have been refused car finance covers the next steps and what your options are.
Car finance can affect your credit score positively or negatively depending on how you manage your agreement. Making regular, on-time payments can help build a positive credit history and demonstrate responsible borrowing, while late or missed payments can negatively affect your credit score and make it more difficult or expensive to access credit in the future.
If payments are not made on time, they may be reported to credit reference agencies, which can lower your credit score and make future borrowing more difficult or potentially more expensive.
A lender may carry out a hard credit search when you apply. Other lenders can see it on your credit report, and it may affect your score. Several hard searches close together may affect how lenders assess you.
For more information about how applications are assessed, read our guide on Credit Checks for Car Finance.
AutoMoney Trust offers a fixed interest rate, so your rate will not rise during the agreement. Your payment schedule is agreed at the start. The first or final payment may be different if it includes a fee, so check the full schedule when planning your budget. With a variable interest rate, the rate and payments may change. Compare the APR, payment schedule and total amount payable before deciding.
The length of your car finance agreement can have a significant impact on both your monthly payments and the total cost of borrowing.
Choosing a longer finance term, such as 60 or 84 months, spreads the cost of the vehicle over a greater number of payments. This can make your monthly payments more affordable, but it may mean you pay more interest overall throughout the agreement.
A shorter car finance term, such as 36 months, usually results in higher monthly payments because the balance is repaid over a shorter period. However, paying the agreement off sooner can reduce the overall amount of interest paid, making it a potentially lower-cost option over the full term.
When choosing the right finance term, it is important to consider your budget, monthly affordability, and how long you plan to keep the vehicle. The best option is one that allows you to comfortably manage your payments without putting unnecessary pressure on your finances.
AutoMoney Trust offers car finance terms from 36 to 84 months, giving you flexibility to choose an agreement that suits your circumstances. Use our car finance calculator to compare different term lengths and understand how your monthly payments and overall costs could change before applying.
Yes, you can end a regulated hire purchase agreement by giving notice before the final payment falls due, while the agreement is still in place. You do not have to wait until you have paid half. You must return the car and may still owe money, including a shortfall towards half the total payable, arrears or charges for failing to take reasonable care of the car. You do not have to clear that balance before giving notice. Ask us for an itemised calculation. If you have paid more than half, voluntary termination does not refund the extra payments.
