Car Loan · Calculator

Car Loan Repayment Calculator

Calculate monthly car loan repayments for new and used vehicles. See total interest, total cost, and payoff time. Free Australian car finance calculator.

New & used vehiclesBalloon payment option
01INPUTS

The purchase price of the car before deposit.

Cash deposit or trade-in value.

Comparison rate may be higher — check with lender.

Typically 1–7 years for car loans.

Optional. Leave empty or 0 for no balloon.

02RESULTS
Monthly repayment$701.33
Effective loan amount$35,000
Total interest$7,080
Total cost$42,080
Payoff time (years)5.0
New vs used, balloon vs no balloon

This calculator works for both new and used car loans. If you are comparing new vs used, try entering different vehicle prices to see how the monthly repayment changes. Used cars are cheaper upfront but may attract a higher interest rate from some lenders.

A balloon payment is optional — leave it at zero for a standard fully-amortising loan. If you add a balloon, your monthly repayments drop but you will pay more total interest and need to settle the residual at the end of the term. Run a scenario with and without the balloon using our balloon payment calculator.

Balloon payments and residual values

A balloon payment (also called a residual) is a lump sum you defer to the end of the loan instead of paying it off across the term. Setting one lowers your monthly repayment because you are only financing the non-balloon portion, but the trade-off is more total interest and a large final payment to fund. On a $40,000 loan at 7.5% over 5 years, a 30% balloon ($12,000) cuts the monthly repayment from $802 to $636 — but adds roughly $2,073 in total interest and leaves the full $12,000 due at the end of the term, whether you pay it out, refinance it, or trade in the car.

Model your own balloon size and term with our car loan balloon payment calculator, or read the balloon payments explained guide for how lenders set residual value limits and what happens if the car is worth less than the balloon at term end.

Car loan repayments at a glance

Indicative monthly repayments at 7.5% p.a. over a 5-year term, no balloon:

Loan amountMonthly repayment
$20,000 $401
$35,000 $701
$50,000 $1,002

Based on the reference rate above (7.5% p.a., last reviewed 2026-05-02). New cars typically attract lower rates and used cars higher — use the calculator above for your own vehicle price and rate.

An alternative: novated leasing

If you're a PAYG employee, a novated lease lets your employer pay for the car (and often running costs) out of your pre-tax salary, which can reduce your taxable income — especially valuable for electric vehicles that are FBT-exempt. It isn't always cheaper than a standard car loan once fees and residual values are factored in, so it's worth comparing. See our novated lease guide and novated lease calculator to compare against the repayments above.

More car loan tools
FAQ
What is the difference between a secured and unsecured car loan?
A secured car loan uses the vehicle as collateral, which usually gives you a lower interest rate. If you default, the lender can repossess the car. An unsecured car loan does not use the car as security, but the interest rate is generally higher and the loan term is often shorter.
How do balloon payments affect my car loan repayments?
A balloon payment is a lump sum due at the end of the loan term. By setting aside a portion of the loan as a balloon — typically 20% to 40% — your monthly repayments are lower because you are only paying down the non-balloon portion plus interest. However, the total interest paid over the loan is higher, and you must have the balloon amount available at the end of the term.
What deposit do I need for a car loan in Australia?
Most Australian lenders want at least 10% to 20% deposit. A trade-in vehicle counts toward your deposit. A larger deposit reduces the loan amount, which means lower monthly repayments and less total interest over the life of the loan.
Is a balloon payment worth it on a car loan?
It depends on your priority. A balloon lowers your monthly repayment because you're only paying down the non-balloon portion of the loan, but you pay more total interest and must fund the residual — as a lump sum or via refinance — at the end of the term. On a $40,000 loan at 7.5% over 5 years, a 30% balloon ($12,000) drops the monthly repayment from $802 to $636 but adds roughly $2,073 in total interest and leaves a $12,000 balance due at term end. A balloon suits buyers who value lower repayments now and plan to refinance, trade in, or sell the car before or at the balloon due date.