Written by
Shaun McGowanThe best chattel mortgage rates in Australia are currently between 4.00% and 6.00% and are fixed for the term of the loan. To get the best — i.e. lowest — rate, a borrower will want to present as little risk to the lender as possible.
Shopping around for the right loan can save you thousands of dollars in interest and fees.
The best current chattel mortgage interest rates in Australia are fixed between 4.00% - 6.00%. The interest rate applied to your chattel mortgage will depend on the lender you choose to apply with and what type of asset you are wishing to finance.
Asset | New or used | Loan term | Loan amount | Interest Rates |
---|---|---|---|---|
Under 4.5 tonne | New | 3 years | $30,000 | 4.79% |
Under 4.5 tonne | Used | 3 years | $30,000 | 5.90% |
Over 4.5 tonne | New | 5 years | $30,000 | 4.39% |
Over 4.5 tonne | Used | 5 years | $30,000 | 5.50% |
When applying for a chattel mortgage, check to see which types of vehicles a lender will finance. For example, some lenders may only finance vehicles less than five years old. The best chattel mortgage rates will be offered on brand-new vehicles.
Vehicle age | Interest rate | Fees |
---|---|---|
Brand-New | 4.00% | $0 |
5 years old | 6.00% | $500 |
12 years old | 7.00% | $1,500 |
Interest rates reflect the level of risk your borrowing presents to a lender. The lower the risk, the lower the interest rates — if you have a good credit history and a high income, you’ll present less risk to a lender than someone with a poor credit history and low income.
Other factors that impact the interest rate applied to your chattel mortgage include:
There are two types of application for a chattel mortgage: streamlined and standard. A streamlined application is the industry term for the simplest type of deal. The type of application will depend on the value of vehicle or vehicles you wish to finance, your time in business, and your credit rating.
Most banks will offer a chattel mortgage, however you’ll find extremely competitive rates from specialist asset finance lenders, or by working with a finance broker. A finance broker will generally make it a lot easier for you than a bank. Often, non-bank lenders will also provide a simple, online application process and sometimes pre-approval.
You can learn more about the different ways to apply by reading our Chattel Mortgage Guide.
Chattel mortgages can be set up to include a balloon amount, which results in lower scheduled repayments at the cost of a higher final payment. Accepting a balloon payment will not give you a lower interest rate, it will only lower your monthly repayment amount due to a large, final payment.
If you choose a balloon payment on your chattel mortgage, you will need to either pay the amount at the end of your finance agreement, or refinance the remaining amount into a new loan.
Feature | Chattel Mortgage 1 | Chattel Mortgage 2 |
---|---|---|
Loan amount | $50,000 | $50,000 |
Loan term | 5 years | 5 years |
Balloon amount | $0 | $20,000 |
Interest rate | 6.00% | 6.00% |
Monthly repayments | $966.64 | $679.98 |
If you really want to get the best interest rate on a chattel mortgage, you’ll need to look at the comparative interest rate — i.e. the actual interest rate once all fees have been taken into account. Sometimes, a slightly higher advertised interest rate can work out to be cheaper than a lower interest rate, once all fees have been taken into account.
You can see in the table below how important it is to work out the actual interest rate you’ll be paying on your loan — it could save you thousands!
Feature | Chattel Mortgage 1 | Chattel Mortgage 2 |
---|---|---|
Amount | $30,000 | $30,000 |
Advertised Interest Rate | 5.00% | 5.50% |
Application Fees | $500 | $0 |
Monthly Fees | $10 | $0 |
Term (Length) | 5 years | 5 years |
Monthly Repayment Amount | $585.57 | $573.03 |
Actual Interest Rate | 6.40% | 5.50% |
Total Amount to Repay | $35,134.20 | $34,381.80 |
Interest rates for a chattel mortgage are usually fixed between 4.00% and 6.00%. Interest rates will vary for chattel mortgages depending on the type and age of asset you are wishing to purchase. Brand-new vehicles under 4.5 tonne will offer the lowest rates.
You can get lower repayments with a balloon amount. A balloon payment is a residual amount paid as a lump sum at the end of your chattel mortgage agreement. A balloon payment can reduce the amount you’ll pay on regular repayments, but it will not give you a lower interest rate.
Chattel mortgage interest rates are relative to the risk-level of the borrower. Lenders assess risk by looking at a borrower’s credit rating, ability to repay the loan, any deposits or security provided on the loan, and the financial strength of your business. The lower your risk level, the lower the interest rate offered.
To compare interest rates on a chattel mortgage and get the best rate for your situation, you’ll need to look at the comparative rate instead of the advertised rate. Unlike the advertised rate, a comparative rate will include all associated fees to provide a more accurate repayment amount. You might even find the lowest rate isn’t always the cheapest option.
Shaun
McGowan
Shaun McGowan
Shaun is the founder of Money.com.au and is determined to help people pay as little as possible for financial products. Through education and building world class technology. Previously Shaun co-founded CarLoans.com.au and Lend.