Car finance that works around your situation.
New, used, dealer or private sale — SERV Finance arranges car and vehicle finance for individuals and businesses across Australia. Every application is handled personally.
What we can help with
- New car finance — dealer or private order
- Used car finance — dealer or private sale
- Refinance an existing car loan
- Prestige and exotic vehicle finance
- Grey import and parallel import vehicles
- Electric and hybrid vehicle finance
- Business vehicle finance — chattel mortgage, finance lease
- Car allowance finance for employees and salary earners
How it works
Tell us about your situation
A quick conversation about what you're buying, your income situation and what you're looking to spend.
We find the right lender
We assess your situation against our panel of 40+ lenders and identify the best fit — not just the first available.
Application and approval
We handle the paperwork and keep you updated throughout. Most approvals are turned around quickly.
Settlement
Once approved, we coordinate settlement with the dealer or seller so you can take delivery.
Financing a vehicle on a car allowance
If you receive a car allowance as part of your salary package — common for sales reps, BDMs, field managers and account managers — it counts as assessable income when lenders assess your borrowing capacity. You may also be able to claim vehicle-related expenses as tax deductions based on your work use.
Your allowance counts as income
Lenders include your car allowance in your assessable income. You don't need to spend it directly on the vehicle — it supports your borrowing capacity.
Claim work-related running costs
Under the logbook method, you may be able to claim fuel, registration, insurance, servicing and loan interest proportional to your work use. The ATO cents-per-kilometre rate for 2024–25 is 88 cents per km, up to 5,000 km.
Claim depreciation
Under the logbook method, you may be able to claim depreciation on the vehicle proportional to your business use. The ATO car cost limit for 2024–25 is $69,674.
Claim loan interest
The interest component of your repayments may be deductible to the extent the vehicle is used for work. Keep a logbook to substantiate your claim.
The allowance is taxed — so use it efficiently
Your car allowance is included in your taxable income. Claiming legitimate deductions offsets that tax cost, making the net out-of-pocket lower than it might appear.
Keep cash flow intact
Financing spreads the cost of the vehicle over time. Combined with available deductions, the net cost of running a financed vehicle is often lower than buying outright.
Tax deductions depend on your individual circumstances and the proportion of work use. The ATO rates and thresholds above are for 2024–25 and may change. Speak with your accountant before making any decisions based on tax outcomes.
Common questions from car allowance recipients
Can I use my car allowance to finance a vehicle?
Yes. Your car allowance is included in your assessable income, which lenders use to calculate your borrowing capacity. You don't need to spend the allowance directly on the vehicle — it simply supports your application.
What vehicle expenses can I claim?
Under the logbook method, you may be able to claim fuel, registration, insurance, servicing, loan interest and depreciation — all proportional to your work use percentage. Under the cents-per-kilometre method, you can claim 88 cents per km (2024–25) for up to 5,000 km of work travel, with no logbook required.
Do I need to keep a logbook?
Only if you're using the logbook method, which typically gives a higher deduction. You need to keep a logbook for a continuous 12-week period that represents your typical work use. The cents-per-kilometre method doesn't require a logbook but is capped at 5,000 km.
Is my car allowance taxed?
Yes. A car allowance is included in your assessable income and taxed at your marginal rate. This is different from a novated lease, where repayments come from pre-tax salary. Claiming legitimate deductions helps offset the tax cost of receiving the allowance.
Car finance FAQs
Can I finance a used car through a private sale?
Yes. Many lenders will finance private sale vehicles, though the criteria can differ from dealer purchases. Age and condition of the vehicle, and the purchase price, all factor into the assessment. We'll identify lenders suited to your specific purchase.
What's the difference between a consumer car loan and a chattel mortgage?
A consumer car loan is for personal use — you own the vehicle from day one and make fixed repayments. A chattel mortgage is for business use — the lender holds a mortgage over the vehicle as security, and you may be able to claim GST and depreciation. The right structure depends on how the vehicle will be used.
Can I get car finance if I'm self-employed?
Yes. Self-employed borrowers can access car finance through standard or low-doc options depending on how long the business has been trading and what income documentation is available. We work with lenders who specialise in self-employed applications.
Can I finance a prestige or exotic vehicle?
Yes. We have access to specialist lenders for prestige vehicles — Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Bentley and others. Lending criteria for high-value vehicles can differ from standard car finance, so it helps to talk through your situation first.
Can I finance a grey import or JDM vehicle?
Yes. Grey import finance is a specialist area — not all lenders will touch it. We work with lenders who understand parallel imports and can assess vehicles like the GT-R R32/33/34, Supra, NSX, RX-7 and others on their merits.
Ready to talk about your next vehicle?
No obligation. Just a straightforward conversation about your situation and the options available.
Credit products are subject to eligibility criteria, terms, conditions, fees and charges. We recommend you seek independent financial advice before making any financial decision.