Today, buying a car in India is more than just a status symbol and luxury, it has become a necessity for people with the rising crowd in public transport. This is because it helps them for daily office commute, family trips and more.
Nowadays, many individuals are self-employed and looking to buy a car but might end up facing certain financial difficulties. Such individuals can apply for a car loan and secure funds in minutes to pay the money right away. But before applying for a car loan, it is important to know the eligibility criteria, documentation, and the application process to speed up the process and avoid unnecessary delays.
Read this post to learn how to apply for a car loan when you are a self-employed person.
Understanding Car Loans
A car loan is a financial product that allows individuals to purchase a vehicle by borrowing money from a bank, usually a bank or a financial institution. The borrower repays the loan amount and interest in fixed instalments over a predetermined period, one to seven years. This convenient financing option enables individuals to acquire a vehicle without paying the entire purchase price upfront, making car ownership more accessible and affordable.
Benefits of Applying for a Car Loan
Applying for a car loan offers several advantages, especially for self-employed individuals:
1. Financial Flexibility: Car loans allow individuals to purchase a vehicle without depleting their savings or liquidating assets.
2. Tax Benefits: Under Section 80C and Section 24 of the Income Tax Act, borrowers can claim tax deductions on the principal amount and interest paid on the car loan.
3. Convenient Repayment Options: Car loans offer flexible repayment options, including fixed or floating interest rates and varying loan tenures, allowing borrowers to choose a plan that aligns with their financial goals and capabilities.
4. Improved Credit Profile: Timely repayment of car loans instalments can enhance the borrower’s credit score, strengthening their financial profile for future loan applications.
Process to Apply for a Car Loan
For self-employed individuals in India, the process of applying for a car loan involves the following steps:
1. Research and Comparison: Conduct thorough research to compare car loan offerings from various banks, including car loan interest rate, loan tenure, processing fees, and eligibility criteria.
2. Check Eligibility: Determine your eligibility for a vehicle loan based on factors such as age, income, credit score, and employment stability. Most banks require self-employed individuals to have a stable income and business vintage of at least two to three years.
3. Select car and model: Choose your desired vehicle and model according to your preferences and budget.
4. Customise your loan: Go to the chosen banks website. Go to the vehicle loan application page, and enter the loan amount, repayment tenure, and down payment option.
5. Complete your personal details: Fill out the necessary personal information and provide the required documents for loan processing.
6. Get quick sanction: Receive approval for your loan application, allowing you to proceed with purchasing your chosen vehicle swiftly.
The bank will verify the provided documents and assess your creditworthiness based on your credit score, income stability, and repayment capacity. The loan amount will be disbursed to your bank account or the car dealer upon approval.
Eligibility Criteria and Required Documents
While eligibility criteria and required documents may vary among banks, self-employed individuals generally need to fulfil the following requirements:
Eligibility Criteria
– Minimum age: above 21 years
– Maximum age: 65 years at loan maturity
– Minimum business vintage: 3 years
– Stable income and repayment capacity
Required Documents:
– Identity proof (Aadhaar card, passport, PAN card, voter ID, etc.)
– Address proof (utility bills, rental agreement, driving licence, etc.)
– Income stability proof (Income Tax Returns, Profit & Loss statements, audited financial statements, etc.)
– Bank statements for the last 6-12 months
– Business proof (GST registration, business licence, etc.)
– Latest photographs
Conclusion
For self-employed individuals in India, applying for a car loan involves thorough research, careful planning, and diligent documentation. Despite the challenges, the benefits of owning a vehicle through car loans outweigh the complexities of the application process.
By understanding the requirements, gathering the necessary documents, and following the prescribed steps, self-employed individuals can successfully obtain car loans and realise their dream of owning a vehicle with ease and confidence.