Financing a car and credit files

fergie_

I had a search first, but I wasn't able to find an answer to something I was wondering about - How is car finance reflected on a credit file?

I know an unsecured loan will show as simply a loan, but what about PCP, Hire Purchase or a loan secured against the car? How about finance provided by the manufacturer on a new car? Also, would a lease car show on a credit file?

MorningcoffeeIV

They'll show as a loan.

MalMonroe

My PCP agreement appears on my reports as a loan. 

So far it hasn't been detrimental as I've paid the instalments on time every time. 

I have managed to get two 0% balance transfer credit cards at different times while I've had the PCP, too. Now I just use one credit card for general expenses, mostly groceries and pay it off in full every month. Just to show I am now sensible with my money.

Lenders mostly just want to know that you can handle credit sensibly. Certainly that's what's happened to me anyway. (Hasn't always been the case, though as I've been in terrible financial trouble in the past.)