Personal Contract Purchase (also known as PCP) could allow you to get your hands on a new car without needing to stump up a significant sum of cash all at once.
One of the major selling points of a PCP car finance car deal is that it could mean you can get your hands on a new or nearly new car that you could not otherwise afford. It'll be more reliable than an older car, require less maintenance and, like for like, will be cheaper to run. It'll also likely come with a warranty for ultimate peace of mind.
Something to consider though is that a PCP car finance deal represents a significant long-term financial commitment because you pay for the car over monthly instalments, so it might not be for everyone.
While PCP car finance deals are predominantly offered on new cars, you'll also find them on used cars for sale as well or via a third party plan which you then use to get behind the wheel of the new or used car of your choice.
A Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) is essentially a long-term financial agreement which usually takes the form of a lump sum deposit followed by smaller monthly payments. At the end of the agreement, a PCP gives you the option to buy the car by settling a final balloon payment.
How does a PCP car deal make financial sense for the dealer, manufacturer or finance company? Well, it's because your lump sum and monthly payments cover the cost of the car's depreciation as well as paying the lender a small premium on the loan.
It sounds like complicated maths but the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) requires that everything is clearly broken down when looking at a PCP car deal. So, as well as knowing your initial deposit, monthly payments and ballon sum final payment, the length of the agreement will also be clearly labelled as will the interest you're paying on the finance, the agreed annual mileage and the cost per mile if you exceed it.
Perhaps the most revealing figure is the offer price – it shows you exactly what you're paying versus the on-the-road price if you were buying the car upfront.
You can check out the latest and best PCP car deals below, while further down the page you'll find more info about PCP deals, from the deposit needed to the optional final payment you can make.
The Audi Q4 e-tron is a posh and practical electric SUV crammed with technology and with an excellent battery range. This Sport 45 model comes with an Audi deposit contribution of over £10,000, which helps drop monthly payments down to £475 over a four-year PCP deal with a 6.9% APR. The mileage limit is a useful 10,000 per year, too.
The Dacia Jogger is one of the cheapest ways to get a brand new car in which you can take six mates along for the ride. Somewhat confusingly, the top of the range Jogger Extreme Hybrid is the cheapest on PCP at £149 a month on a 25-month PCP deal at 4.9% APR. If you're looking for a smaller deposit, the same car is £339 a month with just £339 down on a 48-month 7.9% APR deal.
Deposit: £6076 (+ £250 Dacia deposit contribution)
Monthly payments: 24 x £149 (£3576)
Optional final payment: £16,094
Total payable: £26,005
Mileage per year: 6000
Representative APR: 4.9%
Deal ends: 30 June 2025
The Ford Puma is one of the UK's best-selling cars. Picking up where the now-departed Fiesta left off, the Puma is fun to drive, surprisingly spacious for what's actually quite a small car, and very well equipped right across the range. We've chosen a Puma Titanium, which is the entry-level trim, to keep the monthly cost low. For added convenience, Ford has lots of new Puma models waiting in stock, meaning you could be behind the wheel of a brand-new car in just a week.
The Hyundai Tucson is one of the cooler and more sophisticated family SUV options on the market. Hyundai is offering £2000 deposit contributions and a relatively low 4.9% APR on PCP deals on the hybrid, plug-in hybrid and regular models, the latter of which we've chosen here. We've opted for an entry-level Tucson Advance trim, as all models are well equipped, which starts at £376 a month.
One of the best-selling cars in the UK right now, the Kia Sportage has a striking design, loads of interior space and is packed with plenty of equipment. Kia is now offering the Sportage Shadow model with the option of paying no deposit and a £1000 deposit contribution. As with most PCP deals, though, you can adjust things – if you do have a deposit, you could drive down your monthly costs further. For example, put £5000 down, and your monthly payment drops to £373.
The Mercedes C-Class might be one of the smaller Mercedes saloon cars, but the latest model feels more like the larger, luxury flagship S-Class than ever before. The C-Class features a fantastic, tech-filled interior and superb long-distance cruising ability that make it feel every bit the premium saloon, while a handy £3000 deposit contribution helps you on your way. Opt for the hybrid C300e model and get £4250 off and 3.9% APR.
We’ve said that the MG4 is the best budget electric car, and when it’s available with 0% APR it’s even more attractive. You can drive around in an MG4 SE 125kW 51kWh model for just £169 per month, and if you want the more powerful, longer-range models then they’re just £179, £199 or £279. MG is also giving buyers of the MG4, MG4 XPOWER and MG HS PHEV a £1000 extra discount, but only if you opt for a 49-month 2.9% APR deal.
The Nissan Qashqai is one of the UK's best-selling cars, and the head-turning facelift of the current model makes it one of the most distinctive. The new look doesn't come at the cost of the big reason it's so popular as a family SUV though, as features like fold-flat rear seats and wide rear door openings are all present and correct. This deal is for a Qashqai N-Connecta with 5.49% APR and a £2500 towards your deposit, while Nissan offers varying deposit contributions and APR depending on the model.
The Toyota Corolla is an automotive institution, much like its big rival, the Volkswagen Golf. The latest Corolla is the best yet, too, with an extremely reliable, frugal hybrid powertrain, sharp looks and stacks of equipment offered even from the entry-level Icon trim level. All Corolla models, including the estate, are offered with £2000 towards your deposit and a low 2.9% APR.
The Volkswagen Golf has a reputation as the default choice of family car that stretches back decades. The latest model has more competition than ever, yet it remains one of the best cars in its class, especially now a recent update has made its infotainment system more user friendly. There's £3000 deposit contributions across the range, but we've chosen a Golf Match model for its combination of equipment and value.
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