Financial Conduct Authority · Great Britain
Buy a reliable family car for under 15000
Qualified drivers earn up to £15,000 a year.
Answer three questions and we will tell you whether you can start, what it costs and what to do first. Every fee comes from Financial Conduct Authority, not from us.
What do you want to drive?
How old are you?
Which of these do you already have?
Your route
Every route, in full
Open the one you need — most people only need theirs.
Buy Outright Cash purchase £350 to qualify · earns up to £15,000 · 3 steps
Pay in full and drive away the same day once checks and paperwork are done.
- 1
Reserve the car
You place a refundable deposit to take a car off sale while you decide.
- Deposit holds the vehicle for up to 7 days.
- Refundable in full if you do not proceed.
Fees at this step Item Standard Premium slot Paid to Refundable holding deposit £200 — provider Where people get stuck
- Car sells to a walk-in buyer before a deposit is placed
- Deposit paid on a car the buyer has not yet viewed in person
- 2
Independent inspection
You can arrange a third-party mechanical inspection before committing.
- Optional but recommended on older stock.
- We hold the car for the inspection appointment.
Fees at this step Item Standard Premium slot Paid to Independent inspection estimate £99–£250 £150 — other Where people get stuck
- No local inspector available at short notice
- Buyer skips the check then finds a fault after purchase
- 3
Pay and complete
You settle the balance, sign the paperwork and take the keys.
- Balance paid by bank transfer or debit card.
- We complete the V5C transfer with the DVLA.
- Drive-away insurance must be arranged before you leave.
Fees at this step Item Standard Premium slot Paid to New keeper V5C fee £0 — regulator Where people get stuck
- Bank transfer limits delay cleared funds
- No insurance in place to legally drive away
- Card payment surcharge disputes
What it qualifies you for
- Owned family car, no monthly payments — typically £3,000–£15,000 a year. Range is typical drive-away price of our stock, not earnings. Outright ownership means no interest cost over the life of the car.
Hire Purchase Finance HP £1,010 to qualify · earns up to £320 · 3 steps
Spread the cost over fixed monthly payments; you own the car after the final payment.
- 1
Soft-search quote
You get an indicative rate without affecting your credit score.
- Soft search leaves no mark on your file.
- Shows likely monthly figure and APR band.
Fees at this step Item Standard Premium slot Paid to Quotation £0 — provider Where people get stuck
- Income not evidenced at quote stage
- Expecting a rate that only applies to top-tier credit
- 2
Full application and deposit
You submit documents and pay the deposit to firm up the agreement.
- Full credit search is run at this stage.
- Deposit reduces the amount financed.
Fees at this step Item Standard Premium slot Paid to Typical deposit (10 percent) estimate £0–£4,500 £1,000 — provider Where people get stuck
- Affordability check fails on outgoings
- Recent missed payments on the credit file
- Address history gaps
- 3
Sign and drive
You sign the agreement, and payments begin the following month.
- Total cost includes interest over the term.
- You have a 14-day right to withdraw under the CCA.
- The car is not fully yours until the last payment clears.
Fees at this step Item Standard Premium slot Paid to Option-to-purchase fee £10 — provider Where people get stuck
- Missing that interest adds to the total cost
- Not budgeting for insurance on top of the monthly payment
What it qualifies you for
- Financed family car with fixed monthly cost — typically £120–£320 a year. Figures are indicative monthly payments in pounds, not annual earnings, based on typical stock, deposit and term. Actual APR depends on your credit.
Part-Exchange Part-ex £0 to qualify · earns up to £8,000 · 2 steps
Trade in your current car against the price of your next one and settle any difference.
- 1
Valuation appraisal
You bring the car in for an appraisal to get a firm trade-in figure.
- Physical inspection beats an online estimate.
- We run an HPI check for finance and write-off history.
Fees at this step Item Standard Premium slot Paid to Appraisal £0 — provider Where people get stuck
- Undisclosed outstanding finance found on HPI
- Damage or warning lights lowering the offer on the day
- Expecting the higher private-sale price from a trade-in
- 2
Settle the difference
You pay or finance the gap between the trade-in value and your new car.
- Any outstanding finance is deducted from the trade-in value.
- The balance can be paid outright or financed.
Fees at this step Item Standard Premium slot Paid to Balance to pay estimate £0–£15,000 £0 — provider Where people get stuck
- Negative equity where finance owed exceeds the trade value
- No proof of ownership to complete the swap
What it qualifies you for
- Reduced upfront cost by trading in — typically £500–£8,000 a year. Range is a typical trade-in value in pounds offset against your purchase, not earnings. Condition, mileage and demand set the actual figure.
Work out your own total Retakes, evening and weekend test slots
Totals come from the same figures as the routes. Change anything and the number changes with it.
About these figures
The figures on this page are illustrative and have not been checked against Financial Conduct Authority. Confirm before budgeting.
Finance and consumer figures apply to Great Britain; Northern Ireland registration differs.
Questions people actually ask
Do all your cars come with an MOT?
Every car is sold with a fresh MOT of at least 6 months and is serviced before handover.
Can I get finance with a poor credit score?
Often yes, but at a higher APR and usually with a larger deposit. Start with a soft-search quote so your score is not affected.
How long is the test drive?
Around 20 to 30 minutes on a mix of roads. Bring your full driving licence; you must be insured to drive.
Is there a warranty?
All cars include a warranty at no extra cost, with the option to extend. Ask for the terms on the specific car.
Can I reserve a car online?
Yes, a refundable deposit holds any car for up to 7 days while you arrange a viewing or finance.
Talk to someone
Leave your number and we will call you back with a plan for your route.
Or call 01234 567890.
Or email sales@meadowbankmotors.co.uk.