Representative Example: You could borrow £10,699 over 60 months with an initial payment of £495.89 (including £199 Admin Fee) followed by 58 monthly payments of £296.89 with a final payment of £495.89 (including optional £199 Option to Purchase Fee). Total amount repayable will be £19,012,40. 26.1% APR, annual interest rate (fixed) 13.3%.
Can you take a car on finance abroad?
Planning a road trip through Europe? If your car is on HP car finance, you might be wondering if you're allowed to take it abroad. The short answer is: yes, but you need your lender’s permission first.
Since you don’t own the car outright until the agreement is fully paid, you’ll need to follow some rules. This guide explains how to get permission, what documents to bring, how long you can go for, and what to check before you drive.
Yes. If your car is on a hire purchase agreement, you don’t legally own it until you make all the payments, including any final fee.
If you miss payments, your finance provider could repossess the car. This is why it's so important to stick to the terms of your HP car finance agreement, especially if you plan to take the car abroad. Driving overseas without permission from your lender could break the rules and lead to serious problems.
Start by checking your finance agreement. It should explain the rules for taking the car outside the UK.
Most lenders will ask you to contact them at least 14 days before your trip. Some may need it in writing. You might also be asked to send:
If you're with AutoMoney, our team can explain what’s needed to take your car abroad under HP finance.
Each lender has their own rules, but many will allow you to take your financed car abroad for 15 to 90 days in a 12-month period.
If you're just going on holiday or visiting family for a few weeks, that’s usually fine, as long as you get permission.
But if you're planning to be away for more than 90 days, or moving abroad for work or study, things change. In that case, your lender may ask you to settle your car finance early before you leave the UK. Once the car is fully paid for and you own it outright, you're free to travel without limits.
If you're unsure, speak to your lender or contact our Customer Support Team. We can help you understand your options, including early settlement and flexible car finance plans.
Because your car is on finance, you won’t have the V5C logbook. Instead, your lender will give you a VE103B certificate. This shows that you’re allowed to drive the car abroad, even though it’s still owned by the finance company.
Here’s what you’ll likely need:
Depending on where you're going, you might also need:
Make sure to check travel rules for each country in advance so you’re not caught out at the border.
A Green Card is an international insurance document that proves you have the minimum legal cover to drive in certain countries.
You don’t usually need a Green Card for most of the EU or countries like Switzerland or Norway. But you may need one if you’re driving to:
If your trip includes any of these countries, speak to your insurer well in advance. Some insurers can email or post the Green Card to you quickly, but others may need a few weeks to process it.
Even if a Green Card isn’t required, always check your policy covers international driving. Some policies include up to 90 days of European cover, while others only include third-party protection.
Still not sure? Call your insurance provider and ask what documents you’ll need. Better to be safe than stranded.
Yes, always tell your insurer before you travel. You must have cover that’s valid in every country you drive through.
If you don’t tell them and something goes wrong, like an accident or theft, your policy might not protect you. That could leave you responsible for the full cost, and it might also break your HP car finance agreement.
Ask your insurer about:
Sometimes, yes, but there are two important rules:
Not all lenders allow someone else to drive the car abroad, especially if they’re not listed on the agreement. If you want to share the driving, check with your lender first and give them full details of the trip.
Letting someone else drive without permission could break both your insurance terms and your finance agreement.
