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Kiwi Car Loans Review

We review Kiwi Car Loans, uniquely offering dealer and online vehicle loans. We cover the loans available, fees, pros and cons and everything you need to know to help decide if Kiwi Car Loans is right for you.
Updated 12 September 2025
Summary of Kiwi Car Loans
  • Kiwi Car Loans is a vehicle-focused loan broker offering interest rates from 9.95%.
  • Launched in 2012 by an Australian owner, Kiwi Car Loans has grown to work with dozens of car dealers around New Zealand as their go-to broker to arrange finance for their customers.
  • Kiwi Car Loans facilitates car loans  to anyone who earns over $650 a week.
  • Loan amounts will vary, and repayment terms are between one year and five years.
  • Kiwi Car Loans is not a lender like Harmoney, MTF Finance or Nectar; instead it's a broker with facilities with most traditional lenders. 
  • Kiwi Car Loans does not charge a fee for any basic variations to your agreement.

In this guide, we look at what Kiwi Car Loans offers for borrowers. We cover:
Advertising Disclosure: MoneyHub may receive a payment if you make a purchase on our website. Such commercial arrangements have no influence on our independent reviews of financial products. Please refer to our advertising policy for more details.
Christopher Walsh
MoneyHub Founder
Why Pay 15% When You Could Pay 8%? NZ's 3 Best Lenders for 2025​

Fact: The average New Zealander overpays thousands on car and personal loans by not shopping around.

Our research identified three lenders consistently beating banks by 4-10% and known for fair rates and reliable service
Typical Example: $20,000 loan over 5 years:
  • Major bank: 14% = $465/month
  • Challenger Lender: 9% = $415/month
  • You save: $50+ per month ($3,000 total over the life of the loan)

Why waste money on high interest? The rate you lock in today determines how much you'll pay every single week.
  • Instant rate checks: It takes around 1-2 minutes - Simplify, Harmoney and First Credit Union make it easy.
  • No obligation: Checking won't affect your credit score or credit history
  • Transparent: See your actual rate, not "rates from..."

Advertising Disclosure: We may earn a commission from loans, but our top picks are always based on rigorous research and your best interest.

Understanding Kiwi Car Loans' Minimum Borrowing Requirements

Kiwi Car Loans borrowers are, historically, individuals looking for a car loan, or a personal loan for any number of reasons (debt consolidation, home improvement, weddings and emergencies). Kiwi Car Loans' application process is thorough - only individuals who meet the following criteria can borrow:
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Have a regular income and earn over $650 per week
  • Be able to afford the loan you are applying for
  • Acquire financial products that are fit for purpose
  • Provide identity confirmation with either a valid New Zealand Driver’s License or a valid New Zealand Passport, as well as any foreign passport
  • Proof of address

Kiwi Car Loans, like any finance broker, is tightly regulated by legislation to protect borrowers and is clear in stating that all decisions are subject to responsible lending inquiries and checks.

Applying for a Loan with Kiwi Car Loans

Applying  for a car loan or personal loan follows a standard process, although the interest rate will differ depending on the loan's purpose and risk:
  1. The first step is to enter your first name, last name, phone number, email address and date of birth.
  2. You'll then be asked for your New Zealand driver licence number, address, whether you're a property owner or rent, and how long you've lived at your address.
  3. After this, you need to select what you want to finance (e.g. car, caravan, truck, boat, equipment or something else), and then enter the amount you want to borrow and how long for (1 - 5 years).
  4. You'll need to then enter in your employment status (Full Time, Part Time, Beneficiary, Retired / Pension, Self-Employed or Other), and enter in details about where you work, company name, job title, how much you earn, net income and whether or not you have other income.
  5. Finally, if you rent, you'll need to enter your monthly payment, any other loans or credit cards you owe money on, and any additional information you would like to provide. Once done, you can submit the application.
  6. A Kiwi Car Loans broker will give you a call to complete a credit check and submit your application to a lender that best matches your profile. If approved, you’ll receive a loan offer with an interest rate. If declined, Kiwi Car Loans can approach other lenders on your behalf. Should all lenders decline, they will contact you directly to let you know.
  7. If you accept a loan, you'll be charged a loan establishment fee  which is added to the loan total.

Pros and Cons of Kiwi Car Loans

Pros:
  • Wide range of  Lenders : Borrowers can choose to repay the amount weekly, fortnightly or monthly over 12 months to five years. Kiwi Car Loans does say that applicants can call their 0800 number during business hours, and the team is widely regarded as being helpful per the 1500+ Google reviews published.

But, be aware:

Have the best chance of loan success

The speed and success of an approved loan will depend on how well you complete your loan application. For the best success, be sure to:
  1. Be honest when answering all questions.​

Kiwi Car Loans' Fees – How Fees Are Charged To Borrowers

Kiwi Car Loans has three fee types - loan establishment fee, a PPSR fee, and a monthly administration fee. It's best to understand everything before signing any loan agreement. 

Loan Fees:
  1. Loan Establishment Fee: This is a one-time fee added to your loan when it's set up..
    ​
If you have any questions regarding these fees, it's recommended to contact Kiwi Car Loans directly.

Kiwi Car Loans - Customer Experience and Feedback

Customer reviews published online consistently praise Kiwi Car Loans' service, specifically noting their dedicated employees who work hard to get loans over the line. Key observations from the 1,500+ reviews we read (published up to July 2025) include:
  1. Efficiency & Dedication: Many customers emphasised the dedication shown by Kiwi Car Loans representatives, including helping outside regular hours, at weekends and when a customer is out of New Zealand and has a significant time difference.
  2. Helpfulness & Professionalism: The reviews we analysed often mentioned the friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating nature of the Kiwi Car Loans team.
  3. User-Friendly Process: While not explicitly mentioned as "user-friendly", hundreds of reviews mention the easy and prompt service many customers received. The efficiency in communication and processing appears to be a significant strength.
  4. Recommendations: The frequent phrase "highly recommend" is seen across reviews, underscoring customers' trust and confidence in Kiwi Car Loans. Clients felt secure and prioritised during their interactions, leading to such endorsements.

Regarding complaints, the most significant critique was related to communication. A few customers felt left in the dark, expressing the need for clear feedback rather than being ignored. This concern, however, stands as an exception among the vast majority of positive reviews. 

Overall Sentiment: Kiwi Car Loans demonstrates strong customer relations, underpinned by their focus on personalised service, professionalism, and efficiency. Their employees significantly contribute to the company's glowing reputation. While a small fraction of negative feedback exists, the overwhelmingly positive reviews attest to the company's commitment to excellence.

Kiwi Car Loans - Our Conclusion

  • Comparing Kiwi Car Loans' offer with others in the market and being thoroughly informed can assist in making the best financial decisions.
  • Understanding the total cost of the loan and comparing market offerings is crucial to ensuring the best financial decision, whether it be a loan for car finance, debt consolidation or a personal loan for anything else.
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