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Simplify Car Loans Review

We review New Zealand's car loan broker committed to providing low interest rates and simple lending. Our review explains the fees, pros and cons and everything you need to know to help decide if Simplify is right for you.
Updated 15 October 2024
Summary of Simplify
  • Secured borrowing only for cars, with interest rates between 9.00% and 22.95% p.a.
  • Simplify is a car loan broker committed to finding customers the best deal on car financing. Its partners include Heartland Bank and Oxford Finance, among others. It exists to compare lenders and offer customers the best deal, specific to their needs.
  • Fees of $276 to $600 apply per approved loan. This is in line with other lenders such as Harmoney, AA Money, MTF Finance, banks and finance companies.
  • Unlike banks and traditional lenders, Simplify promises 'lightning speed' decisions, with a yes/no in minutes.
  • Cars can be purchased with private sellers, dealers or second-hand car yards - there's no restriction.
  • Early repayment is permitted, with fees based on the underlying lender's T&C. We believe the fees are reasonable based on our discussions with Simplify's team.
  • Simplify also steps in to manage the purchase of a vehicle, and has a team of experts who can help with advice on the car as well as which finance product is best for you.

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.
Our Guide to Simplify
  • In this guide, we analyse Simplify, an increasingly popular car finance arranger.
  • ​Borrowers are attracted by very competitive interest rates for for applicants with good credit. 
  • Unlike traditional lenders who only offer their products, Simplify showcases a range of lenders with a commitment to getting the best deal. Unlike going directly, it negotiates the lowest interest rate for you. 
  • The application process is fast, with approval decisions in minutes. 
  • All lending is secured, meaning if you fail to keep up with repayments, your car will be repossessed. You'll also be charged penalty fees. 

In this guide, we look at what Simplify offers for Borrowers. We cover:

MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh shares his comments about Simplify Loans

Simplify is our Favourite Car Loan Lender in our 2024 Editor's Choice Awards.
"Simplify Loans, unlike traditional dealership financing options, offers a unique advantage. Instead of being limited to the terms set by a single dealership or bank, Simplify, as a broker, ensures that customers get tailor-made loans sourced from a range of specialist car lenders. It's a refreshing perspective, focusing on securing loans that are 'best for the consumer, not the dealer or bank.' It's a level of impartiality that's truly needed in the market."

"When looking into the accessibility of their services, I was impressed by the variety of communication avenues they offer. While many providers have switched entirely to digital methods, Simplify acknowledges the significance of a vehicle purchase. Their approach of always giving a personal call to online inquirers is commendable and respond to the fact that many people need someone to talk to. It's the human touch in the digital age, combined with their readiness to adapt to email, chat, and Zoom, that sets them apart as a car loan broker."

"What stands out is their tech-driven approach to find the best offer for customers. Using technology to sift through options based on a customer's profile is innovative. It assures customers that they're not just getting a good deal, but the best one tailored to them."

"Before diving into any loan, exploring all your options is always good. Simplify's transparent rate range can be enticing. However, always remember to factor in the full cost of borrowing, including establishment fees and monthly charges, to ensure you make the best financial decision for your circumstances. What's important is the total cost of the loan - if you're repaying $15,000 for a $12,000 loan, that, for example, is a better deal than paying $17,000 - please compare the market and don't rush into anything".
Christopher Walsh
MoneyHub Founder

Simplify - Understanding who qualifies for a loan

Simplify’s borrowers are, historically, individuals looking to purchase a car. Simplify's application process is strict - only individuals who meet the following criteria can borrow:
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be able to afford the loan you are applying for
  • Provide identity confirmation with either a valid New Zealand Driver’s License or a valid New Zealand Passport.
  • Provide bank statements for the last three months (these will be processed and assessed by a credit agency to see your borrowing ability)
  • You’ll need to list all income sources, your assets (e.g. house, investments, savings etc.), liabilities (e.g. credit cards, personal loans etc.) and your mortgage or rent expenses (separately from liabilities)

Getting a loan quote and securing a car
  1. You can get a free quote which helps you decide if the interest rate is reasonable, or if you should apply elsewhere. You will specify your preferred car and model, income, assets and debts.
  2. Loan application assessments are made fairly quickly, and you'll be contacted with a range of loan offers from different lenders.
  3. If you choose to go ahead with the loan, Simplify's team handle the car purchase process, saving time and giving you trusted options. 
  4. If you accept a loan, you'll be charged fee, added to the loan total, depending on the amount borrowed. As the loan is secured, non-repayment after a certain period of time will mean your car will be repossessed. 

Pros and Cons of Simplify

  1. Simplify arrange the car purchase process. If you're new to shopping for a new car, Simplify handles all the paperwork. It also offers digital loan document signatures to speed up the process. However, we encourage every borrower to read their loan documents in detail before signing. The purpose of this is to lower the risk to both the lender and borrower. Simplify wants customers who buy solid and reliable cars, which also protects their loan should the customer later default.
  2. Decisions are made quickly, with a personalised interest rate which takes into account your credit history, income and assets.
  3. A range of lenders are compared, with Heartland Bank being one of several options. 

But, be aware:
  1. Fees can be high if you miss payments or default. This is standard with any car lender but it's essential to be aware of to manage your budget and personal finances.
  2. Always compare the offer you receive with other options. Harmoney is a dedicated alternative lender and has a reputation of providing low interest rates to borrowers with strong credit histories. Simplify doesn't offer loans from Harmoney so it's worth a comparison.

Have the best chance of loan success

The speed and success of a loan being approved will depend on how well you complete your loan applicant. For the best success, be sure to:
  1. Be honest when answering all questions
  2. Complete every section - leaving blanks can raise issues
  3. Insert the most up to date numbers you have for income, debts and other related personal finance questions

Simplify Fees – How fees are charged to borrowers

  • Each borrower pays a $276 establishment fee when their loan is approved and drawn down to finance a car. 
  • In some cases, where loans are arranged via a broker or car dealer, an additional fee may be applied.
  • When registering your security (i.e. car) against the loan, there is a PPSR  fee of $10.
  • Statements come every six months, but if you want an additional one, there is a $5 fee.
  • Other fees apply, but these tend to be for non-standard needs. These are published in a dedicated PDF.

Simplify Loans - Customer Experience and Feedback

Simplify Loans has lots of positive customer feedback on its Feefo reviews page, with over 1,800+ 5-star reviews from genuine customers. The common theme seems to be the helpfulness of customers being continually informed of the progress of their applications throughout the process, making buying a car simple and easy.

Based on the customer reviews we analyzed for Simplify Car Finance up to October 2024, the prominent themes of customer experiences observed include:
  • Efficiency & Speed: A large number of customers highlighted the quickness and ease of the entire financing process. The ability of the company to swiftly process applications, provide approvals, and finalize deals stood out.
  • Service & Communication: Exceptional service quality was a recurrent theme across reviews. Many customers lauded the excellent communication provided, citing it as a standout feature in their experience.
  • User-Friendly Process: Clients consistently appreciated the simplicity of the application process. The hassle-free nature of paperwork and the convenience of the online systems were frequently mentioned as positives.
  • Recommendations: Clients' willingness to recommend Simplify Car Finance to others was a significant sentiment, attesting to the company's reliability and service proficiency.

Regarding improvement areas, a few clients felt that certain processes weren't explained adequately from the outset. A few pointed out potential areas of miscommunication or inefficiencies in form processing. Before applying, Simplify invites potential borrowers to get a quote to start the process.

Simplify Loans Security

A secured loan is where a borrower puts up an asset (like a vehicle) as collateral for a loan. Simplify only offers secured loans, which means it offers lower risk and ultimately lower interest rates. There is a $10 security registration fee. 

Be aware: The asset the loan is secured over can be repossessed if you miss too many loan repayments and default on your loan; additional fees will also apply. For this reason, we suggest making sure the car loan you apply for is affordable over the 1-5 years you plan to repay it. If it isn't, we suggest looking for a more affordable car. Having a car repossessed can affect your employment and other repayment obligations. 

Simplify Loans - Our Conclusion

  • Simplify offers a no-obligation quote for a loan, and the process is easy to follow. The Simplify team's focus is arranging the lowest interest rate and best value car. 
  • Any potential borrower can get a "yes" or "no" from Simplify within an hour. If it's a "yes", Simplify's team will work with the borrower to find the best deal available from its partner lenders. 
  • Borrowers can compare the Simplify offer with that of other finance companies and lenders.
  • Simplify markets itself by saying it offers "car loans...simplified". We tend to agree with this comment, although every borrower will have their own experience and opinion. Simplify is upfront with its interest rates and fees so you can compare other options. Their team is committed to painless car buying and saving customers money upfront and over the life of the loan. 
  • ​The application/dealer/broker fees may be added on, and can range from $0 to $500, depending on how you arranged your financing. Simplify doesn't apply these to every loan, and they are assessed on a case by case basis.
  • Repayments work like any other debt, and there is a credit team to talk to if any borrower falls behind or needs to make a hardship application. Loan variation fees apply in such cases, as is standard with any car loan.
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