How much should you spend on a car? Check what you can afford
Enter your salary, deposit and budget below to see how much car you can realistically afford in the UK. Our free calculator uses typical PCP, HP and personal loan terms to estimate your maximum monthly payment and car budget.
Reviewed by: Oliver Burton, Editor · Last updated: 08 June 2026
Salary to car budget examples
Compare typical UK salary bands using the 10–20% take-home rule (2026/27 tax and NI; car prices assume a £2,000 deposit, 48 months at 6.9% APR). Figures are illustrative guides—a full salary guide has more detail for each band.
| Salary | Take-home | Monthly payment | Approx car price | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £25,000 | ~£1,790/mo | £179–£359/mo | £9,500–£17,000 | Salary guide → |
| £30,000 | ~£2,090/mo | £209–£419/mo | £10,800–£19,500 | Salary guide → |
| £40,000 | ~£2,690/mo | £269–£539/mo | £13,300–£24,500 | Salary guide → |
| £50,000 | ~£3,290/mo | £329–£659/mo | £15,800–£29,600 | Salary guide → |
| £60,000 | ~£3,780/mo | £378–£756/mo | £17,800–£33,600 | Salary guide → |
Sample monthly payment to car price
If you already know your target monthly payment, this table shows approximate car prices at typical UK finance terms (deposit, APR and term vary). Or model your own figures in the car finance calculator and compare PCP vs HP.
| Monthly payment | Approx car price |
|---|---|
| £200 | £8,000 – £10,000 |
| £300 | £12,000 – £16,000 |
| £400 | £18,000 – £22,000 |
| £500 | £22,000 – £28,000 |
Compare finance options (guides & tools)
Once you know a monthly budget, use these guides and tools to compare how you pay for the car.
Car affordability calculator
Your affordability result
StretchRecommended max monthly payment
£359
Estimated max car budget
£17,021
- Estimated finance amount
- £15,021
- Total interest
- £2,211
- Total repayable
- £17,232
Based on your income and 15% affordability, you could put around 359 per month towards a car. Over 48 months at the rate you entered, that supports a finance amount of about 15021. With your deposit, your total car budget is approximately 17021. This is an estimate only—actual offers depend on lender criteria.
What to do next
- Compare product shapes with the PCP vs HP calculator or refine instalments in the car finance calculator.
- Check salary-band examples on the affordability by salary UK hub.
Estimates only — not a lending decision or financial advice. We are not a lender or broker. FCA-regulated partners handle quotes. We may earn a commission if you follow sponsored links.
Disclaimer
This calculator is for estimation only. It is not financial advice and does not represent a lending decision. Your actual affordability and car finance options in the UK depend on your circumstances and the lender's criteria.
Why work out what car you can afford first?
Buying a car is one of the biggest financial decisions many people make. Whether you're purchasing your first vehicle, upgrading to something newer, or switching to an electric car, understanding what you can realistically afford helps you avoid stretching your budget. Instead of guessing, this tool helps you understand the true cost of owning a car and what price range is comfortable for your budget. For salary-specific examples, see the car affordability by salary UK guide, or find out how much car finance you can get.
Frequently asked questions
- How much car can I afford in the UK?
- A common UK guideline is to keep car finance payments within 10–15% of your monthly take-home pay (up to around 20% if you have few other commitments). Enter your salary, deposit and outgoings in our free calculator above to see your max monthly payment and approximate car budget. Results are estimates only—not a lending decision.
- What car payment can I afford?
- Your affordable car payment depends on take-home pay minus committed outgoings. On £2,000 take-home, 10–15% suggests roughly £200–£300 per month for finance alone. Use the calculator with your own figures for a personalised monthly payment and car price range.
- How much car can I afford based on salary?
- Salary affects affordability through your take-home pay. See the salary table above for £25k–£60k examples, or browse our salary guides. A £30,000 salary (about £2,090 a month take-home) typically supports around £210–£420 per month on finance, or roughly an £11,000–£19,500 car with a £2,000 deposit over 48 months at 6.9% APR.
- How does the monthly payment calculation work?
- We estimate your monthly take-home from your annual salary (or use your override), subtract any outgoings you enter, then apply your chosen affordability percentage—conservative 10%, standard 15% or aggressive 20%. We then estimate a max car price using typical PCP, HP or loan terms. UK lenders use their own rules.
- Does this calculator cover PCP and HP?
- Yes. The calculator uses typical UK PCP, HP and personal loan structures to estimate your monthly payment and car budget. For a side-by-side PCP vs HP comparison on the same car price, use our PCP vs HP calculator.
- Is this car affordability calculator free to use?
- Yes. The calculator is completely free with no signup required. Enter your salary and deposit to see your max monthly payment and car budget instantly. It is an illustrative guide only—not financial advice or a credit offer.
- What is the difference between PCP and HP for affordability?
- PCP usually means lower monthly payments because part of the car's value is deferred as a balloon payment. HP spreads the full amount over the term, so monthly payments are typically higher but you own the car at the end with no balloon. Both affect how much car your monthly budget can support.
- Is this a guarantee I can borrow this amount?
- No. This is an estimate for planning only. FCA-regulated lenders apply their own affordability checks using your credit file, employment and other commitments. Always check formal terms before signing any finance agreement.
More calculators & guides
See example budgets and term comparisons for common UK salaries, or browse the full salary guide.
Related tools
Sources & notes
Our calculators and guides draw on publicly available UK guidance. We review content periodically but do not guarantee that external sources remain unchanged. See our about page for how we use these tools.
MoneyHelper – How to find the right way to buy a car
General guidance on budgeting and car finance options in the UK.
MoneyHelper – Work out your budget
Household budgeting principles used alongside affordability rules of thumb.
FCA – Consumer credit and your rights
Regulatory context for regulated car finance agreements.
FCA Handbook – CONC 5.2A (creditworthiness and affordability)
How FCA-regulated lenders must assess affordability (illustrative reference).
Black Horse – Car finance (sample lender information)
Example of how a major UK motor-finance provider describes its products.
Santander – Car finance (sample lender information)
Example lender product information; rates and criteria vary by provider.
Compliance notes
- Car Affordability UK is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). We do not provide regulated financial advice, credit broking or lending.
- Calculator outputs are illustrative estimates based on the inputs you provide and published third-party guidance. They are not quotes, offers of credit or lending decisions.
- FCA-regulated lenders apply their own affordability assessments, which may differ from the percentage rules of thumb used on this site. Always check formal terms before signing any agreement.
- We may earn commission if you follow links to third-party finance comparison services. This does not affect how our calculators work or how content is reviewed.