02/09/2025
💡 Understanding Car Finance | How Interest Rates Work
When you finance a vehicle, your interest rate is one of the biggest factors in your monthly instalment and the total cost over the term. Let’s break it down 👇
1) What is Interest?
Interest is the fee the bank charges you for borrowing money. The higher your rate, the more you pay over time.
2) How is Your Rate Determined?
Banks use risk-based pricing:
✅ Your credit profile (score, affordability, income stability)
✅ The vehicle (new vs used, mileage, demand)
✅ The structure (deposit, balloon %, term)
✅ Whether finance is arranged through the dealer or directly with your bank
3) Fixed vs Linked Rate
Fixed Rate: Your instalment stays the same for the term. Great for predictability, but not always available.
Linked (Variable) Rate: Tied to the prime interest rate. If the repo rate goes up or down, so does your instalment.
4) Discount vs Better Rate
Discount on Vehicle Price: Reduces the total amount financed = lower instalments immediately.
Better Rate: Reduces the interest charged on that amount = often saves more over the long term.
👉 The best option depends on whether you plan to keep the car long-term (rate is better) or upgrade sooner (discount helps monthly).
5) What is DIC?
DIC = Dealer Incentive Commission.
This is commission the bank pays the dealership for arranging finance in-house.
Does it affect your interest rate? Indirectly, yes.
Dealers may have more motivation to push in-house finance because of DIC.
However, your actual rate is still set by the bank, based on your risk profile and the deal structure.
Knowing about DIC means you can ask for transparency and compare offers.
✅ The Big Picture
The ideal is always cash = no interest, no debt.
But for most buyers, finance is the practical route.
The key: know how interest works, compare discount vs rate, and understand DIC so you make an informed decision.
👉 Want me to run the numbers on different structures (linked vs fixed, discount vs better rate) for your next Ford? Drop me a message and I’ll show you the scenarios side by side.
📍 CMH Ford Gezina
📞 Eugene Stander
📲 Call/WhatsApp: 072 930 4334
📧 [email protected]