The benefits of taking a Chattel Mortgage over a Consumer Loan

In car finance, one size rarely fits all. You may think there’s only one type of car loan. 

In fact, there’s several. If you’re an ABN holder, a consumer loan – the most common type – might not be the best way forward for you and your business.

If you’re buying a car for more than 50% business use, a loan product known as a chattel mortgage may be more beneficial than a standard consumer loan.

1. Chattel Mortgage defined

A chattel mortgage comprises two parts – the chattel and the mortgage. Chattel is also called a “security"; what the loan value is tied to. In this situation, your purchase car is the “chattel.” The mortgage is the loan itself. The sum of money plus interest owed to your lender.

As a business owner you can claim depreciation and interest charges on your BAS

2. The upfront benefits of a chattel mortgage

Chattel mortgages have the interests of businesspeople because they can claim any GST paid on the car on their next Business Activity Statement (BAS). As a business owner you can also claim depreciation and interest charges on your BAS and in some cases, the full input tax credit.

Since a chattel mortgage is a type of secured loan, chattel mortgage interest rates are generally lower compared to unsecured consumer loans.

3. More flexibility

Businesses can tailor their chattel mortgages for individual needs. For example, if you need to secure cash flow, you can opt for 100% finance plus extras such as insurance so your initial outlay is nil. You can also put a deposit down or trade-in your old vehicle.

You can also structure the loan with a residual or “balloon” payment at the end of the loan. You can set the term of the loan from 12 to 60 months or even longer (in select cases). 

4. Things you must know

Unlike consumer loans, chattel mortgages do not fall under the regulatory framework of the National Consumer Credit Protection Act (NCCPA). The NCCPA compels licenced credit providers to conduct strict credit checks and attend to other consumer safeguards when considering loan approvals.

They must also provide fee, charge and other loan information up front. It’s bad business practice to withhold information from potential customers. However, we urge you to note chattel mortgages exemption from the regulation.

Article credit: Savvy