How long after debt review can you buy a car?

While you are under debt review, you cannot legally take new credit, including vehicle finance. Any offer of 'car finance for debt review clients' should be treated with caution - taking new credit during the process is generally not allowed and can undo your plan.

The safe and proper route is to complete debt review, get your clearance certificate, and only then apply for a car.

Once your debts are paid up:

• Your counsellor issues the Form 19 clearance certificate (within seven days).
• The bureaus remove the debt-review flag, typically within about 21 business days.

After the flag is gone, lenders no longer see a debt-review status and you can apply for vehicle finance like any other consumer. Do not apply before the flag is removed, as the application will be declined and the rejection itself is recorded.

Removing the flag clears the debt-review status, but lenders still assess:

• Your credit history during and before debt review.
• Your current income and affordability.
• Any defaults or judgments that may still be on record from before.

So even with the flag gone, you may need to rebuild your profile for a while before you get the best finance terms.

1. Wait until your clearance certificate is issued and confirm the flag is removed on your credit report.
2. Keep your accounts clean - pay any remaining bills on time.
3. Build a small, positive credit history (for example, a modest account paid in full each month).
4. Save a deposit, which lowers the lender's risk and improves your terms.
5. Apply when your affordability is solid, not the day after you finish.

Patience here means cheaper finance and a better chance of approval.