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Happy Motor Finance

Car Finance with a CCJ — Don't Let a County Court Judgement Hold You Back

A CCJ on your credit file can make getting car finance feel impossible, but it doesn't have to be. Happy Motor Finance connects you with lenders who look beyond your credit history.

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4.9
Google Reviews

With no impact to your credit score*

Calculate Your Finance

£6,500
£200

Estimated monthly payments

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With no impact to your credit score*

We act as a credit broker, not a lender

Representative example: borrowing £6,500 over 5 years with a representative APR of 16.9%, an annual interest rate of 16.9% (Fixed) and a deposit of £0.00, the amount payable would be £161.19 per month, with a total cost of credit of £3,171.55 and a total amount payable of £9,671.55. This is an example only, lender fees may apply. The exact rate you will be offered will depend on your circumstances. All finance subject to status.

*After completing the application, lenders will perform a “soft search” that will not affect your credit score. Should you get an offer of finance and wish to proceed, the lender will then perform a “hard search” of your credit file. Finance acceptance is not guaranteed, please click the following link for more information: Initial Disclosure Document

What Is a CCJ?

A County Court Judgement (CCJ) is issued by a court when someone fails to repay money they owe. If a creditor takes you to court over an unpaid debt and the court rules in their favour, a CCJ is registered against you. This is then recorded on the Register of Judgements, Orders and Fines, and appears on your credit file.

A CCJ stays on your credit file for six years from the date it was issued, regardless of whether you pay it off during that time. However, if you pay the full amount within one month of the judgement, it can be removed from the register entirely.

Having a CCJ can make it harder to get credit from mainstream lenders, but it certainly doesn't make car finance impossible.

Can I Get Car Finance with a CCJ?

Yes, you can. While many high street lenders and dealership finance providers may decline applications from customers with CCJs, there are specialist lenders who are set up specifically to help people in this situation.

The key factors that lenders will typically consider include:

  • How old the CCJ is: A CCJ from four years ago is generally viewed more favourably than one from six months ago.
  • Whether it's been satisfied: Paying off your CCJ (having it marked as 'satisfied') shows lenders that you've taken responsibility for the debt.
  • The amount: Smaller CCJs may have less impact on your application than larger ones.
  • Your current financial situation: Lenders want to see that you can comfortably afford the repayments today.

Happy Motor Finance takes all of this into account when matching you with the right lender from our panel.

Satisfied vs Unsatisfied CCJs

A satisfied CCJ means you've paid the debt in full. While it still appears on your credit file for six years, it's marked as satisfied, which is viewed more positively by lenders.

An unsatisfied CCJ means the debt hasn't been fully repaid. This can make it more challenging to obtain finance, but it's not necessarily a dealbreaker. Some of the lenders on our panel will still consider applications from customers with unsatisfied CCJs, particularly if the CCJ is older or for a smaller amount.

If you're unsure about the status of a CCJ on your file, we'd recommend checking your credit report through one of the main credit reference agencies: Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion.

How We Help You Get Approved

At Happy Motor Finance, we understand that a CCJ doesn't define your financial future. Life happens — unexpected bills, relationship breakdowns, job losses — and sometimes debts can spiral before you have a chance to get on top of them.

Our approach is straightforward:

  • We listen to your situation without judgement.
  • We use a soft search to assess your options without affecting your credit score.
  • We match you with lenders from our panel who are most likely to approve your application.
  • We handle the process from start to finish, keeping you informed every step of the way.

We're a broker, not a lender, which means we work for you — not the finance company. Our goal is to find you the best deal available based on your circumstances.

How It Works

Getting car finance doesn't have to be complicated. Here's how our simple process works.

📝

Apply Online

Complete our quick and easy application form in just a few minutes. It won't affect your credit score.

🔍

Get Matched

We'll search our panel of lenders to find the best deal for your circumstances.

🚗

Choose Your Car

Once approved, choose any car from any reputable dealer. Our Personal Shopper service can help.

🎉

Sign & Drive

Sign your finance agreement and drive away in your new car. It really is that simple!

Start Your Application

With no impact to your credit score*

We act as a credit broker, not a lender

Representative example: borrowing £6,500 over 5 years with a representative APR of 16.9%, an annual interest rate of 16.9% (Fixed) and a deposit of £0.00, the amount payable would be £161.19 per month, with a total cost of credit of £3,171.55 and a total amount payable of £9,671.55. This is an example only, lender fees may apply. The exact rate you will be offered will depend on your circumstances. All finance subject to status.

*After completing the application, lenders will perform a “soft search” that will not affect your credit score. Should you get an offer of finance and wish to proceed, the lender will then perform a “hard search” of your credit file. Finance acceptance is not guaranteed, please click the following link for more information: Initial Disclosure Document

What Our Customers Say

4.9
Google Reviews

"I had a CCJ from a few years back after some financial difficulties. I'd been refused by two dealerships and was starting to lose hope. Happy Motor Finance found a lender who approved me within 48 hours. The monthly payments are affordable and the team were absolutely lovely."

Karen L. Google

"Had an unsatisfied CCJ and thought there was no chance of getting car finance. HMF were honest about my options and found me a deal that worked. They never made me feel embarrassed about my situation. Top service."

Marcus B. Google

"Quick, efficient and genuinely caring. They explained everything about how CCJs affect finance applications and then went and found me a great deal. Would recommend to anyone in a similar position."

Emma S. Google

Frequently Asked Questions

A CCJ stays on your credit file for six years from the date it was issued. During this time, it can affect the finance deals available to you. However, the impact typically lessens over time, and many of our panel lenders will consider applications from customers with CCJs, particularly older or satisfied ones.
Yes, having a satisfied CCJ is generally viewed more favourably than an unsatisfied one. It shows lenders that you've addressed the debt. If you're able to pay off your CCJ before applying, it can improve your chances of approval and may help you access better rates.
Interest rates for customers with CCJs tend to be higher than standard rates, reflecting the additional risk from the lender's perspective. The exact rate will depend on factors like the age and size of your CCJ, your overall credit profile, and your current income. We always aim to find the most competitive rate available to you.
Not necessarily. Some of our panel lenders offer no-deposit options for customers with CCJs. However, providing a deposit can improve your chances of approval and may help you secure a lower monthly payment or better interest rate.
It's possible, though having multiple CCJs can make the process more challenging. The key factors are the age, value, and status of the CCJs, as well as your current financial situation. We've helped customers with multiple CCJs in the past and will always do our best to find a solution.

Ready to Get Behind the Wheel?

Apply for car finance today. Our quick application takes just minutes and won't affect your credit score.

Apply Now

With no impact to your credit score*

We act as a credit broker, not a lender

Representative example: borrowing £6,500 over 5 years with a representative APR of 16.9%, an annual interest rate of 16.9% (Fixed) and a deposit of £0.00, the amount payable would be £161.19 per month, with a total cost of credit of £3,171.55 and a total amount payable of £9,671.55. This is an example only, lender fees may apply. The exact rate you will be offered will depend on your circumstances. All finance subject to status.

*After completing the application, lenders will perform a “soft search” that will not affect your credit score. Should you get an offer of finance and wish to proceed, the lender will then perform a “hard search” of your credit file. Finance acceptance is not guaranteed, please click the following link for more information: Initial Disclosure Document

Our Lending Partners

Representative Example

Borrowing

£6,500

Term

60 months

Monthly Payment

£161.19

APR

16.9%

Total Amount Payable: £9,671.55

This is a representative example. The rate you are offered may differ depending on your personal circumstances.