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.
With no impact to your credit score*
Calculate Your Finance
Estimated monthly payments
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!
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
"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."
"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."
"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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Get Behind the Wheel?
Apply for car finance today. Our quick application takes just minutes and won't affect your credit score.
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