Car finance payment calculator: complete table by amount, term and APR

Index

1. How to calculate a finance instalment

2. Instalment table: amount €8,000

3. Instalment table: amount €12,000

4. Instalment table: amount €15,000

5. Instalment table: amount €20,000

6. Instalment table: amount €25,000

7. Instalment table: amount €30,000

8. Monthly instalment vs total cost: the difference that matters most

9. What APR to expect depending on the financing channel in 2026

10. Dealcar: sell your current car and finance less

11. FAQs

How to calculate a finance instalment

The monthly instalment of a finance agreement is calculated using the French amortisation formula, which is used by all banks and finance companies in Spain:

Instalment = Capital × [i × (1+i)^n] / [(1+i)^n - 1]

Where capital is the amount financed, i is the monthly interest rate (annual APR divided by 12), and n is the number of instalments (months).

You don't need to do the calculation by hand. The tables in this article are calculated using that formula for the most common amounts, terms, and APRs in the Spanish market in 2026. Look for the amount closest to what you need to finance and find the row for the term you are interested in.

Before using the tables, it is helpful to be clear about what APR means and why it is the only valid indicator to compare offers. The article on what is NIR and APR explains this with examples.

An important clarification: the instalment shown in the tables is the loan repayment instalment, without including linked insurance or arrangement fees. If your finance includes these elements, the actual instalment will be slightly higher.

Instalment table: amount €8,000

Total interest cost over 60 months: 5% APR → €1,060 | 7% APR → €1,480 | 10% APR → €2,200

Instalment table: amount €12,000

Total interest cost over 60 months: 5% APR → €1,600 | 7% APR → €2,280 | 10% APR → €3,300

Instalment table: amount €15,000

Total interest cost over 60 months: 5% APR → €1,980 | 7% APR → €2,820 | 10% APR → €4,140

Instalment table: amount €20,000

Total interest cost over 60 months: 5% APR → €2,620 | 7% APR → €3,760 | 10% APR → €5,500

Instalment table: amount €25,000

Total interest cost over 60 months: 5% APR → €3,320 | 7% APR → €4,700 | 10% APR → €6,860

Instalment table: amount €30,000

Total interest cost over 60 months: 5% APR → €3,960 | 7% APR → €5,640 | 10% APR → €8,220

Monthly instalment vs total cost: the difference that matters most

The tables above show the monthly instalment, which is the figure most people look at when comparing financing. But the instalment is not the real cost: the real cost is the total interest paid over the entire life of the loan.

An example that clearly illustrates the trap of a long term: if you finance €20,000 at an APR of 7%, the difference between choosing 48 or 84 months is this:

The instalment drops by €175 a month, but the car ends up costing €2,508 more. That monthly saving of €175 looks attractive at the time of signing, but over 7 years it adds up to an extra €14,700 in instalments, of which €2,508 is pure interest.

There is no universal answer as to which term to choose. But there is a practical rule of thumb: do not extend the term longer than necessary to make the instalment comfortable. If you can afford €400 a month without stretching your budget, do not sign up for 84 months just to drop to 303.

To see the full impact of the term on the total cost, the article on how much it costs to finance a car includes tables of total interest by amount and scenario.

What APR to expect depending on the financing channel in 2026

The tables are calculated with APRs of 5%, 7%, and 10%. Which one applies to your case?

To know exactly what APR you can get and under what conditions, the article on bank or dealership to finance a car compares the two options in detail.

For most buyers with a standard profile (permanent contract, no significant debts, no default history), the actual APR in 2026 will be between 5% and 8% if they compare banks and dealerships before deciding. The 7% APR tables are the most representative of the mid-market.

To find out if your profile falls into the lower APR range, the article on how much you can finance based on your salary details what criteria lenders use to assess risk.

Dealcar: sell your current car and finance less

The monthly instalment you see in the tables corresponds to the amount you finance. The lower that amount, the lower the instalment and the lower the total cost. If you own a car, selling it before buying the new one directly reduces the capital to be financed.

If you haven't yet decided if it's the right time to change, the article on when to change your car helps evaluate if the change makes financial sense now or later.

With Dealcar, your car reaches more than 1,000 verified professional dealerships competing for it. You receive the offer in less than 18 hours, get paid before handing over the car, and collection is from your home.

• 100% free for you. No commissions or hidden costs.

• You get paid before handing over the keys. Bank transfer before the car changes hands.

• They collect the car from your home. No travel required.

• No paperwork. The buyer handles the transfer, DGT, and all the paperwork.

• On average, 1,400 euros more than selling on Wallapop.

More than 12,000 cars sold and an average rating of 4.9 out of 5.

FAQs

How is the monthly instalment of a car finance agreement calculated?

With the French amortisation formula: Instalment = Capital × [i × (1+i)^n] / [(1+i)^n - 1], where i is the monthly interest rate (APR/12) and n is the number of months. The tables in this article apply that formula to the most common amounts and terms in the Spanish market in 2026.

Does the instalment in the tables include insurance and fees?

No. The tables show the loan repayment instalment without linked insurance or arrangement fees. If your finance includes these elements, the actual instalment will be slightly higher. Always ask for the full breakdown before signing.

What is a normal APR for financing a car in 2026?

For a standard profile (permanent contract, no major debts, no defaults), between 5% and 8% if you compare banks and dealerships. Manufacturer campaigns with 0% NIR are cheaper but only available for specific models. Above 10% starts to get expensive for a profile without complications.

How much more does it cost to extend the term to lower the instalment?

For €20,000 at 7% APR, moving from 48 to 84 months lowers the instalment by €175 a month but adds €2,508 to the total cost in interest. Each additional year of term has a real cost that is worth calculating before deciding.

Can I reduce the instalment without extending the term?

Yes, by making a larger down payment. For €20,000 over 60 months and 7% APR, each additional €2,000 down payment reduces the instalment by about €40 a month and the total interest cost by about €400.