Truck Loans Australia :: Articles

5 Credit Killers

What are the top factors that can damage your credit score?

5 Credit Killers

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

A good credit score speaks volumes about your financial habits. It's the evidence most creditors need to evaluate your credit worthiness.
Interestingly, there are some credit killers that even people maintaining good credit scores would unwittingly be a part of, which will be their undoing when applying for credit facilities in the future.
These mistakes may seem to be insignificant, but when the time comes, you may face more problems than you expect.

Avoiding Debt

Creditors need to evaluate your financial history to approve any credit facilities.
If you have no previous or existing debts, it might adversely affect your case, as creditors have no way of checking out how you'll handle the credit you get from them.

Shopping For Rates

Looking around for the best rate may actually turn out to be bad.
Debt Stressed?
Image for Debt Stressed?If you're struggling to pay your debts and covering living expenses, we're here to help. Through our national panel of Debt Management specialists, we can help customers with $10k or more in debt by consolidating your existing loans, stopping Debt collectors from contacting you and re-negotiating repayments on your terms!
Too many inquiries within a short period could damage your credit score.
Usually, if you do more than 3 or 4 inquiries within a single month, you are likely to scare the lenders. For the same reasons, transferring the balances on your credit cards could be a bad idea as well.

Assuming There's a Grace Period

If you are late on a payment by even one day, you are late, period.
Never assume there's a grace period for late payments, because it only affects your credit score negatively.

Closing Old Accounts

Because your relevant transaction history also gets erased when you close your old accounts, your credit history is shortened and it may lower your credit score.
If you want to close your old accounts, close everything except the oldest account, which will leave a longer history.

Co-signing Loans

The obvious problem here is that the primary borrower's mistakes will end up on your credit report as well.

Published: Sunday, 1st Aug 2021
Author: Paige Estritori

Rate this article

0 Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.


Truck Loans Articles

5 Tips on Securing Low-Interest Rates for Your Vehicle Purchase
5 Tips on Securing Low-Interest Rates for Your Vehicle Purchase
Embarking on the journey of acquiring a commercial vehicle is a significant decision for any business. Securing a loan with a low-interest rate is not just a matter of luck; it involves meticulous planning and a thorough understanding of the lending landscape. This opening section sets the scene for our deep dive into navigating the commercial vehicle loan process with an eye toward minimizing costs and maximizing value. - read more
Essential Document Checklist for Truck Loan Approval: What You Need to Know
Essential Document Checklist for Truck Loan Approval: What You Need to Know
Getting the right truck loan can be essential for business owners who rely on commercial vehicles. These loans cover a variety of commercial vehicle types and are crucial for ensuring your business operations run smoothly. Truck loans, specifically, provide the necessary finances to purchase trucks, which are indispensable in industries like logistics and delivery services across Australia. - read more
Understanding Credit Scores and Their Impact on Your Commercial Vehicle Loan Terms
Understanding Credit Scores and Their Impact on Your Commercial Vehicle Loan Terms
Finding the right financing for a commercial vehicle in Australia can be a critical step for businesses and individuals alike. Whether it's for a single van or an entire fleet of trucks, understanding the intricacies of commercial vehicle loans is key to securing a deal that aligns with your financial goals. One factor that stands out in determining your loan terms is the credit score—a numerical representation of your creditworthiness. - read more
How to Get a Truck Loan with Less-Than-Perfect Credit
How to Get a Truck Loan with Less-Than-Perfect Credit
Securing finance for any significant purchase can be a challenge, especially when it comes to acquiring a truck for business purposes. Coupled with a less-than-perfect credit score, this task can seem daunting for many Australians. The ripple effects of financial constraints can impede business operations, affecting the lifeline of commercial ventures that rely on transportation. - read more
Why a Pre-Approval Can Give You an Advantage When Buying a Truck
Why a Pre-Approval Can Give You an Advantage When Buying a Truck
When purchasing a truck, whether for personal use or business, navigating the financial landscape can be daunting. This is where pre-approval comes into play. But what exactly does pre-approval mean in the context of buying a truck? - read more

Finance News

What the SMSF Property Borrowing Ban Means for Finance Decisions
What the SMSF Property Borrowing Ban Means for Finance Decisions
17 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori
Australia’s SMSF property borrowing rules are about to tighten, creating a short and important decision window for trustees, investors, lenders and advisers. From 10 August 2026, self-managed superannuation funds will no longer be able to enter new limited recourse borrowing arrangements to purchase residential property. Existing arrangements are expected to be protected, but the immediate challenge is working out what counts as sufficiently advanced before the deadline. - read more
What July�s Car Loan Rate Snapshot Means for Australian Buyers
What July’s Car Loan Rate Snapshot Means for Australian Buyers
17 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori
Fresh July 2026 car loan comparison data points to a competitive market for well-qualified borrowers, with some secured car loan products advertising rates in the mid-five per cent range. For buyers looking at a new or near-new vehicle, that may sound encouraging after a period of higher household costs and tighter lending conditions. But the more useful takeaway is not simply that lower advertised rates exist. - read more
Why New Borrower Rate Cuts Matter When You�re Managing Debt
Why New Borrower Rate Cuts Matter When You’re Managing Debt
17 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori
A fresh round of lender competition is giving some Australian borrowers a reason to review their debts, but the benefits are not being shared evenly. Canstar reported on 16 July 2026 that 23 lenders have cut at least one variable home loan rate since 1 May, despite the Reserve Bank’s rate hikes in February, March and May. The catch is that these reductions are aimed at new borrowers, or existing customers willing to refinance and effectively become new customers elsewhere. - read more
Victoria�s Electric Truck Trial Puts Real-World Costs in Focus
Victoria’s Electric Truck Trial Puts Real-World Costs in Focus
17 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori
Victoria’s new electric heavy vehicle trial has moved from policy discussion to real-world testing, with Cahill Transport named as the first operator to take part. For truck buyers and fleet owners, the most important detail is not just that another electric truck is hitting the road. It is that the trial is designed to produce practical operating data that may help businesses make better decisions before committing capital. - read more
New scam warning: what caravan buyers should check online
New scam warning: what caravan buyers should check online
17 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori
Australians researching a caravan purchase are being reminded to slow down and check the websites they use before entering personal or financial details. A fresh Moneysmart update on scam websites highlights how convincing fake pages can now look, especially when scammers copy well-known brands, financial institutions or trusted information sources. - read more

Start Here

Get a free truck loan eligibility assessment and compare truck finance and leasing options without accessing your credit file!!
Loan Amount:
Postcode:

All quotes are provided obligation-free by a participating broker from our national referral partner network. We respect your Privacy.


Knowledgebase
Interest-Only Loan:
A type of loan where the borrower only pays the interest on the principal balance for a set term.