Battling a R70 000 trade-in shortfall

A Fin24 user who had a R70 000 shortfall on his vehicle finance and battling to keep up with payments, seeks advice. He writes:

I purchased a car a few years ago that I could not afford. To reduce the payments, I opted for a 30% balloon payment. In an attempt to reduce the payments, I traded in the vehicle for a cheaper vehicle.

However, due to the settlement amount being about R70 000 less than the market value of the vehicle, the balance was loaded onto the finance amount of the new vehicle. Currently, I am paying exactly the same monthly installment at a higher interest rate and still with a R70k shortfall. Due to a change in my job, I am no longer able to afford the current vehicle.

I’ve spoken to my financing company, however they are unwilling to make any arrangement. I desperately need to either reduce my payments or get a cheaper vehicle. I am at the end of  my tether and stretched financially. My vehicle is a 2012 Kia Rio financed with MFC, Nedbank.

Douw Leadley of, a division of Nedbank responds:

There are basically only 2 available options to reduce payments:
• Settle and purchase a cheaper vehicle,
• Restructure current agreement / extend term to reduce payments.

Both options are conditional on the following:

• shortfall on current deal and / or affordability assessment,
• conduct of current MFC account and
• status – current, arrears, DC or legal?

I take it the client is unable to trade out of his/her current deal because of the shortfall been added to the current deal so that leaves the client with two options:

• Assist Sales – 2 to 3 offers to be assessed by MFC if the current deal cannot be settled. Agreed repayment plan on the shortfall, dependent on Credit Assessment in terms of affordability of a cheaper vehicle. (Credit discretion).

• Extend term to maximum on current deal – dependent on previous history, restructures done, etc.

Hope that helps!

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