// Self-Employed Finance

Self-employed car finance in Cape Town, without the runaround.

No payslip? No problem. Self-employed buyers, freelancers and commission earners apply with bank statements instead. We submit your application to multiple banks at once and help you put your best case forward.

// Finance for the Self-Employed

Your income is real. We’ll show the banks.

Getting car finance when you work for yourself can feel harder than it should be. Banks can’t verify your income from a payslip, so they look at your bank statements to understand what comes in and what goes out each month.

That’s where applying through a dealership helps. Instead of approaching one bank at a time, Bloomsbury submits a single application to ABSA, WesBank, MFC, Standard Bank, FNB, Nedbank, Capitec, Marquis Finance and iMas Finance in parallel. If one bank says no, another may say yes, and you only fill in the forms once.

We help salaried buyers too. See our main car finance Cape Town page, or business and commercial vehicle finance if you’re buying through a company, CC or trust.

// Who This Is For

Built for people who don’t earn a fixed salary.

Business owners and sole traders

You run your business in your own name and pay yourself from what it earns.

Freelancers and contractors

Your income comes from clients and projects rather than a single employer.

Commission earners

Your earnings change from month to month depending on sales or performance.

// Documents

What you’ll need

• Valid South African ID or passport
• Your latest 3 months’ bank statements showing your income
• Proof of residence, not older than 3 months
• Some banks may ask for more, such as longer bank statement history or financial statements. Kay-Lee will confirm before submitting.

// Tips

How to strengthen your application

• Run your income through one bank account so it is easy to see
• Keep regular deposits visible and avoid unexplained cash movements
• Put down a deposit if you can, as it lowers the risk and the instalment
• Choose a vehicle with an instalment that fits comfortably within your average month
• Check your credit record for errors before you apply

// Finance Team

A real person reviews your application.

Kay-Lee, our Head of Finance, reviews self-employed applications personally and will tell you if anything is missing before it goes to the banks.

— Kay-Lee | Head of Finance | kaylee@bloomsbury.co.za

Start your application

Apply online through our secure finance portal. There is no fee to apply through Bloomsbury.

Apply for Finance Browse Inventory

// Self-Employed Finance FAQ

Your questions, answered.

Yes. Self-employed buyers apply with bank statements instead of payslips. Approval depends on the bank’s assessment of your income, expenses and credit record, which is why we submit to several banks at once.

Usually the latest 3 months. Some banks ask for a longer history or financial statements, depending on your profile. We confirm this before your application is submitted.

Commission earners may be salaried or self-employed depending on how they are paid. Either way, we can help. Your payslips or bank statements show the bank your average monthly income.

Not always. A deposit usually means a stronger offer and a lower instalment, but many buyers are approved without one. We present every offer that comes back.

Sole traders apply personally. If your business is a registered company, CC or trust, it can apply for business vehicle finance in its own name. Speak to your accountant about which suits you best.

Many applications come back within minutes during business hours. Self-employed applications can take a little longer if the bank asks for extra documents. We keep you updated throughout.

// Finance Enquiry

Not sure where you stand?

Send us a message and the finance team will talk you through your options before you apply.