Lowest Car Loan Interest Rates in Malaysia (2025 Update)

Looking for the best car loan rates in Malaysia 2025? This guide compares the lowest car loan interest rates and highlights the cheapest car loan in Malaysia for both new and used vehicles. Whether you’re eyeing a Perodua, Proton, or an EV, get the facts to save more.

TL;DR – Which Bank Offers Malaysia’s Lowest Car Loan Interest Rate (2025)?

Bank Name Interest Rate (Flat) Car Type Notes
BSN 2.35% p.a. New Islamic, up to 90% margin, 9 years
Bank Islam 2.35% p.a. New Islamic, up to 90% margin, 9 years
Maybank From 1.98% p.a.* New (EV) EV promo, selected models only
CIMB From 2.38% p.a.* New (EV) EV promo, selected models only
Public Bank 2.45% p.a. New Conventional, up to 90% margin

*EV = Electric Vehicle; promo rates may be limited to selected models and campaigns.

2025 Car Loan Interest Rate Comparison Table

Bank Name New Car Rate Used Car Rate Max Tenure Max Margin Fixed/Variable Notes/Conditions
BSN 2.35% 3.10% 9 years 90% Fixed Islamic, national cars focus
Bank Islam 2.35% 3.10% 9 years 90% Fixed Islamic, national cars focus
Maybank 1.98%* 3.45% 9 years 90% Fixed/Promo EV promo, selected models
CIMB 2.38%* 3.50% 9 years 90% Fixed/Promo EV promo, selected models
Public Bank 2.45% 3.60% 9 years 90% Fixed Conventional, broad coverage
RHB 2.65% 3.80% 9 years 90% Fixed Islamic and conventional
Bank Muamalat 2.95% 3.95% 9 years 90% Fixed Islamic, grad scheme
Bank Rakyat 3.05% 4.10% 9 years 90% Fixed Islamic, flexible packages

*Promo rates for EVs; check with banks for model eligibility.

Read our complete guide on Malaysia car loan types, interest structures, and rate calculation.

What Influences These Rates?

  • New cars, especially national brands, usually get the lowest rates.
  • Used cars come with higher interest.
  • Rates may differ by loan tenure or financing amount.

Tips to Get the Lowest Interest Rate Possible

Go with national car brands (Perodua, Proton)

National brands like Perodua and Proton consistently offer the best car loan rates in Malaysia 2025, thanks to government incentives and strong partnerships with local banks.

Financing packages for these brands often come with lower interest rates, higher approval rates, and flexible repayment plans.

For example, Perodua buyers can benefit from flexi plans that allow early settlement and extra payments to reduce total interest, giving you more control over your loan and long-term savings.

Choose a Shorter Loan Tenure

While many Malaysians stretch their car loans to the maximum nine-year term, opting for a shorter tenure can save you a significant amount in total interest. Due to the “Rule of 78,” most interest is front-loaded early in the loan. If you can manage higher monthly payments, a shorter loan period reduces your overall cost dramatically.

Leverage Promotions or Dealer Tie-Ups

Banks often collaborate with car dealers to offer exclusive flat rates, sometimes as low as 0.99% or 2.00%, especially during special campaigns. These limited-time deals are typically tied to selected models, so stay alert for promotions and act fast to lock in better rates.

Consider Islamic Banks for Better Rates

Islamic banks sometimes offer more attractive car financing through Shariah-compliant products like AITAB (Al-Ijarah Thumma Al-Bai’). These options often come with lower profit rates, flexible payment terms, and benefits like no penalty for early settlement. Comparing Islamic and conventional loan packages could land you the cheapest car loan in Malaysia.

Explore EV Loans for Special Low Rates

If you’re considering an electric vehicle, banks now offer green financing packages with rates as low as 1.98% per annum for selected models. These deals often include perks like tax exemptions or reduced fees, making EV loans a smart way to secure the best car loan rates in Malaysia 2025 while supporting sustainability.

By combining these strategies—choosing national brands, buying new, opting for shorter tenures, leveraging promotions, considering Islamic banks, and exploring EV loans—you can maximise your chances of securing Malaysia’s lowest car loan interest rates.

Best Low-Interest Car Loan Offers Right Now

Here are the standout car loan offers available as of April 2025, including both regular and special EV promotions:

Current Top EV Loan Promotions

Bank EV Interest/Profit Rate (p.a.) Details
Maybank 1.98% Exclusive EV financing (e.g., Tesla), tailored insurance, ongoing promo till mid-2025
CIMB 2.38% Special EV loan rates to support green vehicle adoption.
BSN 2.30% Competitive Islamic EV financing, flexible tenure, up to 90% margin.
Bank Islam 2.10%–2.20% Lowest rates for electric vehicles, Shariah-compliant, up to 9 years.

These EV rates are among the lowest in the market, but are limited to selected models and may require specific eligibility or documentation.

Regular Top Contenders for All Car Types

Bank Regular Interest/Profit Rate (p.a.) Notes
Affin Bank 2.92%–3.00% New/used cars, up to 9 years, high margin financing.
Public Bank 3.31%–4.10% Widely accessible, flexible tenure, reliable for new and used cars.
CIMB 2.85%–4.45% New/used cars, Islamic and conventional options.
Maybank 3.40%–4.25% Conventional and Islamic, broad eligibility, new and used cars.
Bank Islam 2.30%–3.30% Shariah-compliant, lowest for non-national/hybrid (2.30%), national cars from 2.50%.

Caveats and Important Notes

  • Rates vary by car type (new, used, EV, hybrid), loan amount, tenure, and your eligibility.
  • Promotional rates (especially for EVs) are often limited to selected models and may require higher down payments or specific documentation.
  • Always confirm the latest terms and requirements directly with the bank or authorized dealer before applying.

    These offers reflect the most competitive car loan deals in Malaysia as of April 2025, with both regular and EV-focused packages available to suit different buyer needs.

FAQs – Finding the Lowest Car Loan Rate in Malaysia

Which bank has the lowest car loan interest rate right now?

As of April 2025, BSN, Bank Islam, and Maybank offer some of the lowest rates starting from ~2.30%.

Can I get the same rate for used cars?

No — used car loan rates typically start higher, around 3.0–3.5%.

Can foreigners access these rates?

Yes, but eligibility may differ. See bank requirements.

Is Islamic car loan interest lower?

Often, yes. Profit rates can be slightly more competitive.

What is the lowest car loan interest rate in Malaysia right now?

The lowest standard rate currently available (offered by a few banks on new car loans) is around 2.30% per annum (flat). For example, BSN’s MyAuto-i EV program has 2.30%, and Bank Islam offers ~2.35% for certain new car loans. Most other banks offer between 2.5% and 3.0% at the low end.

Which bank offers the best car loan interest rate?

Several banks are very close. Bank Islam and BSN are among the best, hovering in the low 2% range for new cars. Other major banks like Public Bank, Maybank, and CIMB offer competitive rates around 2.7% or below for new national cars. So the “best” can depend on your car choice and profile, but those are top contenders.

What is the typical interest rate for car loans in 2025?

For new cars, about 2.5%–3% p.a. is typical (lower end for local models, higher for foreign). For used cars, around 3.5%–4%+ p.a. is common. These are flat rates. Many loans fall in this range, with only a few going much lower or higher.

Can I negotiate the interest rate on a car loan?

In Malaysia, the interest rate for hire purchase is generally fixed by the bank’s package, so branch officers have little room to negotiate it, unlike home loans.

You usually get the standard rate offered. However, you can negotiate other aspects: the car dealer might reduce the car price or absorb some fees, indirectly lowering your financing amount.

You often can’t talk a bank from 3% down to 2.5%, but you can shop around different banks for the lowest rate.

Are fixed or variable car loan rates better for low interest?

Almost all car loans here are fixed (flat) rates. A few banks have variable-rate car loans (pegged to BLR/SBR), but they usually start around the same level and can fluctuate with central bank rates. Since OPR can go up, a fixed low rate is usually safer.

There’s no strong evidence that variable rates end up lower for car loans – they’re relatively rare offerings.

Does a bigger down payment give me a lower interest rate?

Not usually. Whether you pay 10% down or 50% down, banks typically offer the same interest rate for the loan. The difference is just how much you borrow.

Some financing promos or certain banks may have slight rate tiers (e.g., a slightly lower rate if the loan amount is above RM100k or below a certain percentage of the car price), but for the most part, the rate is fixed.

That said, a bigger down payment means you pay less interest overall (since the principal is lower).

Can I refinance my car loan to get a lower rate later?

Car loan refinancing isn’t as common as housing loans. Once you lock in a hire purchase, the rate is fixed for that tenure. You could theoretically take a personal loan at a lower rate to settle the car loan, but personal loan rates are usually higher (5-10%).

Refinancing usually doesn’t make sense unless interest rates drop significantly (which for hire purchase hasn’t been volatile). Better to get the lowest rate upfront.

Have there been 0% or ultra-low car loan offers?

Yes, but usually as special promotions.

For example, some EV promotions offered 0% interest for a limited tenure, or Carsome had a tie-up at 0.99%. These are limited to certain cars or timeframes.

They’re not standard bank loans you can get for any car; the manufacturer or dealer subsidizes them. Outside such promos, ~2% is about as low as it gets.

Can foreigners get the lowest car loan rates mentioned?

Foreigners can apply for car loans in Malaysia, but banks may impose additional conditions (like a local guarantor or lower margin).

The interest rate itself usually remains the standard rate if approved – a bank won’t charge a higher rate just because you’re foreign; they’ll either approve at the normal rate or not approve.

The challenge is more in getting approval for the loan amount/percentage. If you meet the criteria, you should enjoy the same low rates offered to locals.

References

Samantha Lim
Samantha Lim
Samantha Lim, a finance writer from Malaysia, combines her Finance degree and industry experience to offer expert insights on personal finance and economic trends. Known for her clear, practical advice tailored for the Malaysian market, Samantha's writing empowers readers to make informed financial decisions and achieve success in Malaysia's financial landscape.

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