This page explains how provider records are built and what the labels on them mean.
What goes into a record
For each provider we record its type, where and how it operates, the vehicles it finances, published loan amounts and terms, published rates, fees and conditions, eligibility information, and its sources. We take these from the provider’s own website and documents, and from public registers where relevant.
Provider types
- Lender: a bank or finance company that lends its own funds.
- Credit union: a member-owned financial institution.
- Dealer: a vehicle seller that arranges or offers financing with a purchase.
- Broker: a business that arranges financing with lenders on your behalf.
- Referral platform: a website that passes your enquiry to other businesses. Direct Car Loans is one of these.
What the labels mean
- Source-checked (date): the record was compared with the provider’s published information on that date.
- Registration checked (date): we looked the provider up in the register named on the record on that date. This is shown only where a registration is relevant to that type of business in that province.
- Commercial partner: we have a business relationship with the provider.
- Sponsored placement: a paid position, shown in its own section.
We do not use a general “verified” badge, because it would blur these four different things.
Unknown information
When a provider does not publish a detail, the record says “Not published” or “Confirm with provider”. An unknown fee is never shown as zero.
Rates
We keep an advertised interest rate apart from an APR, because they are not the same measure. Sorting by rate includes only providers that publish an APR. A published starting rate is the lowest advertised figure, not what you will be offered.
Comparison examples
The comparison page can show an example monthly payment for a standard amount and term. It appears only when a provider publishes an APR and the example falls within its published amount and term limits. Otherwise the page says why it was not calculated.
Sorting and position
Editorial listings are sorted by name by default, or by review date or published APR if you choose. Payment never changes editorial order.
What we do not do
We do not publish star ratings, customer reviews or approval rates, because we have no reliable way to measure them.