Buying a car is one of the biggest financial commitments many Australians make. For most families, it’s not just about transport — it’s about security, convenience, and being able to manage everyday life. But sometimes, unexpected events can make it difficult to keep up with repayments. Rising living costs, medical bills, or family changes can quickly put pressure on household budgets.
This is exactly what happened to Johnny*, one of our customers from Adelaide. His story shows how financial hardship can happen to anyone, and how reaching out early can make all the difference.
Meet Johnny: A relatable story
Johnny is a husband and father of three. His third child had just arrived, bringing joy but also new expenses — nappies, baby supplies, and medical costs. On top of that, his family faced a series of unexpected bills, including car servicing and higher utility costs.
Johnny drives a 2019 Mazda CX‑5, a reliable family SUV that helps him juggle school runs, work, and family commitments. But with monthly repayments of $840 and an outstanding balance of $18,000, the financial strain was starting to feel overwhelming.
Like many Australians, Johnny was doing his best to stay on top of his obligations. But with rising interest rates and everyday costs increasing, he realised he needed help before falling too far behind.
Recognising financial hardship
Financial hardship doesn’t mean failure — it means life has thrown challenges your way. According to our Financial Hardship FAQs, hardship can occur when unexpected events reduce your ability to meet repayments. Common causes include:
- Family changes: welcoming a new baby, separation, or caring for relatives.
- Unexpected expenses: medical bills, car repairs, or home maintenance.
- Job loss or reduced income: changes in employment or working hours.
- Cost of living pressures: rising rent, groceries, and utilities.
Johnny’s situation ticked several of these boxes. He wasn’t irresponsible — he was simply facing circumstances outside his control. By recognising the signs early, he avoided missed payments and the stress that comes with them.
How Johnny reached out
Instead of waiting until arrears built up, Johnny contacted us directly. He explained his situation honestly: a new baby, higher household costs, and difficulty meeting his $840 monthly repayments.
This step is crucial. As we outline on our Financial Hardship page, reaching out early gives us more options to help. It also prevents late fees, protects your credit history, and reduces stress.
Here’s how we helped
One of our Financial Hardship Specialists worked closely with Johnny to understand his circumstances. Together, they reviewed his income, expenses, and family commitments.
The solution was a temporary reduction in repayments. For three months, Johnny’s monthly payments dropped from $840 to $300. This gave him breathing room to adjust his budget, cover essential family costs, and avoid falling behind.
This approach is part of our commitment to responsible lending. We don’t just provide finance — we support customers when life changes unexpectedly.
The outcome
With reduced repayments, Johnny stabilised his finances. He could focus on his family, manage household expenses, and avoid the stress of overdue notices.
At the end of the three-month period, Johnny returned to his regular repayment schedule. To make this transition smoother, we extended his loan term slightly, ensuring his $18,000 balance remained manageable.
Importantly, Johnny stayed on track without any further disruptions. He avoided default, protected his credit rating, and kept his family car — all while navigating one of life’s busiest stages.
Key lessons from Johnny’s story
Johnny’s experience highlights several important lessons for consumers:
- Hardship can happen to anyone: Even responsible borrowers can face challenges.
- Early communication is vital: Reaching out before missing payments gives more options.
- Flexible solutions exist: Temporary repayment reductions, loan extensions, or tailored plans can help.
- Interest continues to accrue: While repayments may be reduced, interest still applies to the outstanding balance.
- Support is available: Financial Hardship Specialists are trained to find solutions that fit your needs.
What to do if you’re in Johnny’s shoes
If you’re struggling to keep up with repayments, here are practical steps you can take:
- Review your budget: Identify essential expenses and areas where you can adjust.
- Contact your finance provider early: Don’t wait until arrears build up.
- Explore hardship options: Ask about temporary repayment reductions, extensions, or tailored plans.
- Check our FAQs: Our FAQs page covers common questions about missed payments, hardship, and repayment options.
- Apply online or call us: You can apply for hardship support online or call us directly at 1300 561 869.
FAQs: Financial hardship and missed payments
To make things clearer, here are answers to some common questions we receive:
Q: What happens if I miss a payment?
Missing payments can lead to late fees and affect your credit history. Contact us immediately so we can help.
Q: Can I apply for hardship support online?
Yes. Our Financial Hardship page has an online application form.
Q: Will interest stop during hardship support?
No. Interest continues to accrue on your loan balance, but reduced repayments can ease short term pressure.
Q: Can hardship support affect my loan term?
Yes. In Johnny’s case, we extended his loan term slightly to make repayments manageable.
Why Angle Auto takes hardship seriously
At Angle Auto, we believe finance should be transparent, fair, and supportive. We know life doesn’t always go to plan, which is why we have dedicated hardship processes in place.
Our approach includes:
- Specialist support: Trained staff who understand financial stress.
- Flexible solutions: Tailored repayment options to suit individual circumstances.
- Transparency: Clear communication about interest, fees, and loan adjustments.
- Customer focus: Helping families stay on track without unnecessary stress.
Our dedicated Financial Hardship page (see here) explains the process in detail, including how to apply and what information you’ll need to provide.
For more details, you can explore our Important Documents page, which includes guides on fees, charges, and break costs. This can help you understand what to expect.
Driving forward with confidence
Johnny’s story illustrates that hardship support can help when you need it. By reaching out early, he avoided missed payments, protected his credit rating, and kept his family car. Most importantly, he gained peace of mind during a busy and challenging time.
If you’re facing similar challenges, remember you’re not alone. Financial hardship can happen to anyone, and support is available. Whether it’s a temporary repayment reduction, loan extension, or tailored plan, we can work with you to find a solution.
Apply online today or call us at 1300 561 869. Together, we’ll help you drive forward with confidence — even when life throws unexpected challenges your way.
Extra support is just a call away
There’s always a way forward. If you need help managing your finances, give the National Debt Helpline a call (1800 007 007) and connect with a Financial Counsellor who can guide you through it.
Important information:
* Name and personal details changed to protect the customer’s confidentiality.