The interest rate is the headline figure a lender uses to calculate the interest on your truck finance, while the comparison rate also includes most fees to show a truer overall cost. A deal can advertise a low interest rate yet carry a higher comparison rate once fees are counted, which is why both matter. Indicative pricing for strong, asset-backed deals may start from around 6.55% p.a., subject to lender assessment. Overdrive compares 80+ banks and non-bank lenders on one application so you can weigh both figures fairly.
Key highlights
- Interest rate is the headline figure used to calculate interest
- Comparison rate folds in fees for a truer cost
- A low interest rate can hide a higher comparison rate
- Compare both across 80+ lenders on one application
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What the interest rate tells you
The interest rate is the percentage a lender charges on the amount you borrow, and it is what your repayments are calculated from. It is the number lenders lead with because it is easy to compare at a glance. For a strong, asset-backed truck deal, indicative pricing may start from around 6.55% p.a., subject to lender assessment. On its own, though, the interest rate is incomplete: it says nothing about the fees attached to the loan, which can meaningfully change what you actually pay over the term.
What the comparison rate adds
The comparison rate takes the interest rate and folds in most of the fees, such as establishment and ongoing account charges, to give a single figure that better reflects the true cost. Because it captures more than the headline number, it is a fairer basis for weighing one deal against another. A loan with a slightly higher interest rate but low fees can end up with a lower comparison rate than a headline-cheap loan loaded with charges. That is the whole point of the comparison rate: to stop fees hiding behind an attractive interest figure.
Why the two can diverge
The gap between the interest rate and the comparison rate is essentially the weight of the fees. A large gap suggests significant fees; a small gap suggests a lean fee structure. Some lenders deliberately advertise a low interest rate and recover margin through fees, which widens the gap. Others price fees modestly and show a tighter spread. Neither approach is automatically better, but the comparison rate is what lets you see through the marketing and judge which structure actually costs you less over the life of the loan.
Which figure should you use
Use both, but lean on the comparison rate when deciding between offers, because it captures fees the interest rate ignores. Keep in mind that comparison rates are usually calculated on a standard example loan, so they may not match your exact amount and term. And some charges can still sit outside the comparison rate entirely. The safest approach is to check the comparison rate, read the fee schedule, and then look at the total cost over your actual term. That combination gives you the clearest read on genuine value.
Comparing accurately across lenders
Lenders present interest and comparison rates a little differently, which makes a fair comparison harder than it looks, and gathering quotes yourself risks multiple credit enquiries on your file. A broker gathers indicative pricing from suitable lenders in one pass and presents both figures consistently, so you can see where the headline rate is genuinely competitive and where fees are quietly lifting the real cost. That saves you decoding each lender's format while protecting your credit score from unnecessary enquiries.
Understanding both numbers is the key to a deal that is genuinely competitive rather than just cheap on paper. Overdrive puts one dedicated broker across 80+ lenders on a single application, presenting interest and comparison rates you can weigh side by side. Reach out for a no-obligation review and see the true cost behind the headline rate on your truck finance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the comparison rate always higher than the interest rate?
Usually, yes, because it includes fees on top of the interest rate. The size of the gap reflects how heavy those fees are. If the two are close, the loan has a lean fee structure; a wide gap points to significant fees. Occasionally a fee-free loan shows little to no difference between the two.
Can I rely on the comparison rate alone?
It is a strong guide but not the whole story. Comparison rates are based on a standard example loan, so they may not match your exact amount or term, and some charges sit outside them. Check the comparison rate, read the fee schedule, and look at total cost over your actual term to be sure.
Why do lenders advertise the interest rate instead of the comparison rate?
The interest rate is typically the lower, more attractive figure, so it draws attention. The comparison rate exists to counter this by revealing fees. When weighing offers, treat the interest rate as a starting point and the comparison rate as the fairer basis for judging which deal actually costs less.
Does a lower comparison rate mean the cheapest loan for me?
Often, but not always. Because comparison rates use a standard example, your real amount, term and any balloon can shift the outcome. The most reliable check is the total cost over your specific term. A broker can model this across lenders so you compare true cost, subject to lender assessment.
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