Auto Loans — AutoCents.co

Compare Lenders

Two trusted lending networks

One application, multiple lender offers. Find the right fit for your credit profile and loan type.

All credit welcome

Compare rates from multiple lenders with one application. New, used, and refinance loans available nationwide. Get up to 4 offers in minutes.

Best for

New & used cars

Loan types

Purchase & refi

Compare up to 4 lenders at once
No obligation — check rates first
New, used, and refinance loans
Fast online application

Get my rate →

Bad credit OK

Specializes in connecting buyers with dealers and lenders who work with challenged credit — including bankruptcies and first-time buyers.

Best for

Bad credit

Response

Same day

Accepts all credit types
Bankruptcy and repos OK
First-time buyer friendly
No obligation to buy

Check my options →

Free Tools

Run the numbers first

Know your monthly payment and total interest before you apply.

Auto Loan Calculator

Estimate your monthly payment based on price, term, and rate.

Open →

Early Payoff Calculator

See how much interest you save by paying off your loan early.

Open →

Common Questions

Auto loan questions answered

Everything you need to know before you apply.

Most traditional lenders prefer a score of 660 or higher. However, scores below 600 can still qualify through specialized lenders like Auto Credit Express who work specifically with challenged credit. The lower your score, the higher your rate will typically be.

Yes — always. Getting pre-approved gives you a rate benchmark so you can tell if the dealer's financing offer is competitive. Dealers mark up rates from lenders and keep the difference. Knowing your rate before you walk in gives you real negotiating power.

The interest rate is the base cost of borrowing the money. APR (Annual Percentage Rate) includes the interest rate plus any fees charged by the lender, giving you the true total cost of the loan. Always compare APRs, not just interest rates, when shopping lenders.

Shorter terms (36–48 months) mean higher monthly payments but less total interest. Longer terms (60–84 months) lower your monthly payment but cost significantly more over time. A 72-month loan on a $30,000 car at 7% APR costs over $4,500 more in interest than a 48-month loan.

Yes — if rates have dropped since you took out your loan, or your credit score has improved, refinancing can lower your rate and monthly payment. MyAutoLoan offers refinancing options and you can check your rate without affecting your credit score.

Know Before You Apply

Everything you need to know about auto loans

Use this information alongside the lender comparison above to find the best loan for your situation.

Average rates by credit score

Your credit score is the single biggest factor in determining your auto loan rate. Here are the current average rates by credit tier.

Credit Score	New Car	Used Car
781–850 (Excellent)	4.55%	6.30%
661–780 (Good)	6.23%	8.77%
601–660 (Fair)	9.67%	14.03%
501–600 (Poor)	13.44%	19.42%
300–500 (Deep subprime)	16.01%	21.77%

Source: Experian, Q1 2026

Loan term comparison

Longer terms lower your monthly payment but cost significantly more in total interest. Here's what the difference looks like on a $25,000 car at 9% APR, including NJ sales tax and $1,100 in fees.

Term	Monthly	Total Interest
36 months	$883	$4,019
48 months	$691	$5,398
60 months	$576	$6,814
72 months	$500	$8,267
84 months	$447	$9,756

6 tips to get the best auto loan rate

Get pre-approved before you shop

A pre-approval gives you a rate benchmark so you can tell if the dealer's financing offer is competitive. Dealers mark up rates from lenders and keep the difference.

Apply to multiple lenders

Apply to at least 2–3 lenders within a 14-day window. Multiple auto loan inquiries in that period count as a single hard pull on your credit score.

Put more money down

A larger down payment reduces the amount you borrow, lowers your monthly payment, and reduces total interest paid. Aim for 20% on a new car, 10% on used.

Choose a shorter loan term

The longer the loan term, the more interest you pay. A 48-month loan on $25,000 at 9% saves you nearly $2,600 in interest compared to a 72-month loan.

Improve your credit first

Even a small improvement in your credit score can save thousands. Going from fair (620) to good (680) could cut your rate by 3–4 percentage points on a new car loan.

Refinance if rates drop or your credit improves

You're not locked in forever. If interest rates fall or your credit score improves significantly after you take out your loan, refinancing can lower your rate and reduce your monthly payment and total interest paid.

Find the best loan rate before you step into a dealership