When Can I Refinance My Car

What Is The Best Company To Refinance An Auto Loan With

There isnt a clear-cut best company to refinance with, as every applicant has different needs.

For example, if you have a very low credit score, you may find Auto Credit Express is your best option. Thats because the network partners with more than 1,200 different lenders many of whom deal specifically with bad-credit applicants.

If youre looking to take out a loan for more than you owe on your car, youll likely find RoadLoans.com is your best option. Thats because the networks cash-out refinancing allows you to borrow up to 90% of your vehicles total Kelley Blue Book value.

You can use part of the proceeds to pay off your existing loan and keep the rest for yourself to spend how you choose. Not every refinance company offers this kind of loan.

But, if youre looking for a company with a name you likely know and trust, you may consider Capital One to be the best. The worldwide brand has a long history of success and offers numerous financial products that meet the needs of all consumers.

The Best Time To Refinance Your Car Loan

So, when should you look to replace your current car loan with a new one? There isnt a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Once youre six months or even a year into the life of the loan, youll have an easier time finding willing lenders but is it the best time for you?

Lets explore some indicators that its the right time to refinance your car loan.

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Should You Wait To Refinance Your Car Yes Heres Why

Dont rush to refinance your car loan or wait too long.

If youre a first-time car buyer, you might not be familiar with auto loan refinances.

Refinancing your auto loan can be a prudent financial move. The primary goal after all is to save money.

Ideally, your new loan will have a lower interest rate, thereby lowering your monthly car payment and reducing your total interest. You can then use the extra cash to pay down your loan faster, build up savings, or cover some other financial need.

But how long should you wait to refinance your car loan? Does it even matter?

Spoiler alert: Yes, it matters.

2022 Auto Refinance Rates

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Does Your Car Have Negative Equity

Negative equity refers to the outstanding loan amount on your vehicle being greater than its value. A common phrase you may have heard is that someone is upside down on their loan, meaning they have negative equity. For example, if you purchased a car for $23,000 and youve paid $5,000 towards your auto loan, you have a loan balance of $18,000. Should the vehicle be worth $15,000 in the market, then you have $3,000 of negative equity in that car. Some borrowers may have a harder time being approved for new loans or getting loans with favorable terms, since lenders want their loan security to be valued higher than the amount they lend. In the example above, you could be asked to cover the $3,000 difference before entering into a new loan.

Months Left On The Car Loan

If youre considering refinancing, youll want to act while theres still some time left on your loan as many lenders have a minimum requirement. For instance, LendingClub Bank requires at least 24 months remaining on the original loan term. Plus, the later in the term you are, the more interest youve already paid offwhich means it could be more cost-effective to simply stick with your original loan and finish off the principal.

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Do I Have To Pay Longer

In some cases, yes, and in other cases, no. It depends on the terms you set up. If you want to lower your payment because of unforeseeable circumstances and your vehicle is still in good health, you can extend your loan to alleviate financial burden. If you want to keep your payment and just lower your interest, youll end up paying less money overall and still stay on track for your original payoff date.

You Want To Change The Loan Term

It also makes sense to refinance your car loan when you need a lower monthly payment. You could extend the length of the loan on your car refinance to get a lower payment. Still, its important to note that extending the length of your loan, which is known as the loan term, reduces your payment but also increases the amount of interest youll pay over time. And it works the other way, too: Reduce the term, and your monthly payment will increase while the amount of interest you pay overall will fall.

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Coronavirus Auto Finance Relief

COVID-19 has hurt lots of peoples finances. If youre worried about being able to keep your car, you may be able to get some help. Credit Karma has gathered a list of automakers and lenders that are offering relief options. We also have some other resources if youre looking for financial assistance.

But you may be looking to refinance to take advantage of lower interest rates which resulted from the Fed dropping its rates because of the pandemic. If thats the case, youll want to consider the advice in the article above.

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A Closer Look At Bank Of America Auto Loans

Bank of America offers loans for new and used cars purchased from dealers. It also offers lease buyouts, refinancing loans and loans for vehicles purchased from private parties. The Bank of America auto loan site lists out the APRs for each product, but keep in mind that the interest rates listed are the lowest available. The rate that you ultimately receive will be based on a variety of factors, from the type of vehicle youre buying, to your , to where you live.

Interest rates for Bank of America auto loans are competitively priced. According to Experian, the average interest rate for a new car loan for consumers with prime credit scores is 4.68% Bank of Americas lowest APR offer for new vehicles purchased from dealers is just 4.34%.

If youre already a Bank of America customer, you could score some discounts on your loan. The bank offers discounts of 0.25%, 0.35% and 0.50% if youre a member of its Preferred Rewards program. Heres a quick breakdown:

You Have An Older Car

If you have a car thats 10 years or older, you may have difficulties finding a lender willing to refinance. Many lenders set limits on how old a vehicle can be in order to qualify for the loan. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to refinance, consider taking out a personal loan or trading in the vehicle as alternative options.

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The Interest Rate Is Higher Than Your Current Loan

If your credit score has gone down or rates have gone up since you first took out the loan, you could end up with a higher interest rate through refinancing. And that might be okay if your goal is to get a longer term and lower monthly payments. Do the math first to make sure the tradeoff is worth it.

How Can I Refinance My Car Loan

Find out which lenders provide auto refinancing and obtain many quotes. Check with your present lender to determine if an application would be accepted. If it doesnt, dont be startled not all lenders that offer auto loans also offer auto refinancing, and some wont refinance their loans. More information on the best sites to look for car refinancing can be found here. Dont forget to check out what your bank or credit union has to offer. It may be simple to apply if you already have a relationship with a financial institution.

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Your Current Credit Score

Check your credit score using one of the three major bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Is your credit score better than it was when you initially applied for a car loan? If so, now might be a good time to refinance.

On word to the wise: Refinancing will result in another hard inquiry on your credit report, which will negatively affect your score for about a year. It may also lower the average age of your accounts, which can negatively affect your credit score. So, if you need a high credit score for another reason, like applying for a new mortgage or taking out a new lease on an apartment, consider this in your decision to refinance your car.

However, there’s no hard inquiry involved in getting a quote, so if you’re not sure whether the savings will be enough to make a difference, you can always get a quick and easy quote to help make your decision.

When To Consider Refinancing Your Auto Loan

While an auto loan refinance can save you money, its not the right fit for everybody. You should assess your needs to decide if its a good time to refinance your auto loan before you apply. For example, if your credit score has improved or interest rates have dropped, you may be able to secure more favorable terms than your original plan. If youre having trouble making your monthly payments, refinancing your auto loan can also be an opportunity to lower premiums to meet your budget.

If your credit score is lower than when you initially applied, or if interest rates are much higher, it usually doesnt make sense to apply for an auto loan refinance. You should only go through with an auto loan refinance if the rates and terms are better than your original loan.

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When To Refinance A Car

Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the authors opinions and recommendations alone. It may not have been reviewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.

Figuring out if and when you should refinance a car can be tricky, but if you approach it the right way , youll be able to make the right choice. You should refinance a car when it could help you save money, get you a lower payment or both. You should probably skip refinancing if youre underwater on your current loan, youve bought the car recently or your current loan has prepayment penalties.

Heres more on when to refinance a car and when to wait.

• Next steps: How to refinance a car loan

How Many Times Can I Refinance My Car Loan

The number of times you can refinance a car is unrestricted by law. However, the lender with whom you want to refinance must agree, and each has its own set of criteria. Lenders are in business to make money, and if they notice youve refinanced your car multiple times, they may decide not to extend you a loan.

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How To Refinance A Car

To refinance an auto loan, gather all the necessary documents. Then, evaluate your credit profile and your car’s information to determine if refinancing is beneficial and if you qualify. Lenders will post their requirements online and some even allow you to file for pre-qualification.

Before starting the application process, shop around and compare offers from different auto refinance lenders. When you settle on the best one, submit a formal application and wait for the lender’s formal offer. If accepted, you can finalize the document, settle the previous loan, and start your loan payments with the new lender.

Best Auto Refinance Companies Of September 2022

Jhoni JacksonClaudia Rodríguez HamiltonJhoni Jackson27 min read

Compare rates without a credit check or inputting your SSN

About 200 lenders in its marketplace

All scores can apply, but best for 640 and up

Specializes in borrowers with bad credit

Average monthly savings of $150

The best auto refinance companies offer transparent, reliable service to consumers looking for competitive rates from a variety of lenders, including banks, credit unions and non-depository financial lenders.

Your potential savings will be determined by multiple factors , annual income and the outstanding amount of your current loan and the importance of each will depend on the individual auto refinance company.

Read on to see our top picks of 2022 and learn how to get the best loan terms that fit your needs.

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Is Refinancing Worth It

If youre simply refinancing, and you know youll get a better rate and save yourself some money, its really a no-brainer. If, however, youre not sure youll save any money, use this auto refinance calculator to estimate your savings and decide if it makes good financial sense to refinance.

In many cases, people refinance because they need to lower their monthly payment, usually due to some unforeseen financial crisis. Finding balance between your immediate financial needs and long-term financial health is never easy but if you do the math and plan accordingly, you can make the right financial decision for you and your family.

If refinancing your vehicle is necessary to improve your cash flow, you may refinance now to get back into a positive financial situation. Once your personal finances have stabilized, start making extra payments on your auto loan to pay it down faster, provided that there arent prepayment penalties on your new loan. Youll pay off your auto loan sooner and save yourself some interest expense.

Are You Unhappy With Your Current Auto Loan Maybe Its Time To Consider Refinancing

The principle behind auto loan refinancing is simple: You take on a new loan to pay off the balance on your existing auto loan. If youre struggling with a high interest rate or an unaffordable monthly payment, refinancing could be the key to finding better, more favorable terms.

Refinancing your auto loan could help lower your monthly payments by lengthening the term of your repayment. Or it could help you save money through a lower interest rate.

Your expected monthly payment would go down to $364, and youd pay a total of $1,830 in interest.

In this case, refinancing your auto loan would save you $23 per month and a whopping $1,366 over the remaining life of the loan.

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When It Doesnt Make Sense To Refinance

• Youre upside down on your current loan. You shouldnt refinance your car loan if you owe more on your current vehicle than its worthalso known as being upside down, which means you have negative equity.
• Youll be hit with a prepayment penalty. Another reason not to do it is if your current lender has a prepayment penalty in place that costs more than any potential savings.
• Youre currently applying for another loan. If youre applying for another loan, like a mortgage, refinancing your car loan at the same time isnt ideal. Your credit score would be negatively impacted, making it hard for you to get the loan, or you could be saddled with a higher interest rate.
• You have a low balance on your current loan. If you have a low outstanding balance on your existing car loan, it doesnt make sense to refinance. Instead, you should either pay it all off to free up room in your budget or keep making payments to make your credit record as strong as possible.

Its important to remember that the longer you take to repay your loan, the more interest youll have to pay over time. So be sure to use an auto loan calculator to see if refinancing will save you money before making your final decision.

How Do I Refinance My Car

Once you’ve committed to refinancing your car loan, start by researching lenders. As you shop around and evaluate your options, consider these questions:

• What are the new interest rate and loan term?
• What is included in the monthly payment?
• Is there a prepayment penalty on either your new or your existing loan?
• What does the application process look like?

After you choose a lender and apply, the lender will in turn research your financial situation. Generally, lenders conduct their own independent appraisal of the car, run a credit check on you and verify your income and car insurance during the application process.

Auto loan refinancing is typically faster than mortgage refinancing and can take roughly two weeks to complete.

Once approved by a lender, you may have several loan options to choose from, with varying terms and interest rates. Some loans may offer longer repayment terms, which generally means higher interest rates and lower monthly payments. On the other hand, shorter repayment terms typically come with lower interest rates but higher monthly payments.

Your new lender is responsible for paying off the remaining balance from your old loan, but you will still need to pay your monthly loan payments on time during the transition period. Afterwards, you will start making payments to your new lender and enjoying the benefits of your refinance.

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