Quick Answer
What rate will I pay with subprime credit in 2026? If your credit score sits between 501 and 600 (subprime), Experian's Q2 2026 averages were 13.52% on new cars and 19.10% on used. Near-prime borrowers (601-660) averaged 9.71% new and 13.93% used, and deep subprime (300-500) 16.11% new and 21.62% used. These are averages by tier, not quotes; your rate depends on the lender, term, down payment and vehicle. On a $25,000, 60-month new-car loan, the gap between the prime average (6.15%) and the subprime average (13.52%) is about $5,426 in extra interest ($9,530 versus $4,104).
Key Takeaways
- Subprime auto APRs averaged 7.37 percentage points above prime on new cars and 10.29 points on used in Experian's Q2 2026 data (13.52% against 6.15% new; 19.10% against 8.81% used)
- Deep subprime borrowers averaged 16.11% APR on new cars and 21.62% on used (Experian Q2 2026); Experian warns that buy-here-pay-here loans can be incredibly expensive
- 72-month and 84-month loans lower the monthly payment but add interest: in the illustration in Section 6, 84 months costs $8,617 more interest than 48 months, and the CFPB notes a longer loan keeps you at risk of negative equity for longer
- Credit unions averaged 2.2 percentage points below banks on a 48-month used-car loan (5.53% vs 7.73%, NCUA, December 2025); NCUA does not break its averages out by credit score
- The dealer markup is negotiable -- the CFPB describes it as the extra rate a dealer charges on top of the rate the lender approved, set at the dealer's discretion rather than by your creditworthiness
- Moving out of the subprime tier to the near-prime or prime average saves about $2,870-$5,430 in interest on a $25,000, 60-month new-car loan (Section 8)
What Counts as Subprime in Auto Lending?
Experian's State of the Automotive Finance Market sorts auto borrowers into five credit-score tiers, scored on VantageScore 4.0; each lender sets its own cutoffs. Knowing where your score falls is the first step to predicting your APR.
| Credit Tier | Score Range (VantageScore 4.0) | Avg New-Car APR | Avg Used-Car APR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Superprime | 781 - 850 | 4.41% | 6.29% |
| Prime | 661 - 780 | 6.15% | 8.81% |
| Near-prime | 601 - 660 | 9.71% | 13.93% |
| Subprime | 501 - 600 | 13.52% | 19.10% |
| Deep subprime | 300 - 500 | 16.11% | 21.62% |
Tier definitions and boundaries: Experian State of the Automotive Finance Market, Q2 2026 (released August 27, 2026 -- the most recent edition published as of September 28, 2026). Average APRs: Experian, "Average Car Loan Interest Rates by Credit Score" (Q2 2026 data, updated September 10, 2026). Experian places borrowers in these tiers by VantageScore 4.0; a lender that prices on a FICO score may draw the lines differently. Experian does not publish the share of borrowers in each tier.
Why "Subprime" Includes 600
On Experian's tiers, 600 is the top of subprime and 601 the bottom of near-prime, and the two tiers' new-car averages differ by 3.81 points (13.52% against 9.71%). Each lender sets its own cutoffs and prices within them, so the averages are benchmarks, not the rate a 599 or a 601 will be quoted. If your score is just below a tier line, a small increase before applying may move you into the next tier's range of offers.
The Lender's View: Why Subprime Costs More
Experian explains that a lower credit score indicates a greater statistical likelihood of defaulting on a loan, which may cause lenders to charge a higher rate to compensate for this risk. In its Q2 2026 Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit (released August 11, 2026), the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported that transitions into early delinquency rose slightly for auto loans and that new auto-loan delinquencies remain at elevated levels, while aggregate delinquency across all household debt improved slightly to 4.7% of outstanding debt. The New York Fed publishes this report quarterly, roughly six weeks after quarter-end, so a more recent edition than the one cited here may already be out; the household debt and credit page (opens in new tab) always carries the current quarter. Lenders price that expected loss into the rate. To illustrate the lender's side with assumed figures, not published ones: if 12% of a group of loans defaulted and repossession recovered half of each defaulted balance, the lender would lose 6% of the amount lent (12% × 50%) before servicing costs.
Subprime Auto Loan Rates by Credit Score in 2026
The table below gives Experian's Q2 2026 average new and used car APRs for the near-prime, subprime and deep subprime tiers, from its State of the Automotive Finance Market (released August 27, 2026), plus the monthly payment and total interest on a $25,000, 60-month new-car loan at each new-car average. Experian's Q2 2026 tier-wide averages on new vehicles were 9.71% near-prime, 13.52% subprime, and 16.11% deep subprime; on used vehicles, 13.93%, 19.10%, and 21.62% respectively. Experian publishes averages by tier, not by individual score, and we found no public source for rates within a tier, so the table does not split the tiers further.
| Credit Tier (VantageScore 4.0) | Avg New Car APR | Avg Used Car APR | Monthly Pmt ($25K, 60 mo., new) | Total Interest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Near-prime (601 - 660) | 9.71% | 13.93% | $528 | $6,657 |
| Subprime (501 - 600) | 13.52% | 19.10% | $576 | $9,530 |
| Deep subprime (300 - 500) | 16.11% | 21.62% | $609 | $11,565 |
The Real Cost of Each Tier
The interest difference between the subprime average (13.52%) and the near-prime average (9.71%) on a $25,000, 60-month new-car loan is about $2,873 in extra interest ($9,530 versus $6,657). On Experian's tiers, that line sits between a score of 600 and 601.
Worked Examples: How Subprime Pricing Plays Out
Averages are abstract until you see the dollar impact. Here are three illustrative scenarios. Every rate in them is an assumed rate chosen for the example, not a quote or a published average. Each assumes a $25,000 vehicle, $0 down, no trade-in, and a 60-month loan unless noted.
Scenario A: 580 FICO, Used Car, 60-Month Loan
You are buying a 3-year-old used car for $25,000 with a 580 credit score. Suppose your dealer offers 17.0% APR for 60 months, and compare it with an assumed 11.0% at a 660 score.
| Item | Subprime Pricing | If You Were 660 FICO |
|---|---|---|
| Loan amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| APR (assumed) | 17.0% | 11.0% |
| Term | 60 months | 60 months |
| Monthly payment | $621.31 | $543.56 |
| Total interest | $12,278.86 | $7,613.63 |
| Subprime penalty | -- | $4,665.23 extra |
Takeaway: At these assumed rates, the 580 score costs about $4,665 more than the 660 score on the same loan. Paying down credit card balances and disputing report errors before you apply are the levers you control.
Run this example in the Auto Loan Calculator (subprime pricing at 17.0%)
Run this example in the Auto Loan Calculator (at 11.0%, as a 660 FICO)
Scenario B: 630 FICO, New Car, 72-Month Loan
You finance a $25,000 new car. Suppose the dealer offers an assumed 13.0% over 72 months to keep the monthly payment "affordable."
| Item | 72-Month Loan | 60-Month Loan (same APR) |
|---|---|---|
| Loan amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| APR (assumed) | 13.0% | 13.0% |
| Monthly payment | $501.85 | $568.83 |
| Total interest | $11,133.39 | $9,129.61 |
| Long-term penalty | $2,003.78 extra | -- |
Takeaway: Stretching to 72 months saves about $67 per month but costs about $2,004 in extra interest. The CFPB notes that a longer loan also puts you at risk of having negative equity for a longer period of time; if the car is totaled, stolen, or you have to sell while you owe more than it is worth, you owe the difference. The same dynamic worsens at 84 months.
Run this example in the Auto Loan Calculator (over 72 months)
Run this example in the Auto Loan Calculator (over 60 months at the same APR)
Scenario C: 520 FICO, Buy-Here-Pay-Here Lot
Suppose a buy-here-pay-here (BHPH) dealer approves you on a $15,000 used car at an assumed 22.0% APR for 48 months, and a credit union would lend to you at an assumed 17.0%.
| Item | BHPH Dealer | Credit Union (Subprime) |
|---|---|---|
| Loan amount | $15,000 | $15,000 |
| APR (assumed) | 22.0% | 17.0% |
| Term | 48 months | 48 months |
| Monthly payment | $472.59 | $432.83 |
| Total interest | $7,684.38 | $5,775.63 |
| BHPH premium | $1,908.75 extra | -- |
Takeaway: At these assumed rates, the BHPH loan costs about $1,909 more than the credit-union loan for the same borrower. Experian describes BHPH loans as in-house dealer financing that can be incredibly expensive, and notes that your positive payment history may not be reported to the credit bureaus, so on-time payments may not help you rebuild credit. If a credit union will say yes, compare that offer first.
Run this example in the Auto Loan Calculator (the BHPH dealer at 22.0%)
Run this example in the Auto Loan Calculator (the credit union at 17.0%)
Every payment and interest figure in these three scenarios uses the standard amortization formula documented on our loan calculator methodology page -- our auto loan calculator has no separate methodology page of its own.
Where to Borrow: Lender Type Matters More for Subprime
Where you apply matters, but public data on it is thin. The only public comparison of average rates by lender type we found is NCUA's, which covers credit unions and banks across all borrowers; nobody publishes average subprime rates by lender type. For every other lender type, compare the APR in each written offer.
| Lender Type | Published Average (used car, 48 mo., all borrowers) | Key Watch-Outs |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Union | 5.53% (NCUA 2025 Q4) | Membership required; eligibility varies |
| Bank | 7.73% (NCUA 2025 Q4) | Compare with the credit-union average |
| Online Lender | No public average found | Ask about origination fees |
| Captive Auto Lender (manufacturer) | No public average found | Finances its own brand's vehicles |
| Dealer-Arranged (indirect) | No public average found | Rate may include a dealer markup (CFPB) |
| Buy-Here-Pay-Here | No public average found | Can be very expensive; payments may not be reported to the credit bureaus (Experian) |
Credit Union Advantage at Subprime
The National Credit Union Administration's rate comparison does not break rates out by credit score. Its national averages across all borrowers put credit unions about 2 percentage points below banks -- 5.53% versus 7.73% on a 48-month used-car loan in the fourth quarter of 2025, the latest quarter it had published as of September 28, 2026. On a $20,000, 48-month loan, that gap is worth about $976 in interest ($2,339 against $3,315). Credit unions are member-owned, not-for-profit cooperatives, which NCUA says return profits to members in the form of lower loan rates, among other things. Use the NCUA Credit Union Locator (opens in new tab) to find one accepting your eligibility.
The 72-Month and 84-Month Subprime Trap
A long loan term is a costly trap at subprime rates. A 72-month or 84-month term produces an "affordable" monthly payment -- but the underlying math is brutal. The FTC warns that low monthly payment offers "often have longer loan periods and higher interest rates, which means they're much more expensive overall." Experian puts the average used-car loan term at 67.86 months in Q2 2026. The table below uses assumed rates, not quotes or published averages.
| Term | APR | Monthly Payment | Total Interest | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 months | 14.5% (assumed) | $689 | $8,094 | $33,094 |
| 60 months | 15.0% (assumed) | $595 | $10,685 | $35,685 |
| 72 months | 15.5% (assumed) | $535 | $13,551 | $38,551 |
| 84 months | 16.0% (assumed) | $497 | $16,710 | $41,710 |
Negative Equity: The Hidden Cost
The CFPB notes that a longer loan puts you at risk of having negative equity -- owing more than the vehicle is worth -- for a longer period of time. If you owe more than your trade-in value, the CFPB says a dealer or lender may offer to roll the balance into your new loan, but this will make the new loan more expensive. If the car is totaled and your gap insurance is insufficient, you owe the difference in cash.
The "Lower Monthly Payment" Illusion
From the dealer's perspective, the 84-month loan feels like a service to you -- the monthly payment fits your budget. But you pay $8,617 more in interest compared with a 48-month version of the same loan ($16,710 versus $8,094 in the 84- and 48-month rows above; to the cent, $16,710.33 minus $8,093.54 is $8,616.79). That money is gone whether you keep the car or not. Monthly cash-flow limits are real, so compare the total cost, not only the payment.
What to Do Instead
If a 60-month payment seems unaffordable, consider a less expensive vehicle or a larger down payment before extending the term. At assumed rates, a $20,000 car at 60 months ($476/month at 15%) costs about $5,000 less in interest than a $25,000 car at 72 months at the 15.5% shown in the table above.
Predatory Lending Red Flags: What to Watch For
These are practices to watch for at any credit tier; where a federal agency has said something about one, we quote it. Recognizing them before you sign is your strongest defense.
Red Flag 1: "Yo-Yo" Financing
You drive home in the new car, then days or weeks later the dealer calls saying "the financing fell through" and you need to sign a new contract at different terms. State rules on this differ; if a dealer attempts it, contact your state attorney general's office. Before you sign, the CFPB says lenders must give you written Truth in Lending disclosures with your loan terms "fully filled out," and you can insist on receiving them earlier to review. Insist on financing that is final before you drive the car off the lot.
Red Flag 2: Undisclosed Dealer Markup
Indirect lenders quote dealers a "buy rate" -- the actual approval rate. Lenders often let the dealer charge you more than the buy rate and share part of the extra interest with the dealer. The CFPB, which calls this "dealer markup," says it gives dealers the discretion to charge different rates regardless of creditworthiness, and research it cites indicates that African American and Hispanic borrowers have been charged higher markups than similarly situated white borrowers. Ask explicitly: "What rate did the lender approve me for, before any dealer markup?" A dealer who refuses to disclose is not a dealer to do business with.
Red Flag 3: Loaded Add-Ons
GAP insurance, extended warranties, vehicle service contracts, VIN etching, rustproofing, tire-and-wheel coverage. The FTC warns that add-ons "can cost thousands of dollars," that dealers may try to include them "without your knowledge or approval," and that "you can buy most add-ons from independent retailers." The CFPB adds that add-ons are optional and, if you choose them, "the price is negotiable." Decline add-ons unless you have priced them independently first.
Red Flag 4: GPS Trackers and Starter Interrupters
Some lenders install GPS trackers or starter-interrupt devices that can disable the vehicle if you miss a payment. Rules on these devices vary by state. If a lender requires one, get the disclosure in writing and check your state's rules with your attorney general's office.
Red Flag 5: "Spot Delivery" Pressure
Spot delivery is when the dealer hands you the keys before financing is finalized, which sets up the yo-yo call in Red Flag 1. Once you have taken the car home, it is harder to walk away from a new contract. If financing isn't fully finalized, the car stays at the dealership.
Where to Report Predatory Practices
The CFPB accepts complaints about auto lenders at consumerfinance.gov/complaint (opens in new tab). The FTC accepts complaints about dealer practices at reportfraud.ftc.gov (opens in new tab). State attorney general offices handle state-level violations. Filing a complaint puts the practice on record with the agency.
5 Strategies to Escape the Subprime Tier
If you can delay your purchase, the highest-leverage move is to improve your credit score before applying. On Experian's tiers, a 50-point increase from 580 to 630, or a 75-point increase from 600 to 675, moves you out of subprime entirely: to near-prime (9.71% new-car average) or prime (6.15%), against 13.52% at subprime.
1. Pay Down Credit Card Balances
Amounts owed make up 30% of a FICO Score, per myFICO, which says that using a lot of your available credit "may indicate that you are overextended." Paying down card balances lowers your utilization. See our credit utilization calculator to see the utilization for your card mix.
2. Dispute Errors on All Three Credit Reports
Pull free reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com (opens in new tab) and dispute any incorrect late payments, accounts that aren't yours, or balances that don't match. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681i), a bureau generally has 30 days to reinvestigate a dispute, and must promptly delete or correct an item it finds inaccurate or cannot verify.
3. Pay Off Any Charged-Off or Collection Accounts
myFICO says that in FICO Score 9, "any third-party collections (including medical) that have been paid off no longer have a negative impact." Older FICO versions, which some auto lenders still use, can still count a paid collection. Get any payoff agreement in writing before you pay.
4. Become an Authorized User on a Family Member's Card
If a parent, spouse, or sibling has a credit card with low utilization and a long, on-time history, being added as an authorized user can add that card's history to your report. The primary cardholder stays responsible for the account, so agree in advance on whether you will hold a card at all.
5. Shop and Apply Within a 14-Day Window
Scoring models treat multiple auto loan inquiries made inside one rate-shopping window as a single inquiry. Newer FICO versions use a 45-day window (opens in new tab); older FICO versions and VantageScore use 14 days, so finishing inside 14 days is protected under every model. This means you can apply to a credit union, a community bank, an online subprime specialist, and a manufacturer captive lender within two weeks and only see one inquiry on your report. Use this rule deliberately to compare offers without compounding the credit-score impact. See our complete guide to getting the best auto loan rate.
What Moving a Tier Is Worth
Strategies 1-4 are the ways to earn the increase that moves a borrower up a tier (580 to 630, or 600 to 675); how long it takes depends on your credit file, and no public source puts a reliable timeline on it. On a $25,000, 60-month new-car loan, moving from the subprime average APR (13.52%) to the near-prime average (9.71%) cuts total interest from about $9,530 to $6,657, and reaching the prime average (6.15%) cuts it to about $4,104 -- about $2,870-$5,430 in interest savings (Experian Q2 2026 tier averages). The trade-off is delaying the purchase, which only makes sense if your current vehicle is functional. If you must buy now, strategies 5 and the credit-union route still produce meaningful savings without the wait.
Refinancing Out of a Subprime Loan
If you already have a subprime auto loan, refinancing as your credit improves can cut the interest you have left to pay. Ask prospective lenders what they need before they will refinance, such as a completed title transfer.
When Refinancing a Subprime Auto Loan Makes Sense
- Your credit score has moved up a tier since the original loan
- You accepted dealer-arranged financing and suspect a dealer markup
- The average for your tier now sits well below your rate, by enough to outweigh any refinancing fees
- You are still early in the loan term -- refinancing late saves less because more of the interest is already paid
Refinancing Savings Example
An illustration on assumed rates (17.5% and 10.0%), not quotes or averages:
| Item | Original Subprime Loan | Refinanced (660 FICO) |
|---|---|---|
| Remaining balance (after 18 months) | $18,200 | $18,200 |
| Interest rate | 17.5% | 10.0% |
| Remaining term | 42 months | 42 months |
| Monthly payment | $582.56 | $515.37 |
| Remaining interest | $6,268 | $3,445 |
| Total savings | -- | $2,823 |
Takeaway: In this illustration, after an 80-point credit-score improvement (580 to 660) over 18 months, moving from the assumed 17.5% to the assumed 10.0% rate is a refinance that saves $2,823 in interest and lowers your monthly payment by about $67. For a deeper look at the auto refinance decision, see our guide to refinancing your car loan.
5 Costly Mistakes Subprime Borrowers Make
- Focusing only on the monthly payment. The FTC warns that low monthly payment offers "often have longer loan periods and higher interest rates." At assumed rates, on about the same loan amount, a $400 monthly payment over 84 months at 16% racks up about $13,500 in interest, versus about $8,500 for a $475 monthly payment over 60 months at 15% -- the longer loan costs roughly $5,100 more in total payments, about $4,900 of it interest.
- Accepting dealer financing without comparison shopping. Lenders often let the dealer charge you a higher rate than the one the lender approved and share part of the extra interest with the dealer -- what the CFPB calls "dealer markup" -- so the first offer is not necessarily the lowest rate you qualify for. A credit union pre-approval gives you a rate to compare against. Pre-approval is leverage.
- Buying GAP insurance and add-ons through the dealer without comparing. The CFPB lists GAP insurance among optional add-ons whose price is negotiable, and the FTC notes you can buy most add-ons from independent retailers. Get a price from your auto insurer or credit union before you accept the dealer's.
- Not pulling credit reports before applying. Walking into a dealership without knowing your score is walking in blind. The dealer sees your full credit profile while you do not. Pull your reports for free at AnnualCreditReport.com (opens in new tab) at minimum 30 days before shopping.
- Buying a more expensive vehicle than you would on cash. At subprime rates, every extra dollar borrowed carries a high interest cost: borrowing $30,000 when a $15,000 car would meet your needs doubles the balance that accrues interest. The "I can afford the payment" frame masks the total cost. Buy a less expensive car at subprime APRs; trade up later when your credit recovers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Experian's State of the Automotive Finance Market defines subprime as 501-600 and deep subprime as 300-500. Near-prime sits at 601-660. These are Experian's tiers, scored on VantageScore 4.0; each lender sets its own cutoffs. A score of 660 or below puts you in one of Experian's three lower tiers, whose Q2 2026 new-car averages (9.71% to 16.11%) sit well above the prime average of 6.15% (661 and above).
A 600 credit score is the top of Experian's subprime tier (501-600), one point below near-prime. Experian's Q2 2026 subprime averages were 13.52% on new cars and 19.10% on used; Experian publishes averages by tier, not by individual score. On a $25,000, 60-month loan at the 13.52% average, the payment is about $576 a month and total interest about $9,530. At the near-prime average (9.71%), the same loan costs about $6,657 in interest, about $2,870 less.
A 630 credit score sits in Experian's near-prime tier (601-660), where the Q2 2026 averages were 9.71% on new cars and 13.93% on used, across all loan terms; Experian publishes no average by score or by term. As an illustration at an assumed 13% APR, a $25,000 loan over 72 months costs about $502 a month and about $11,133 in total interest, $2,004 more than over 60 months at the same rate. The CFPB notes that a longer loan also puts you at risk of having negative equity for a longer period of time.
Yes, but expect deep-subprime pricing. A 500 score is in Experian's deep subprime tier (300-500), where the Q2 2026 averages were 16.11% on new cars and 21.62% on used. Buy-here-pay-here dealers lend at this tier; Experian warns these loans can be incredibly expensive and your positive payment history may not be reported to the credit bureaus. In its Q2 2026 Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported that transition into early delinquency ticked up slightly for auto loans, and lenders price expected losses into the rate. If you can, improve your score before borrowing.
Yes. The dealer markup -- the extra rate a dealer charges on top of the rate the lender approved -- is set at the dealer's discretion, so it is open to negotiation, and the CFPB notes that the price of optional add-ons is negotiable too. Getting pre-approved by a bank or credit union before visiting the dealership gives you a rate to show the dealer. The CFPB says markup gives dealers the discretion to charge different rates regardless of creditworthiness, and research it cites indicates that African American and Hispanic borrowers have been charged higher markups than similarly situated white borrowers, so always ask to see the rate the lender quoted versus the rate the dealer is offering.
On a $25,000, 60-month auto loan, each 1 percentage point of APR adds roughly $770 to $840 to total interest across the 13%-21% range. Moving from 14% to 13% saves about $773. Moving from 18% to 13% saves roughly $3,960. With Experian's Q2 2026 subprime averages at 13.52% on new cars and 19.10% on used, a score gain that moves you up a tier is worth thousands over the loan.
Generally, no. In an illustration at assumed rates, stretching a $25,000 loan from 60 months at 14% to 84 months at 16% drops the monthly payment from $582 to $497 -- but raises total interest from $9,902 to $16,710, a $6,808 penalty. The CFPB notes that a longer loan also puts you at risk of having negative equity for a longer period of time, meaning you owe more than the vehicle is worth. Aim for 60 months maximum if at all possible.
Your Next Steps
- Pull your three credit reports for free at AnnualCreditReport.com (opens in new tab) -- review for errors and pay down high-utilization cards
- Check your credit score through your bank or credit card issuer -- know which tier you fall into
- Find a credit union through the NCUA Credit Union Locator (opens in new tab) -- many have member-eligibility paths through employer, family, or geography
- Get pre-approved from 3+ lenders within 45 days -- 14 days to be safe under every scoring model (credit union, online subprime specialist, community bank); the inquiries then count as one
- Calculate your real payment at multiple rate-and-term combinations using our auto loan calculator before visiting any dealership
- If possible, delay your purchase to work the credit-improvement strategies in Section 8 -- moving up one or two tiers saves about $2,870-$5,430 in interest on a $25,000, 60-month new-car loan
Calculate Your Subprime Auto Payment
Compare your expected APR across loan terms and down payment scenarios. See your exact monthly payment, total interest, and the dollar impact of credit-score improvements -- before you walk into any dealership.
Sources
- Experian - State of the Automotive Finance Market (Q2 2026, released August 27, 2026) (opens in new tab)
- Experian - Average Car Loan Interest Rates by Credit Score (tier averages, Q2 2026 data, updated September 10, 2026) (opens in new tab)
- Federal Reserve Bank of New York - Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit (opens in new tab)
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau - Auto Loans (opens in new tab)
- CFPB - Auto Loans Resources (opens in new tab)
- CFPB - Fact sheet on dealer markup in indirect auto lending (March 2013) (opens in new tab)
- Federal Trade Commission - Buying a Used Car From a Dealer (Consumer Advice) (opens in new tab)
- FTC - Auto Dealer Enforcement: Deceptive Pricing Warnings (2026) (opens in new tab)
- National Credit Union Administration - Credit Union and Bank Rates (national averages, 2025 Q4) (opens in new tab)
- myFICO - The Scores That Matter in Auto Lending (opens in new tab)
- Experian - Used Car Loan Rates (Q2 2026 data, updated September 10, 2026): average used-car term 67.86 months; buy-here-pay-here loans (opens in new tab)
- CFPB - What things can I negotiate when shopping for a car or auto loan? (longer loans and negative equity; add-ons; last reviewed August 28, 2023) (opens in new tab)
- CFPB - Should I trade in my car if it's not paid off? (rolling negative equity into a new loan; last reviewed September 12, 2023) (opens in new tab)
- CFPB - What should I know before I finalize a car or auto loan? (Truth in Lending disclosures; last reviewed November 8, 2022) (opens in new tab)
- myFICO - What's in my FICO Scores? (amounts owed 30%) (opens in new tab)
- myFICO - FICO Score Versions (paid collections in FICO Score 9) (opens in new tab)
- myFICO - Rate Shopping: the 45-day window on newer FICO versions, 14 days on older ones (opens in new tab)
- VantageScore - FAQs: VantageScore 4.0 counts inquiries within a 14-day window as a single inquiry (read September 29, 2026) (opens in new tab)
- Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. 1681i - Procedure in case of disputed accuracy (opens in new tab)
- NCUA (MyCreditUnion.gov) - What is a Credit Union? (not-for-profit, member-owned; last modified February 4, 2025) (opens in new tab)
Important Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Auto loan rates, lender practices, and consumer protections vary by state, lender, vehicle type, term, and individual credit profile. The example calculations in this guide are illustrative; actual rates and payments will differ. Individual circumstances vary, and you should consult with a qualified financial professional before making auto financing decisions. We do not endorse any specific lender or financial product. While we strive for accuracy, laws, regulations, and market conditions change frequently. Benchmark figures re-verified on September 28, 2026 against Experian's Q2 2026 State of the Automotive Finance Market (released August 27, 2026) and the New York Fed's Q2 2026 Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit (released August 11, 2026) -- the most recent editions published at that date. Both are quarterly, so a newer edition may exist by the time you read this.
Content reviewed by Mark at Markco Labs. Learn more about our accuracy standards.