Best Auto Refinance Companies

After researching the top auto loan providers, we’ve discovered the companies that are best for those who’d like to refinance an auto loan. In this article, we’ll also go over if you can refinance your current auto loan, whether you should and should not pursue refinancing a car, and how to go about vehicle refinancing. We’ve also created a guide to auto loans to help you with any of your vehicle financing needs.

• The lowest auto refinance rates are offered by MyAutoloan at 1.24% but rates may vary depending on a variety of factors.
• The best company for refinancing an auto loan is Auto Approve which is followed by MyAutoloan and PenFed Credit Union.
• Even if you have bad credit, you can get refinancing for a car and there are many different types of lenders able to assist you.
• Whether you should pursue refinancing a vehicle loan depends on current interest rates, the vehicle you are financing, and your unique financial situation.

Through our research, we have come up with the top places for getting a refinance car loan. If you’re looking to refinance a car loan, each of these providers is known for quality customer service and highly competitive rates. Below, we’ll highlight key information relating to each company and the lowest auto loan rates they offer:

In the sections below we will detail the companies with the best auto refinance loans on the market.

#1 Auto Approve: Best For Refinancing

Starting APR: 2.25%
Loan amounts: $7,500 to $150,000
Term lengths: 12 to 84 months
Application fee: None

Auto Approve specializes in refinancing auto loans, and its annual percentage rates (APRs) are typically quite low. Between its relatively low-interest rates and strong customer service, Auto Approve earned the title of Best For Refinancing from our review team. 

While many reputable refinancing providers only lend to borrowers with strong credit, Auto Approve considers those with low credit scores as well as they do not require a minimum credit score for approval. So, if you have a fair or bad credit score myAutoloan can help you get approved and find a loan without too many restrictions.

Auto Approve Reviews

The company’s customer satisfaction is high, as seen by its average rating of 4.7 stars out of 5.0 from more than 5,000 Trustpilot reviews. Auto approve also has an A+ rating from the BBB and is an accredited organization. Customer reviews on the Better business bureau website are also overwhelmingly positive with a score of 4.38 out of 5.0 stars based on 470 reviews. Many customers spoke about their loan department’s great service reps and how they were able to get much lower rates due to the company’s help.

Pros and Cons of Auto Approve

#2 myAutoloan: Best Auto Loan Marketplace

Starting APR: 1.24%
Loan amounts: $8,000–$100,000 purchase, $5,000 minimum for refinancing
Term lengths: 24 to 84 months
Application fee: None

Rather than a lender, myAutoloan is an online marketplace that connects borrowers with lenders. While borrowers don’t get refinance car loans directly from myAutoloan, the company works with providers that offer competitive rates.

Applicants must have at least a 575 credit score to qualify for auto refinancing with lenders on myAutoloan’s marketplace. However, only those with excellent credit are likely to be eligible for the best refinancing rates.

myAutoloan Reviews

The lender has a 1.0 out of 5.0-star rating from customers on the Better Business Bureau website, but this is only based on four total reviews. However, on Trustpilot, the company has a 4.0-star rating out of 5.0 stars from borrowers and the vast majority of the reviews are positive. Many of the customers talk about how easy the process was to get a loan and how secure they felt using their services.

Pros and Cons of myAutoloan

#3 PenFed Credit Union: Best Credit Union

Starting APR: 1.79%
Loan amounts: $500 – $50,000
Term lengths: 12 to 60 months
Application fee: None

Vehicle owners hoping to refinance a car loan should look for providers that are credible, offer some of the lowest rates around, and get plenty of great customer reviews. Pentagon Federal Credit Union, commonly known as PenFed, suits all of those needs, making it an excellent choice for auto refinancing.

Those with low creditworthiness are likely to have auto refinancing denied by PenFed Credit Union, though, as it requires a minimum credit score of 610. The organization’s membership is largely made up of military members and veterans, but anyone can join by opening a savings account with $5.

PenFed Credit Union Reviews

Reviews on both Trustpilot are almost only positive with 90% of the reviews being over 4 stars and speak of exceptional customer service and loan product offerings. The company also has a BBB rating of an A+, but they are not accredited. Their fast approval and affordable rates stand out as one of the most common things mentioned about their lending services.

Pros and Cons of PenFed Credit Union

The rates for refinancing a car loan are very similar to financing a car through a regular purchase loan and vary based on a variety of factors, the prime among them being your credit score. Credit scores are broken down into five distinct categories called credit bands which put scores in specific ranges. As you move up the credit score categories your rates will get lower, and those with excellent credit get the best auto refinance rates.

Average Auto Loan Refinance Rates

The table below showcases average auto loan rates by credit score according to Experian’s Q3 State of The Automotive Finance Market Report:

As you can see, credit score drastically affects the rates your receive. Those with the highest credit scores tend to get the best auto loan rates, so if you are considering refinancing your car loan we suggest waiting until your credit score is higher. This will show lenders that you are a low-risk borrower which in turn will give you lower rates than your current loan.

Refinancing a car loan means you’re taking out a new loan to cover what’s left on your existing one. It’s typically used by borrowers who want to get a lower interest rate and monthly payments than their current loan. The auto refinancing process can be done with your original lender, but often times it is done with another provider.

When Can I Refinance a Car Loan?

You can refinance a car loan as soon as your auto loan deal closes. However, there may be restrictions due to credit score, income, or terms in your contract that may put limits on when you can refinance. In addition, most lenders won’t even consider refinancing your vehicle until the car’s title is transferred to your current loan provider, which takes around 60-90 days to process.

Can I Refinance a Car Loan With Bad Credit?

Yes, you can refinance a car loan with bad credit, but it is more difficult to get approved and find low interest rates. Some lenders have minimum credit score requirements that can be as low as 500 and some may not have minimums at all. Also, If you have bad credit but a high income you may find some subprime lenders that can help you refinance. However, we do recommend improving your credit score so you are able to get more vehicle loan offers and better interest rates.

Refinancing a loan on your car can be done with your current lender or another provider including banks, credit unions, online lenders, and dealerships. Below is a breakdown of each of your options when considering auto refinancing:

• Traditional Banks: Most regular commercial banks offer a variety of services for auto loan refinancing and usually have the most options compared to other providers. Since these lenders are more established, many of them have easy-to-manage online services.
• Credit Unions: These types of loan providers are like banks, but instead are member-owned and are considered non-profit. Credit unions tend to have some of the best refinancing rates on the market, but you need to be a member and they have stricter requirements than other choices.
• Online Lenders: Some financial service providers are completely online and are done through third parties. Usually, the draw to these loan-related services stems from fewer fees being charged and comparison tools that make finding low rates easier.
• Dealerships: While usually used and new car purchase loans are done here, it is still possible to refinance a vehicle at a dealer. It may be possible to use a dealership’s lending network to find a suitable refinance loan provider for your needs.

Whether you should refinance a car loan depends on a variety of factors including your credit score, how far you are into your current loan, your vehicle’s value, and market interest rates. Refinancing an auto loan can be an excellent way to free up access to money through a reduced APR and a lower monthly payment. However, even if they secure lower rates, they may end up paying more overall if they choose longer terms. That’s because extending a loan term means the borrower will pay more in interest over the life of the loan. 

Source: Capital One

Many drivers keep more money in their savings accounts when they refinance a car loan, but using an auto loan calculator can help you determine if it’s right for you. We’ll explain when refinancing may be a solid option and when it may be better to keep your current car loan.

When Should I Refinance My Car Loan?

Below are situations when refinancing an existing loan could be beneficial:

When Your Credit Score Has Improved

If you’ve seen a boost to your credit score, you may be approved for a lower interest rate. Auto lenders are more willing to offer competitive rates to those with high credit scores, as they prefer lower-risk borrowers over those looking for bad-credit car loans.

When Your Car Is Worth More Than The Loan

You’ll likely be able to reduce your interest rate when you refinance a car loan on a vehicle that’s worth more than you owe on it. That’s because lenders strongly consider loan-to-value (LTV) ratio when assessing the potential risk of each applicant.

When Interest Rates Have Decreased

If interest rates are significantly lower now than when you took out your car loan, there’s a good chance you could get a better rate by refinancing. Prequalifying with lenders can help you find out whether you’re eligible for lower interest rates than what your dealership or financial institution initially offered.

When Should I Not Refinance My Car Loan?

Below are a few cases where you should not refinance your current auto loan:

You Owe More Than Your Car Is Worth

It’s extremely unlikely that you’ll get approved for a lower APR if your vehicle is worth less than your existing auto loan, a position known as being “upside-down.” If you apply to refinance a car loan that’s upside-down, you could receive a ding to your credit only to learn your interest rate won’t drop.

Your Auto Loan Has A Steep Prepayment Penalty

When you refinance a car loan, your old lender misses out on interest it otherwise would have gained in future months. To combat these losses, some lenders add prepayment penalties to loan contracts. If the prepayment penalties mentioned in your current contract’s disclosures are high, you may lose money even if refinancing gets you a lower interest rate.

Your Car Loan Is Almost Paid Off

Auto lenders commonly front-load interest, so most of your payment typically goes toward principal around the end of your contract. If you refinance a vehicle loan after making a sizable down payment or nearly paying the balance off, you’ll probably see your credit score dip in return for an interest rate similar to what you’re already paying.

There are four  best steps you should take when you are looking to refinance a car loan:

#1 Collect Important Documents And Information

When looking to refinance a car loan, you’ll need to provide personal and financial information such as your rent or mortgage payments, Social Security number, proof of income, and proof of car insurance.

You’ll also need your vehicle identification number (VIN), as it gives potential lenders details about your car. Look for records of your current auto loan since you’ll need to know your monthly loan payments, the balance of the loan, and the loan term.

#2 Apply To Refinance Your Car Loan

Keep in mind that if you have multiple hard credit checks within 30 days as you shop for a new auto loan, FICO will count them as a single inquiry. That means rate shopping won’t impact your credit report more than once. Financial institutions such as banks, credit unions, and online lenders provide auto refinancing, and many have online loan applications.

#3 Compare Loan Offers

Once you receive options to refinance your auto loan, consider the terms that have been offered. Depending on the lender and your situation, you may be offered a different repayment period, a lower APR, or both. Compare refinancing options before choosing a lender, as some will suit your needs better than others.

#4 Finalize Loan Details

You’ll need to pay any penalties or fees associated with your old loan if you decide to refinance for a new auto loan. It’s also important that you sign all documents regarding the new car loan. Once the auto refinance process is complete, stay on top of payments to continually improve your credit score throughout the term of the loan.

We’ve highlighted some of the best car refinancing lenders with affordable rates and great benefits. Regardless of your situation, you can refinance your vehicle and there are many great options for you to get refinancing for an auto loan. While it can be a great way to get better rates and terms, there are some situations where it is best to stay away. If you decide it is a good option, we recommend that you shop around and compare rates to find the best lender for you.

Best Auto Refinance Companies: FAQ

Below are some frequently asked questions related to the best auto refinance companies:

How We Rate Loan Providers

Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of auto loan providers. While there are multiple qualities that make a loan company successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:

• Rates: Auto loan companies with high loan amounts and low APRs are more likely to meet customer needs.
• Reputation: Our review team explored ratings from experts and each lender’s number of years in business when giving this score.
• Availability: Companies that cover a variety of circumstances scored best in this category.
• Customer Experience: This rating is based on transparency and consumer satisfaction ratings. We also took into account the helpfulness of each loan provider’s team based on our shopper analysis.

*Data accurate at time of publication.