How Do I Refinance An Auto Loan

Where Can I Refinance My Current Auto Loan

You can refinance your auto loan by visiting your local OneAZ Credit Union branch. If you do not have time to visit a branch, you can request an appointment with a banker on your computer, phone or tablet, or call the OneAZ Virtual Team at to apply. Or to apply online in five minutes or less.

In addition, you do not have to be a current member at OneAZ Credit Union to apply for a loan. to learn what it means to be a OneAZ member.

When Should You Refinance A Car Loan

Here are a few reasons to considering refinancing your auto loan:

• Your credit score has improved since you took out the loan. Even if your credit score is less than stellar, having a slightly better score than when you first took out your auto loan helps.
• You want to add or remove a cosigner. Adding a personal loan cosigner with better credit than yours can help lower your rate. Or you may be ready to remove the cosigner you needed when you first got the loan.
• You want a lower monthly payment. Whether your budget is tight or something unexpected happened , refinancing an auto loan can help get you more affordable payments.
• You realized you didnt get the best rate. If you got your loan at the dealer, chances are you are paying more interest than some of the auto refinance options out there.
• There are lower interest rates available. When shopping around for the best place to refinance an auto loan with bad credit, you may have come across much better rates than what youre currently paying. Even a small difference can make a big dent in what youll need to pay throughout the lifetime of your loan.

There are times when refinancing doesnt make sense. For example, if your car loan is upside downmeaning your vehicle is worth less than what you currently owemost lenders wont approve your refinance loan.

Look Out For Prepayment Penalties

A prepayment penalty is a fee that some lenders charge if you pay off your loan earlier than the agreed payment schedule.;

Check your loan documentation or call up your lender to find out if there is a prepayment penalty on your loan. In most cases, there won’t be. But you’ll want to make sure before moving forward.;

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Apply To A Few Auto Refinance Lenders

Once you choose a few auto lenders with whom youd want to work, have your documents on hand and head to the nearest branch if youre applying in person, or simply go to the lenders website to apply online.

It doesnt hurt your credit to apply to multiple lenders any more than it does apply to one, as long as you do all the applications within a 14-day window. Some credit-scoring methods allow for an even larger window, up to 45 days. The three credit bureaus Experian, Equifax and TransUnion provide this window specifically so consumers can rate shop without penalty.

Filling out an auto refinance application shouldnt take too long if youve prepared and have all the documentation you need, though the length of time it takes to approve your application can vary depending on the lender you choose and the documents you submit. To speed up the process, Nelson recommends having all the information the lender might ask for readily available.

If you get approved, the lender will provide you with a loan amount, interest rate and any applicable fees. Avoid going with the first offer: Make sure you compare a few offers, so you have a few options to choose from.

Refinancing A Car Loan

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Every year, you go through long-term budget arrangements and try to find new ways to save. Car refinancing has the potential to improve your monthly budget. Those who entered into a subprime auto loan and have since gotten a raise, reduced debt, or improved their credit, may be eligible for refinancing. To learn whether refinancing is the right step, its important to learn the options available to you. Armed with this information, you can make an informed decision and choose the best possible refinancing arrangement.

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Is Refinancing Your Auto Loan Worth It

Refinancing your auto loan is worth doing if it can save you money. Every car payment you make at a higher interest rate than you deserve is a waste of money. Even if you stay at the same rate but refinance to a longer term, a lower monthly car payment could help alleviate budget pressure. But be aware that if you do lengthen your loan, you may end up paying a lot more in interest in the long run. Read about the common refinance mistakes that people make so you can avoid them.

Does My Car Loan Qualify For A Refinance

Auto lenders have rules on which cars are eligible for an auto loan refinance. Most lenders wont refinance a loan for a car with more than 100,000 miles or with a salvage title.

The lender will also assess the cars value before approving a refinance request. If the value is too low, you wont qualify. The lender will calculate the cars loan-to-value ratio, which generally needs to be below 125% to qualify.

Before you apply to refinance your car loan, determine the LTV ratio. To find the cars current value, use sites like Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds and NADAguides. Take the average from all three sites to find a general estimate.

Calculating the LTV is simple. Divide the current loan balance by the cars value: the resulting percentage is the LTV. For example, lets say you have a $9,000 balance on a car worth $11,000. In this case, your LTV ratio would be 82%.

But if the current balance is $15,000 and the car is only worth $10,000, your LTV would be 150%. This is much higher than what most lenders allow, so refinancing is likely impossible.

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Capital One: Best For Convenience

Overview: Capital One will let you borrow as little as $4,000, but it requires you to purchase the car through one of its participating dealers. In a lot of ways, its financing works as a one-stop shop for your auto loan and vehicle purchase.

Perks: The Capital One Auto Navigator site lets you search for inventory in your area and gives you the ability to see how different makes, models and features will impact your monthly payment. This will give you a lot of information before you head to the dealer. Also, the quick prequalification allows you to check your rate through a soft inquiry, so your credit score wont be impacted.

What to watch out for: You can only use Capital One auto financing to shop at one of its participating dealerships, which makes this a poor option if you find a car you love elsewhere.

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Compare Auto Refinance Loans

Before applying for an auto refinance loan, you should be sure to compare quotes from multiple different providers. Some factors to take into consideration include:

• Loan amounts: Most lenders have minimum and maximum loan amount requirements, usually somewhere between $7,000 and $100,000. Make sure that the loan you want to refinance is in between these limits.
• Rates: One of the main goals of refinancing an auto loan is to lock in lower rates. Make sure to compare rates from multiple different providers to ensure youre getting the best possible deal.
• Repayment terms: Whether you want to pay off your loan faster, or need a longer term length with smaller monthly premiums, look for an auto refinance loan with repayment terms that meet your needs.
• Some lenders have minimum credit score requirements for borrowers. If your credit score isnt where you want it to be, consider holding off on applying until you raise your score.
• Car requirements: Not all lenders will issue auto refinance loans for all cars. Make sure that your car meets the requirements for any lenders that youre interested in.

Dont Forget To Read The Fine Print

When you fill out the application and accept the loan, the lender will likely ask you to read and sign several disclosure forms. Resist the urge to speed through this part of the process.

Its really about having an understanding of what costs come with a refinance, said Mohr. Different lenders are going to have different costs associated with refinancing. Are there origination fees? Are there prepayment penalties that might apply?

In taking out this loan, you are making a financial and legal commitment to the lender. You owe it to yourself to take the time to read the fine print, ask questions and make sure you understand what youre agreeing to.

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Keep Your Dream Trade In The Payment

Put money back in your pocket and your foot on the gas pedal because Pen Air Federal Credit Union is giving you the green light on refinancing your auto loan. In three easy steps, you could qualify for a lower interest rate, and lower monthly payments, on your vehicle.

Step 1. ApplyStep 2. Provide required documentsStep 3. Start Saving!

Consider The Time Remaining On Your Loan

How far along are you in your car loan repayment schedule? If you only have a year or two left, you may be better off just sticking with your original loan.;

Extending your loan repayment period can lower your monthly payments. But when you add in the extra money you’ll pay in interest charges, you may end up paying a lot more overall.;

On the other hand, refinancing into a shorter repayment term could be a really good idea. Shorter terms tend to unlock lower interest rates. Your monthly payment will probably go up with a shorter term, but if you qualify for a much better interest rate than what you have now, it may not rise as much as you’d think. And you could save a ton of money overall.

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Vehicle Make And Model

While a digital alignment will obtain readings for all four wheels, some vehicles only require a two-wheel or front-end alignment because they have a solid rear axle. You might pay $130 if your vehicle requires a four-wheel alignment, versus $90 if your vehicle only requires a front-end alignment.

You would not want to ask for a front-end alignment on a vehicle that requires a four-wheel alignment in an attempt to save money because the technician wouldnt be able to do the job correctly. Instead, you might take your car to a shop that charges the same rate for all vehicles.

High-end or exotic premium cars, particularly those with adaptive suspensions or active steering, may need more specialized procedures. Those vehicles are often best served by having the alignment done by a dealership or a make specialist. The same is true for the small number of makes and models that have offered four-wheel steering systems, such as the 1990s-era Honda Prelude, though most alignment shops will have instructions on alignment procedures for these vehicles handy.

Applying For An Auto Refinance Loan

If refinancing still seems to make sense after running your calculations, it’s time to dig into all of the details.

Question the banks that you’re considering about any fees that you’ll be expected to pay. A small fee to transfer the title and re-register the vehicle is to be expected, but some banks may also tack on a processing fee.

Also, ask if there is a pre-payment penalty built into the loan. If so, avoid itâit will penalize you for paying off your loan early.

Once you’ve compared all of your options, submit your loan application to the bank with the best deal.

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Where Can I Get An Auto Loan

You can get a car loan from a bank, credit union, or loan agency. Several finance companies provide auto loans online, also.

Before you commit to any loans, use an auto loan calculator to get an idea of how auto loans work.

Type auto loan calculator or car loan calculator in the Google search bar.

Put in a few numbers and percentages to see the estimated monthly payment of a car loan youre considering. Your results will vary depending on the company you choose.

When To Refinance Your Auto Loan

Every situation is different, and the first step to determine whether refinancing is right for you is to take a quick look at the current market and your financial position.

Consider refinancing your auto loan if:

• Interest rates have dropped since you bought your car.
• Your has improved, which could mean you qualify for a better rate.
• You financed your car through a dealership. The rates are often higher through dealer financing, so it’s good to look at other sources when you can.

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How Much Would You Like To Borrow:

Please review and adjust your amounts for down payment, trade-in and cash incentive. Their current total is equal to orexceeds the vehicle purchase price.

Reminderthe minimum borrowing amount is $7,500. Therefore the total price of the vehicle less any down payment, trade-in, and cash incentive cannot be below this amount.

Interest Rate

When Should You Refinance A Car

When to refinance depends on your circumstances and needs. Refinancing could make sense if your credit score has recently improved, if car loan rates have fallen, or if you need a lower monthly payment.;

Overall, consider refinancing when you can get a better deal on your car loan and it won’t cause you to pay more for the vehicle.

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Best Credit Union For Auto Refinance: Penfed Credit Union

PenFed Credit Union

• Minimum credit score: Not stated
• Loan terms : 36 to 84 months

PenFed Credit Union is our top choice for auto loan refinancing from a credit union. The lender features widespread availability and competitive rates.

• Offers a wide range of options

• Competitive rates

• Loan amounts from $500 to $100,000

• Online application

• Borrow up to 100% of the vehicle’s value

• High minimum loan amount for longer terms

• Excellent credit history required for lowest rates

• Membership in the credit union is required

Members of PenFed get access to very competitive refinance rates with an average monthly savings of $108 per month. There’s a convenient online application for refinances, and borrowers can finance up to 100% of their vehicle.

Apply For Anauto Refinance Loan

Once youve shopped around, collected all of your information and made a decision, youre ready to apply.

Youll need to complete a loan application for the lender you choose. This is where the documentation you gathered can come in handy, as you may have to provide it in the application. This application will count as a hard inquiry, which can lower your credit scores by a few points.

If your loan is approved and you sign the loan paperwork provided by the lender, you should get a document from your lender with all the terms of your new loan. Keep a copy for your records, as it will include details on when your payment is due, the minimum amount youll need to pay each month and your options for making loan payments.

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Shop For The Best Deal

With any type of loan, it’s important to get quotes from multiple lenders. You can start by getting quotes from online lenders like LendingClub and CarsDirect. But you may want to check with small local banks and as well.;

In general, you shouldn’t worry about multiple inquiries showing up on your credit report. In many cases, auto loan lenders can use a soft inquiry to give you a rate quote and wait to perform a hard inquiry until you actually apply for a loan.;

And even multiple hard pulls will usually be viewed as one hard credit inquiry as long as they take place within a 14-day span.

What Do You Need To Refinance Your Car

Since it isnt much different than making a car purchase, chances are you already have most of the information you need. However, before you take the leap, be certain that you are eligible to refinance. Consider whether you have defaulted on the lease or are in good standing. Be sure that your and working situation are stable and viable for refinancing. Provided you are eligible for the new loan, the next step is getting your documents together.;

Tax information is a common request, so bring your most recent filing records. Additionally, three months of pay stubs from your employer are necessary as well. Plan ahead and bring your banking details. Often, people go with a void cheque to speed up the process and eliminate the chance of errors. You will also need relevant identification. Both a government issued photo ID and a second identification are required. A drivers licence and a passport are both suitable options. Additionally, be sure to have all the necessary details for your vehicle. Registration documents work well for this purpose.;

Ensuring that you have all the essential documentation is not only important, but it is also a great way to speed up the process and develop a better rapport with the lender. Preparing ahead of time gives you a good opportunity to highlight all reasons for refinancing in an organized manner.;

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