According to Money.com, the average price of a new car in America topped $49,000 at the end of 2022. That’s a record high for new car prices. Even used cars can run nearly as high, depending on the make and model. Most consumers don’t have that much money in their respective savings accounts, so they need to explore options for financing. In fact, auto loan debt is the third-largest debt category behind mortgages and student loans. But an auto loan isn’t the only way to finance a car.
Here, we’ll discuss when and why you might want to use a personal loan to purchase a vehicle.
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How do personal loans to buy a car work?
Personal loans can be used for just about any reason, including buying a new or used car. After you research and compare lenders to find the best personal loan for you, you’ll apply for the loan. This can typically be done online, meaning a personal loan for car purchase can be quite simple.
Once you’re approved for the loan and accept the loan agreement, the lender will deposit the funds in a lump sum into your bank account. You can then use those funds as you would use cash to purchase a vehicle.
Once you’ve received the loan funds, you must start making the monthly payments right away to avoid fees, penalties, or damage to your credit score.
Credit score required to buy a car with a personal loan
When considering a personal loan for auto purchase needs, one of the first things you’ll need to consider is the credit score required. To be offered the best rate for a personal loan, especially considering the fact that APRs can vary from 6% to 36% on average, it is recommended that a person have a credit score of at least 680.
Where to get a personal loan for auto purchase?
Personal loans to buy a car are offered by most banks, credit unions, and online lenders. However, some lenders have restrictions on what personal loan funds can be used for, so you’ll want to make sure you’re able to use them to purchase a car.
| Banks |
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| Credit Unions |
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| Online Lenders |
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Personal loans vs. auto loans
| Personal Loans | Auto Loans | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose of the loan | Any purpose except for those expressively prohibited | Only for a vehicle purchase |
| Loan APR | 6% to 36% on average | Typically in the single-digits |
| Credit score required | >680 on average | No minimum but higher interest will apply |
| Collateral required | Typically none | The vehicle is collateral |
| Down payment amount | None | Optional |
Learn more: Personal Loan Vs Auto Loan
When does it make sense to buy a car using a personal loan?
- When a down payment is required on the auto purchase.
- Your credit is too poor for an auto loan.
- You qualify for lower rates with personal loans.
- The auto loan you qualify for is not traditional.
Pros and cons of using personal loans to buy a car
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 Freedom to spend on what you like |  Borrowing limit might be too low |
| Multiple lenders to choose from | Higher interest rates |
| Buyer can negotiate with cash | Effect on credit score and credit mix |
With a personal loan, you aren’t restricted by spending guidelines. That means that you can negotiate with the seller as a cash buyer, which could bring down the price of the car. There are also more personal loan lenders than auto loan lenders, so the personal loan route tends to offer more choices and more flexibility.
On the downside, the limit you can borrow on an unsecured personal loan might not be enough to cover the cost of a new car. Even if it does, the interest rate will be higher than what you’ll get with an auto loan. For instance, if you have good credit, you may be able to secure an auto loan at an interest rate between 3% and 5%. With the same credit, a personal loan may cost between 7% and 10%. This will raise your monthly payment and increase the total interest paid over the life of the loan.
Additionally, you may not be adding to your credit mix with a personal loan, which is a factor used in calculating your credit score. Lenders like to see variety in that category, i.e., personal loans, credit cards, and auto loans.
Reasons why you shouldn’t use a personal loan to buy a car
- If paying off the personal loan will be more expensive than the auto loan.
- Personal loan applications tend to be more difficult to get approved.
- The amount of a personal loan you are approved for may not cover the cost of the car.
- Personal loans can come with hidden fees that are not apparent when agreeing to the loan.
Car loans for bad credit
Some car dealers guarantee approval regardless of credit score. Be careful with these lenders because they may not be offering traditional auto loans. Dealers that do “buy here, pay here” arrangements are basically their own lenders. You’ll pay a high interest rate on those deals, potentially between 15% and 20%, much more than on either a traditional auto loan or a personal loan.
Legitimate lenders will finance a car buyer with bad credit because the car acts as security for repayment of the loan. If you don’t make your payments, the lender will repossess the car.
Pros and cons of car loans for bad credit
Pros Cons Can help build creditHigh interest ratesGet funds for vehicle purchaseFeesOnline lenders and credit unions may offer a variety of optionsDamage to credit score if payments aren’t made on timeCan lose vehicle if payments aren’t made
How do I qualify for a personal loan to buy a car?
Personal loan requirements vary by lender, but there are a few common factors that are taken into consideration:
| Credit score and credit history | Most lenders require you to have a credit score of at least 670 to qualify for a loan, and the higher your score, the better your chances of being approved and getting a lower interest rate. However, you may find lenders that will accept credit scores of 600 and above, or even as low as 580.
They will also look at your payment history, outstanding debt, and length of your credit history. |
| Income | Income requirements will vary by lender, but it’s important to meet the minimum income requirement to ensure you have a way to repay the loan. In some cases this can be as low as $20,000, or as high as $50,000 or more depending on the lender. You may be asked to provide proof of income, such as tax returns, monthly bank statements, or pay stubs. |
| Debt-to-income ratio (DTI) | This is a percentage that represents the portion of your gross monthly income that goes toward paying off your debt. Most lenders prefer a DTI less than 36%, though some lenders will accept a DTI up to 50%. |
| Collateral or cosigner | If applying for a secured personal loan, you’ll be asked to provide assets as collateral. If you’re using the personal loan funds to purchase a vehicle, it will likely be the collateral. If you default on the loan, the lender will seize your vehicle.
Or, if you plan on having a cosigner to help improve your chances of getting approved, make sure you have all of their information and their credit score, history, and income qualifies them as a cosigner. |
How to compare personal loan lenders to buy a car?
As you shop around and compare personal loan lenders, you’ll want to pay attention to a few details and factors to get the best comparisons. These include:
1. Minimum requirements. Most lenders have minimum credit score, income, debt-to-income (“DTI”), and other requirements. Make sure you meet those requirements or you may not qualify for the loan.
2. Fees. Most lenders charge fees like origination fees, late payment fees, and prepayment penalties, among others. Be sure to compare these fees and make sure you’re comfortable with them before agreeing to take out any loan.
3. Loan amounts. Minimums and maximums vary by lender, so be sure to find one that offers the loan amount you need.
4. Loan terms. Terms also vary by lender and typically range from 12 to 84 months. The longer the term, the lower your monthly payment but the more you’ll owe in interest. Decide which loan term fits your budget best.
5. Interest rates. The higher your credit score, the lower the interest rate you’ll qualify for. Compare interest rates across providers and choose the lender that offers you the lowest rate.
6. Customer service. Customer service is important if you have questions or issues repaying your loan. Compare ratings and reviews to find a lender you’re comfortable with.
7. Loan purpose. Some lenders have limitations on what a personal loan can be used for. Make sure you can use the loan funds to purchase a vehicle if that is your intent.
Factors to consider when taking a personal loan for car purchases
Before fully deciding to submit an application for a personal loan to be used for an auto purchase, consider the following key points:
1. Approvals: Applicants with low credit scores can still get approved for auto loans as well
2. Collateral: Personal loans may tend to be unsecured, but that doesn’t mean not providing collateral is a smart choice
3. Cost: Auto loans are typically cheaper and easier to be approved for due to the existence of collateral
How do I apply for a personal car loan?
The steps to apply for a personal car loan include:
1. Check your credit score and history. If necessary, take steps to improve your score to ensure you get the lowest interest rate and best term possible.
2. Compare lenders. Do your research to find the best lender with a competitive interest rate, your desired loan amount and term, and great customer service.
3. Get prequalified. It won’t affect your credit score, but it can help you compare lenders more accurately.
4. Apply. Most loan applications can be completed online in just a few steps. Supply all of the requested information and provide proof of income, identity, employment, and any other required documents. This can help speed along your approval process.
5. Accept the loan and get the funds. Once approved, you’ll accept the loan agreement, and the funds will be deposited into your bank account.
6. Repay the loan. You’ll start making the monthly loan payments to repay the loan right away, so be sure to budget appropriately so that you don’t miss a payment.
FAQs
When you first apply for a loan, it triggers a hard credit inquiry, which will lower your score by a few points for a short period of time. The hard inquiry will remain on your credit report for two years but your score should rebound within a few months. Additionally, your score can be negatively affected if you make payments late or miss payments altogether. However, if you make your payments on time and pay down your loan, your score will likely improve over time.
This depends on a few factors like the type of car you want to buy (because some lenders have restrictions on vehicles they will finance) and whether you want to be a cash buyer (because a personal loan is used as cash). However, personal loans usually have higher interest rates depending on your credit score and the lender, and they typically aren’t available at dealerships, if that’s where you’re buying the vehicle. Both personal loans and auto loans have pros and cons, so compare your options carefully to find the best one for you.
A private party auto loan is distinctly different than a standard loan in that a private party loan is a specialty loan provided by a lender to be used to purchase a car from a private seller. For example, a standard auto loan may have the condition that it be used at an auto dealership, whereas a private party loan can be used to purchase a used vehicle from another person.
Yes, unless an auto purchase is specifically not allowed under the terms of the personal loan you are taking out, it should be perfectly fine to use it to buy a used car.