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.
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.
Where to Get a Personal Loan to Buy a Car?
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
Most people think “auto loan” when they go out to buy a car, but it is possible to take out a personal loan to pay for a vehicle. The difference is that personal loans don’t come with specific spending requirements. You can use the funds for anything you like, including a car or a down payment on a car. You could also use the funds to buy accessories for your new car.
With an auto loan, on the other hand, the only thing the borrower can spend the money on is the car. The transaction is typically conducted between the auto dealer and the lender, so the borrower doesn’t see any of the cash. The borrower simply gets the bill every month.
Any extras that come with new car ownership, such as insurance, registration, etc. will need to be paid through other means.
Learn more: Personal Loan Vs Auto Loan
When it makes sense to buy a car using a personal loan?
Personal loans are most common in the context of buying used cars. The amount necessary to buy a used car is typically lower than that of a new car, and being able to negotiate as a cash buyer can help lower the price even further. Personal loans can also be used to cover the down payment on a new car, with the remainder paid with an auto loan. However, this can cause issues for the borrower if they don’t have adequate credit. For instance, taking out the personal loan first might block approval on the auto loan.
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
There are several reasons not to use a personal loan to purchase a car. First, it’s usually more expensive to pay off a personal loan because they usually come with higher-than-market interest rates and a laundry list of administrative fees. Personal loan applications are also more difficult to get approved, and you may be limited by the amount that the lender will allow you to borrow. As mentioned, the amount you’re ultimately permitted to borrow may not cover the total cost of the car.
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 credit | High interest rates |
| Get funds for vehicle purchase | Fees |
| Online lenders and credit unions may offer a variety of options | Damage to credit score if payments aren’t made on time |
| Can 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- Loan amounts. Minimums and maximums vary by lender, so be sure to find one that offers the loan amount you need.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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Factors to consider when taking a personal loan for car purchases
The appeal of being able to spend your loan funds on anything you like might be reduced when you review the interest rates and fees on personal loans. Auto loans are cheaper and easier to get approved because auto dealers have more leverage with lenders. Even applicants with low credit scores can get approved for an auto loan. We’ll cover more on that below.
Another factor to keep in mind is the amount you’ll need to buy a car. Personal loans are typically unsecured, meaning the lender is taking on most of the risk. Asking for a personal loan of $45,000+ without posting security or collateral may not be realistic.
How do I apply for a personal car loan?
The steps to apply for a personal car loan include:
- 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.
- 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.
- Get prequalified. It won’t affect your credit score, but it can help you compare lenders more accurately.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.