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Get preapproved for a car loan
Up your bargaining power before heading to the dealership.
Walking into a dealership with a preapproved loan allows you to lock in rates and terms on a loan before shopping for a car. However, it can limit how much you’re able to spend on your new car.
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- Min. Credit Score Required: 300
- Requirements: Must be a US citizen with a current US address and employed full-time or have guaranteed fixed income.
6 providers that offer preapproval on car loans
| Lender | How long preapproval lasts | APR | Terms | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| myAutoloan.com | Varies by lender | 2.49% | 2 years to 7 years | Must have a Social Security number; make $24,000+/year; have no open bankruptcies. | |
| LendingTree | Varies by lender | 3.09% | 1 year to 7 years | 18+ years old, good to excellent credit, US citizen | |
| Navy Federal Credit Union | 60 days | 6.05% | 15 years | Credit union member, US citizen or permanent resident, have age of majority. | Read review |
| Bank of America | 30 days | 3.54% | 1 year to 6.25 years | Ages 18+, US citizen or permanent resident, buying eligible vehicle | Read review |
| Capital One | 30 days | 3.24% | 3 years to 6 years | Valid street address, existing Capital One account in good standing, buying 2009 model or newer with less than 120,000 miles | Read review |
| USAA | 45 days | 5.75% | 15 years to 4 years | USAA member, US citizen or permanent resident, ages 18+ | Read review |
| CarFinance.com | 30 days | 4.99% | 6 years | Age 18 years or older, credit score 500+, to refinance loan car must have less than 100,000 miles, no more than eight years old and loan balance must be $7,500+ | Read review |
How preapproval works on car loans
With car loans, preapproval works by allowing you to lock in the rates and terms on a car loan before heading to the dealership. It draws out period between getting approved for a car loan and signing the loan documents.
Unlike preapproval on other types of loans, auto loan preapproval typically requires a full application, documents and a hard credit check.
4 tips to help get preapproved for a car loan
Consider these four tips before you submit a preapproval application:
- Create a budget. Before you begin, calculate your potential monthly payments and learn how much you can afford. This can help guide you toward lenders that offer preapproval options you may qualify for.
- Check your financial standing. Car loans are an expensive commitment. Be sure that a loan is something you can realistically fit in your budget and understand your credit score before you apply for preapproval.
- Research your car. Having a car already in mind when you apply for preapproval can help — it gives the lender something to go by when determining whether or not to offer you a loan.
- Shop around. Not every lender offers the same car loan. Seek preapproval from multiple lenders to increase your chance of qualifying for a loan.
What are the advantages of preapproval for car loans?
- Increased confidence. The lender assessed your finances and gave you the green light to purchase a vehicle, so you don’t have to stress about securing financing.
- Bargaining power. Knowing how much you can spend gives you the upper hand when negotiating a price at the car dealership.
- Fixed interest. A fixed interest rate can help you maintain a budget without having to worry about fluctuations in the market raising your interest rate.
- Increases loan options. Because you’ll already have a loan, you won’t be stuck with whatever financing package you’re offered. Preapproval can protect against dealership markups.
- Avoid upsales. Preapproval gives you a specific amount you have to spend. When the salesperson tries to upsell you with GAP insurance or an extended warranty, you’ll know if you can afford it.
5 reasons to get preapproved before hitting the dealership
Why might I want to hold off?
- Short approval time. Auto loan preapproval is often only available for between 30 and 60 days. If you’re not ready to finance a car within the month, you should wait to apply for preapproval.
- Limited budget. Because you’ve been preapproved for a set amount, your car options may be limited. This can be beneficial if you don’t want to overspend, but it might restrict which models you can get.
- Smaller market. Not all lenders offer preapproval, and some might still require a hard credit check — even before you’ve accepted the loan.
Should I get preapproved for a car loan?
It depends on your situation. You might want to get preapproved for one of the following reasons:
- You’re new to lending. Getting preapproved can give you an idea of what type of loan you can actually get without the commitment.
- You want to negotiate. Going to a lender with a preapproved rate in hand is key to making a solid case for yourself.
- You aren’t set on a dealership. Having a preapproved car loan effectively makes you a cash buyer. If you don’t like one dealer is offering, you can move on to the next.
Preapproval vs. prequalifying
When it comes to car loans, preapproval is technically not the same as prequalifying — though some lenders might use the two term to refer to the same process.
Preapproval involves a hard credit check that temporarily lowers your credit score and gives you more power at the dealership.
Prequalifying involves a soft credit pull. It’s helpful when comparing lenders, but it won’t give you leverage for negotiating a price.
- Tip: If a lender advertises “locked in rates,” it’s talking about preapproval, not prequalifying.
How to get preapproved for a car loan in 5 steps
You can apply for an auto loan online, in person or over the phone, depending on your lender.
- Get a copy of your credit score.
- Ensure you have all your personal documents and income information.
- Compare a range of loans that you can apply for.
- Fill out one or more preapproval applications with multiple lenders.
- Shop around for your next car.
What happens after I get preapproved?
After you get preapproved for a car loan, most lenders allow you to shop around for around 30 days to find the right car. Some might offer preapproval for as long as 60 days.
Once preapproved, lenders typically give you a check that you can use to buy a car at a dealership or with a private party. You aren’t obligated to sign off on the loan if you decide to go with another lender or not make the purchase at all.
Compare more car loan options
Updated February 21st, 2020
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Bottom line
Getting preapproved for a car loan can be helpful for buyers who want to negotiate with a dealer or are willing to shop around for a car. But since not all lenders offer preapproval on their car loans, it could limit your options. Check out our guide to car loans to ensure you’re making the right moves when buying your next car.
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