TitleMax auto title loans review

Loans up to as little as 30 minutes — but you risk repossession if you default.

finder.com’s rating: 2.3 / 5.0

★★★★★

Bottom line: TitleMax is relatively upfront about its requirements. But it isn’t clear about the cost of its loans — important info when your car is on the line.

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$2,600

Min. Amount

$10,000

Max. Amount

as little as 30 minutes

Turnaround time

Details

Product NameTitleMax Auto Title Loans
Min. Amount$2,600
Max. Amount$10,000
Loan Term30 days
Loan SecuritySecured
Turnaround Timeas little as 30 minutes
RequirementsMust have a lien-free vehicle title, government-issued ID, and be age of majority in your state.
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Review by


Kellye Guinan is a freelance editor and writer, specializing in consumer lending. Her writing and analysis has been featured on Bankrate, MSN and MediaFeed. She holds degrees in anthropology and German language and literature from Middle Tennessee State University.

Expert review

Title loans do have their risks, but if you’re in need of quick money and have a car or motorcycle to use as collateral, TitleMax can provide you with a loan no matter your credit or financial situation. It offers a large loan amount — up to $10,000 — provided you and your vehicle qualify.

But repayment terms are short. In some cases, you may only have 30 days to repay what you borrow. Read the complete terms and conditions before signing the dotted line so you understand exactly how much it will cost you.

If you’re still not sure about going with a title loan, you can compare other title loan options.

Pros

  • Same-day funding available
  • Bad credit OK
  • Over 1,000 storefront locations
  • Motorcycle title loans available

Cons

  • Default could lead to repossession
  • Must visit a storefront
  • Not transparent about fees
  • High minimum loan amount of $2,600

TitleMax rates, fees and terms

TitleMax offers five types of loans depending on your state: Title loans, title pawns, motorcycle title loans, motorcycle title pawns and personal loans. The exact amount you can borrow also depends on your state, but in general, you may qualify for anywhere between $2,600 to $10,000. Rates will depend on your state law, income and other financial factors. Although TitleMax doesn’t disclose its rates, most short-term lenders charge APR well above 300%. Carefully read your loan contract to confirm you can repay your loan within the loan term.

What is TitleMax and is it legit?

TitleMax has been in business since 1998 — and its website uses 256-bit SSL encryption to keep your information safe when you submit a preapproval application. The information collected and stored on the TitleMax website falls under standard privacy protections. You can choose to limit sharing of your personal information by contacting a TitleMax representative.

Compare more short-term loan options

1 - 0 of 0
Name Product Filter Values Loan amount Turnaround time Requirements
Max Cash Title Loans
Up to $50,000
Same business day to 1 business days
Must be a US citizen or permanent resident, 18 or older with a regular source of income.
With a quick online application, Max Cash could help connect you with a lender, finding you options in minutes.
LoanMart Car Title Loans
$2,500 to $50,000
1 business day
Resident of an eligible state, car title in your name, proof of income, valid state ID
A LoanMart auto title loan allows you to borrow money against your car, even if you have bad credit.
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TitleMax reviews and complaints

BBB accreditedNo
BBB ratingF
BBB customer reviews1.59 out of 5 stars, based on 22 customer reviews
BBB customer complaints307
Trustpilot score3.9 out of 5, based on 422 customer reviews
Customer reviews verified as of16 October 2020
TitleMax reviews are mixed. Many customers are happy with the customer service they received at local TitleMax stores. However, some borrowers complain of unprofessional behavior when TitleMax agents called borrower’s family or work disclosing confidential loan specifics. But some borrowers have also complained that some fees for title loans are hidden into the monthly payments.
TitleMax’s parent company, TMX Finance, was also fined by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for luring customers into expensive loan renewals without giving them all the facts about the deals’ terms and costs. Look into your local store to see if it has its own reviews and seek unbiased opinions before committing to a loan.

Am I eligible?

TitleMax doesn’t list any specific eligibility criteria. Provided you own a vehicle with a lien-free title — meaning you own your car outright and aren’t paying for a loan — and meet your state’s minimum age requirements, you may qualify for a title loan through TitleMax.

What states is TitleMax available in?

Title loans and title pawns are available in 17 states.

  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Delaware
  • Georgia
  • Illinois
  • Kansas
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Nevada
  • New Mexico
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Virginia
  • Wisconsin
Online loans, including lines of credit, are only available in Arizona, Delaware, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin.

What information do I need to apply?

When you visit a TitleMax store, you will need to bring a vehicle with a lien-free title in your name. Depending on your state, you may also need to present a government-issued photo ID, proof of income and proof of current residence.

How do I apply?

Visit TitleMax’s website to fill out a brief application. You’ll need to select if your car or motorcycle is paid off, enter your name, ZIP code and cell phone number. On the last page, TitleMax will ask you about your vehicle — its year, make, model and vehicle series. Hit Calculate to see how much you may be able to borrow.
When you visit a TitleMax store, your vehicle will be inspected while you complete a full application. If you’re approved, you’ll receive a contract stating the loan amount based on your vehicle’s appraised value. You can choose to sign the loan contract and receive your funds or take your business elsewhere if the loan you’re offered doesn’t suit your needs.

What are my repayment options?

You’ll have to start paying back your loan in about 30 days. At this point, you’ll either need to repay the full amount you borrowed or refinance your loan. You can pay by cash, certified check or money order. If you live in Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee or Virginia, you can also pay by Western Union Quick Collect.
TitleMax is a legit title lender — but that doesn’t mean it isn’t without risks. Before you use your vehicle title as collateral, other short-term loan options first.

Frequently asked questions

Short-term loan ratings

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We analyze short-term loan providers and similar services to help you weed out predatory lenders and find a company you can trust. We rate providers on a scale of one to five stars. Our ratings are based on factors that are most important to you, which include: loan amount, application process, fees, customer reviews and borrower experience.
Read the full methodology of how we rate short-term loan providers and similar services.

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