What is a good APR for refinancing a car?
A 72-month loan for a car is a long-term loan, and long-term loans typically come with higher interest. While long-term loans translate to lower monthly payments, they result in more interest paid over the life of the loan. With that said, an interest rate of around 5% for a 72-month auto loan is considered ideal.
What is a good APR for a car loan with my credit score and desired vehicle? If you have excellent credit (750 or higher), the average auto loan rates are 5.07% for a new car and 5.32% for a used car. If you have good credit (700-749), the average auto loan rates are 6.02% for a new car and 6.27% for a used car.
What is a good interest rate for a 72-month car loan? An interest rate under 5% is a great rate for a 72-month auto loan. However, the best loan offers are only available to borrowers who have the best credit scores and payment histories.
A 15% APR is good for credit cards and personal loans, as it's cheaper than average. On the other hand, a 15% APR is not good for mortgages, student loans, or auto loans, as it's far higher than what most borrowers should expect to pay. A 15% APR is good for a credit card. The average APR on a credit card is 22.9%.
Factors that increase your APR may include federal rate increases or a drop in your credit score. By identifying changes to your APR and understanding the actions that led to your increased rate, you can take steps that may help reduce your interest charges in the future.
30 year fixed refinance | 7.17% |
---|---|
15 year fixed refinance | 6.44% |
10 year fixed refinance | 6.27% |
5/1 ARM refinance | 6.06% |
According to Experian's State of the Automotive Finance Market report, the average auto loan interest rate for new cars in 2023's third quarter was 7.03 percent â 11.35 percent for used cars. Generally, the lower your score, the higher your annual percentage rate (APR) will be.
A 10% APR is good for credit cards and personal loans, as it's cheaper than average. On the other hand, a 10% APR is not good for mortgages, student loans, or auto loans, as it's far higher than what most borrowers should expect to pay.
Credit Score | New Car Loan | Refinance Car Loan |
---|---|---|
750 or higher | 12.87% | 7.72% |
700-749 | 14.09% | 8.49% |
600-699 | 17.16% | 10.09% |
451-599 | 22.18% | 13.46% |
Because of the high interest rates and risk of going upside down, most experts agree that a 72-month loan isn't an ideal choice. Experts recommend that borrowers take out a shorter loan. And for an optimal interest rate, a loan term fewer than 60 months is a better way to go. You can learn more about car loans here.
Should you refinance your car?
Refinancing can be a good choice if you're looking for lower monthly payments that fit better within your budget. Just be aware that in some cases lower monthly payments could lead to a higher overall cost.
Auto Loan Lender | Lowest APR | Term Length |
---|---|---|
PenFed Credit Union | 5.24% | 36 to 84 months |
Auto Approve | 5.24% | 12 to 84 months |
Consumers Credit Union | 5.94% | Up to 84 months |
Auto Credit Express | Varies | Varies |

If you can get a rate under 6% for a used car, this is likely to be considered a good APR.
- Be aware of your credit score. Be aware of what your credit score is and if there are any points that need to be corrected before you apply for a car loan.
- Clean up your score. ...
- Consider Refinance Loans. ...
- Enlist a cosigner. ...
- Consider in-house financing.
Credit Score Range | New Car Loan Rates | Used Car Loan Rates |
---|---|---|
781 to 850 | 5.07% | 7.09% |
661 to 780 | 6.44% | 9.06% |
601 to 660 | 8.99% | 13.49% |
501 to 600 | 11.72% | 18.49% |
Credit score | Average APR, new car | Average APR, used car |
---|---|---|
Prime: 661-780. | 6.88%. | 9.33%. |
Nonprime: 601-660. | 9.29%. | 13.53%. |
Subprime: 501-600. | 11.86%. | 18.39%. |
Deep subprime: 300-500. | 14.17%. | 21.18%. |
Credit Score | Average APR |
---|---|
Subprime (Credit score of 580 to 619) | 20.5% |
Near Prime (Credit score of 620 to 659) | 19% |
Prime (Credit score of 660 to 719) | 16.5% |
Super Prime (Credit score of 720+) | 13.5% |
Credit Rating | Score Range | Good Credit Card APRs |
---|---|---|
Good | 700â749 | 19% |
Fair/Limited | 640â699 | 21% |
Bad | 300-639 | 18% |
As of May 2023, the average APR charged for credit card accounts that incurred interest was 22.16%, according to the Federal Reserve. For all accounts, the average was 20.68%. If your APR is below the average, you can probably consider it good.
A good APR on a personal loan is typically one below 11 percent. But to qualify for it, you'll need a credit score above 670 and a stable source of income or a creditworthy co-signer that meets these requirements. Securing a low APR can save you thousands of dollars over the life of a loan, as shown in the table below.
What is the ideal APR rate?
So, what is a good APR for a credit card? Few of the most popular credit cards offer an interest rate below 16%. More commonly, you'll pay around 20% in interest, even if you've got an excellent credit score and especially if you're applying for any of the best rewards credit cards.
- Review your existing auto loan. Find the contract for your current auto loan and gather the following information: ...
- Determine the value of your car. ...
- Evaluate your credit. ...
- Gather information for your application. ...
- Compare lenders and rates.
You can borrow as much as $40,000 - $100,000+ with a 650 credit score. The exact amount of money you will get depends on other factors besides your credit score, such as your income, your employment status, the type of loan you get, and even the lender.
The average car payment for a new vehicle is $726 monthly, according to third-quarter 2023 data from Experian â up 3.6% year over year.
By comparing offers, you can ensure that you get the best possible rate for your credit score. Now, let's talk about APR. APR stands for âannual percentage rateâ and is another way of expressing the interest rate on loan. The average APR for a car loan with a 750 credit score is around 4.5%.
References
- https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/car-loans/refinance-auto-loan/
- https://www.caranddriver.com/auto-loans/a42690867/does-refinancing-car-hurt-credit/
- https://www.lusofederal.com/resources/education-news/?news_cat=news&news_article=why-refinance-your-mortgage-at-a-credit-union-instead-of-a-bank
- https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/car-loans/72-month-auto-loan-rates/
- https://time.com/personal-finance/article/what-is-a-good-apr-for-a-credit-card/
- https://wallethub.com/answers/pl/how-much-can-i-borrow-with-a-650-credit-score-1000508-2140806921/
- https://www.ally.com/stories/home/mistakes-to-avoid-when-refinancing-your-home/
- https://www.bankrate.com/loans/auto-loans/how-refinancing-an-auto-loan-affects-credit/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/credit-cards/what-is-a-good-apr-for-a-credit-card
- https://www.bankrate.com/loans/auto-loans/average-car-loan-interest-rates-by-credit-score/
- https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/5000-personal-loan/
- https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/car-loans/car-payoff-calculator/
- https://www.bankrate.com/loans/personal-loans/what-is-the-apr-on-a-personal-loan/
- https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/cash-out-refinance
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/loans/auto-loans/average-car-loan-interest-rates-by-credit-score
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/how-many-times-can-you-refinance-car/
- https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/refinance-rates/
- https://www.sccu.com/articles/auto/60-month-vs-72-month-auto-loan-comparison
- https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/how-many-times-can-you-refinance/
- https://moreirateam.com/blog/down-payment-to-refinance-mortgage/
- https://www.thebalancemoney.com/when-home-mortgage-refinancing-is-not-a-good-idea-315679
- https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/car-loans/best-auto-refinance-rates/
- https://www.creditkarma.com/auto/i/refinance-car-loan-bad-credit
- https://www.usnews.com/banking/articles/credit-union-vs-a-bank
- https://www.lendingtree.com/auto/refinance/
- https://www.caranddriver.com/auto-loans/a44075872/does-refinancing-start-loan-over/
- https://www.credit.com/blog/credit-union-vs-bank-mortgage-60339/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/loans/auto-loans/does-refinancing-start-your-auto-loan-over
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/loans/auto-loans/refinancing-a-car-what-are-the-pros-and-cons
- https://www.rategenius.com/refinance-car-loan-without-job
- https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/car-loans/best-companies-to-refinance-auto-loan-with-bad-credit/
- https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/money/how-much-does-it-cost-to-refinance-a-mortgage
- https://www.bankrate.com/loans/auto-loans/what-credit-score-do-you-need-to-buy-a-car/
- https://www.investopedia.com/mortgage/refinance/when-and-when-not-to-refinance-mortgage/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/loans/auto-loans/refinance-auto-loan-bad-credit
- https://www.lendingtree.com/home/refinance/mortgage-refinance-denied/
- https://wallethub.com/answers/pl/is-15-apr-good-1000431-2140750778/
- https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/cost-to-refinance
- https://www.lendingtree.com/auto/refinance/the-best-and-worst-time-to-refinance-your-auto-loan/
- https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/car-loans/pay-off-car-loan-early/
- https://www.lendingtree.com/auto/what-credit-score-is-needed-to-buy-a-car/
- https://selfi.com/why-your-lender-wants-you-to-refinance/
- https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-long-do-i-have-to-rescind-when-does-the-right-of-rescission-start-en-187/
- https://www.caranddriver.com/auto-loans/a43149055/how-long-does-it-take-to-refinance-a-car/
- https://www.way.com/blog/car-loan-with-a-750-credit-score/
- https://www.bankrate.com/loans/auto-loans/auto-loan-refinancing-pros-and-cons/
- https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/advice/average-auto-loan-interest-rates
- https://www.moneygeek.com/personal-loans/how-to-get-a-30000-personal-loan/
- https://www.robinsfcu.org/news/why-you-should-consider-credit-union-refinance-your-auto-loan
- https://www.brtelco.org/talking-cents-financial-insights/whats-a-good-apr-for-a-car-loan-find-out-now
- https://ilendingcarloanrefinancing.com/6-mistakes-to-avoid-when-refinancing-your-car-loan/
- https://www.caranddriver.com/auto-loans/a42168046/can-you-refinance-car-with-same-lender/
- https://www.lendingtree.com/auto/how-to-lower-car-payment/
- https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/car-loans/how-many-times-can-you-refinance-your-car/
- https://www.wilsonkia.com/finance/car-buying-tips/how-to-get-a-lower-interest-rate-on-a-car-loan/
- https://ilendingcarloanrefinancing.com/do-i-need-a-down-payment-to-refinance-a-car-loan/
- https://capitalbankmd.com/homeloans/calculators/refinance-calculator
- https://www.bankofamerica.com/auto-loans/when-to-refinance-a-car/
- https://www.refijet.com/documents-needed-auto-refinance
- https://money.usnews.com/loans/auto-loans/best-auto-refinance-loans
- https://www.bankrate.com/loans/auto-loans/auto-loan-refinance-requirements/
- https://www.equifax.com/personal/education/loans/articles/-/learn/refinance-a-car-loan-when-should-i-refinance-my-car/
- https://nypost.com/personal-loans/personal-loans-for-600-credit-score/
- https://www.lendingtree.com/auto/debt-statistics/
- https://www.latimes.com/compare-deals/credit-cards/guides/good-apr-for-credit-card
- https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/car-loans/best-auto-loan-rates/
- https://assurancemortgage.com/is-refinancing-a-bad-idea/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/mortgages/when-to-refinance-mortgage
- https://wallethub.com/edu/cc/what-is-a-good-apr-for-a-credit-card/42759
- https://www.rategenius.com/how-refinancing-affects-auto-loans
- https://www.proctorhonda.com/auto-loan-qualification-credit-score-vehicle-interest-rate
- https://www.investopedia.com/after-car-loan-refinance-7498894
- https://www.refijet.com/solutions/get-cash-back-from-your-equity
- https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/mortgage-rates/
- https://www.bankrate.com/loans/auto-loans/auto-loan-rate-forecast/
- https://themortgagereports.com/54100/how-soon-can-i-refinance-after-i-close-on-my-mortgage
- https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/car-loans/auto-loan-interest-rates-by-credit-score/
- https://www.caranddriver.com/auto-loans/a44075177/refinance-an-older-car/
- https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/how-much-it-costs-to-refinance/
- https://www.bankrate.com/loans/auto-loans/does-refinancing-start-your-auto-loan-over/
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/personal-loan-lenders-credit-score-below-670/
- https://www.caranddriver.com/auto-loans/a44075101/refinance-car-loan-with-credit-union/
- https://www.creditkarma.com/auto/i/how-to-refinance-car-loan
- https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/education/interest-apr/why-did-your-credit-card-apr-increase
- https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/how-long-does-it-take-to-refinance-a-house
- https://www.lendingtree.com/auto/refinance/how-soon-can-you-refinance-a-car-loan/
- https://www.bankrate.com/loans/auto-loans/when-to-refinance-car-loan/
- https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/home-refinance-options-for-people-with-bad-credit/
- https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/do-i-need-money-down-to-refinance/
- https://themortgagereports.com/76288/basic-refinance-requirements
- https://www.progressive.com/answers/refinancing-a-car-loan/
- https://www.carsdirect.com/auto-loans/car-loan-rates/what-s-a-good-apr-on-a-car-loan
- https://www.creditkarma.com/auto/i/refinancing-car-loan
- https://themortgagereports.com/30891/should-i-refinance-or-just-pay-down-the-principal
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/loans/auto-loans/how-to-refinance-your-car-loan
- https://www.rategenius.com/how-car-loan-refinancing-affects-credit
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/pros-and-cons-of-refinancing-home/
- https://www.clearviewfcu.org/Resources/Learn/Blog/Does-Refinancing-Hurt-My-Credit
- https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/when-to-refinance/
- https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/refinance-home-equity-is-important/
- https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/refinance-mortgage-requirements
- https://wallethub.com/answers/pl/is-10-apr-good-1000431-2140750776/
- https://better.com/faq/refinancing-your-mortgage/how-will-a-refinance-affect-my-monthly-mortgage-payments
- https://www.lendingtree.com/home/refinance/refinance-with-bad-credit/