Auto Loan 101: Factors to Consider - The Family Credit Union (2024)

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Understanding the different factors involved with these loans will enable you to plan for an application and consider any offers you receive. Here are some important factors to know about when applying for an auto loan.

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1. Credit Score

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Your credit score is based on the credit history found in your credit reports and sums up how reliable you are with repayments. It’s a reference for institutions looking to give out loans and helps to determine how much money they will be willing to lend and what conditions the loans come with, such as rate of interest and monthly payment.

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2. Debt-to-Income Ratio

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Lenders can also assess your ability to take on new debt through a debt-to-income ratio. This ratio measures of your overall debt compared to income. A borrower with a high debt-to-income even with a high income, has a chance to get a lower loan amount and less favorable terms than they would otherwise receive.

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3. Size of Initial Payment

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The money you initially pay can have a big effect on your loan. A down payment can be used to reduce your total loan amount, which means less risk for the lender. It is also less likely for you to stop making payments and risk losing the car. In most cases, the larger the down payment and the lower the loan amount, the lower the interest, and the more favorable the offer will be.

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4. Length of Auto Loan

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The amount borrowed will be divided into monthly installments that will be paid back over a set number of years. The length of that period will dictate the size of your monthly car payment. For example, if a car buyer with a $20,000 loan, 60-month term and 6 percent APR they would end up with a monthly payment of $387. If they were to increase the length of the loan to 72 months, the payment drops to $331, although total amount of interest charges will increase. Car loans typically range from three to seven years, with six years being the average, and the longer loan’s terms, typically come with higher APRs.

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5. Year of Vehicle

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Another factor of an auto loan is the year of the car. New cars are typically associated with lower-rate loans than used cars. The reason for this is because of lending risk. In the event of a repossession, a new car has a higher resale value, enabling the lender to recover more of the money that they may have lost.

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Get Auto Loan Financing that Suits You the Best

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Along with the factors that are listed above, the choice of lender will also affect a buyer’s auto loan and their purchase process. The Family Credit Union has vehicle loans available for new or used autos, boats, motorcycles, or recreation vehicles. If you are in need of an auto loan, contact one of our professional staff today for more information. To keep up with the latest from The Family Credit Union, follow us on Facebook"}

Auto Loan 101: Factors to Consider - The Family Credit Union (1)

Financing is an important part of most car buyer’s purchases, and the terms of the auto loan can have a strong bearing on how you feel about the overall buying experience.

Understanding the different factors involved with these loans will enable you to plan for an application and consider any offers you receive. Here are some important factors to know about when applying for an auto loan.

1. Credit Score

Your credit score is based on the credit history found in your credit reports and sums up how reliable you are with repayments. It’s a reference for institutions looking to give out loans and helps to determine how much money they will be willing to lend and what conditions the loans come with, such as rate of interest and monthly payment.

2. Debt-to-Income Ratio

Lenders can also assess your ability to take on new debt through a debt-to-income ratio. This ratio measures of your overall debt compared to income. A borrower with a high debt-to-income even with a high income, has a chance to get a lower loan amount and less favorable terms than they would otherwise receive.

3. Size of Initial Payment

The money you initially pay can have a big effect on your loan. A down payment can be used to reduce your total loan amount, which means less risk for the lender. It is also less likely for you to stop making payments and risk losing the car. In most cases, the larger the down payment and the lower the loan amount, the lower the interest, and the more favorable the offer will be.

4. Length of Auto Loan

The amount borrowed will be divided into monthly installments that will be paid back over a set number of years. The length of that period will dictate the size of your monthly car payment. For example, if a car buyer with a $20,000 loan, 60-month term and 6 percent APR they would end up with a monthly payment of $387. If they were to increase the length of the loan to 72 months, the payment drops to $331, although total amount of interest charges will increase. Car loans typically range from three to seven years, with six years being the average, and the longer loan’s terms, typically come with higher APRs.

5. Year of Vehicle

Another factor of an auto loan is the year of the car. New cars are typically associated with lower-rate loans than used cars. The reason for this is because of lending risk. In the event of a repossession, a new car has a higher resale value, enabling the lender to recover more of the money that they may have lost.

Get Auto Loan Financing that Suits You the Best

Along with the factors that are listed above, the choice of lender will also affect a buyer’s auto loan and their purchase process. The Family Credit Union has vehicle loans available for new or used autos, boats, motorcycles, or recreation vehicles. If you are in need of an auto loan,contact one of our professional staff today for more information. To keep up with the latest from The Family Credit Union, follow us on Facebook!

Auto Loan 101: Factors to Consider - The Family Credit Union (2024)

FAQs

What factors are considered when getting a car loan? ›

Factors used to determine auto loan interest rates
  • Your credit scores and history.
  • Your income and debts.
  • Amount of the loan.
  • Length of time you'll be paying back the loan, called the “loan term” or “term of the loan"
  • Amount of your down payment in relation to the value of the vehicle.
Jan 30, 2024

What 3 factors determine the monthly payment on an automobile loan? ›

Here are the 3 major factors that affect both your monthly payment and the total amount you'll pay on your loan:
  • The loan amount. It can be significantly less than the value of the car, depending on whether you have a trade-in vehicle and/or making a down payment.
  • The annual percentage rate. ...
  • The loan term.

Why should I use credit union for car loan? ›

Because credit unions are nonprofit organizations, Members can typically enjoy lower interest rates compared to banks. In fact, depending on how much you borrow for your car, you could save thousands of dollars over the life of the loan compared to a loan from a bank.

What three factors do you need to know when using a car loan payment calculator? ›

To use the car loan interest calculator, enter a few details about the loan, including:
  • Vehicle Cost: The amount you want to borrow to buy the car. ...
  • Term: The amount of time you have to repay the loan. ...
  • New/Used: Whether the car you want to buy is new or used.

What determines auto loan approval? ›

Steady jobs and longer tenures make lenders more likely to approve your application. Your earnings provide the means to repay your loan. Lenders may check a borrower's assets, including savings and checking accounts. Higher incomes allow qualification for more significant loan amounts and more favorable interest rates.

What other factors will influence my decision on a car loan? ›

Here are some important factors to know about when applying for an auto loan.
  • Credit Score. ...
  • Debt-to-Income Ratio. ...
  • Size of Initial Payment. ...
  • Length of Auto Loan. ...
  • Year of Vehicle. ...
  • Get Auto Loan Financing that Suits You the Best.

Is $2000 a good down payment on a car? ›

If you're considering a car that costs $25,000, putting down between $2,000 and $4,000 would be wise. However, the true answer to this question depends on your negotiation strategy. If you can negotiate a lower price or better terms, putting more money down may not save you much interest.

What matters most when financing a car? ›

Here are some key facts to know if you're considering an auto loan: The better your credit history, the better the interest rate you'll get. An annual percentage rate (APR) of 0% may seem appealing, but the terms of the loan might result in a higher monthly payment due to a shorter repayment period.

What is a good interest rate for an auto loan? ›

Average Car Loan Interest Rates by Credit Score
Credit Score RangeNew Car Loan RatesUsed Car Loan Rates
781 to 8505.64%7.66%
661 to 7807.01%9.73%
601 to 6609.60%14.12%
501 to 60012.28%18.89%
1 more row

What credit score do credit unions use for auto loans? ›

What credit score do auto lenders look at? The three major credit bureaus are Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. The two big credit scoring models used by auto lenders are FICO® Auto Score and Vantage. We're going to take at look at FICO® since it has long been the auto industry standard.

Which credit union is best for auto loans? ›

Summary: Best Car Loan Rates Of June 2024
CompanyForbes Advisor RatingLEARN MORE
PenFed Credit Union4.7Learn More Read Our Full Review
Consumers Credit Union4.2Learn More On Consumers Credit Union's Website
Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU)3.7View More
USAA3.7View More
3 more rows
May 31, 2024

Is it easier to get a loan at a bank or a credit union? ›

Getting a loan from a credit union should be your first consideration when you're in need of a loan. Most credit unions, including the Credit Union of Southern California (CU SoCal), have more flexible lending requirements than traditional banks.

How much is a $30,000 car payment for 5 years? ›

Provided the down payment is $5,000, the interest rate is 10%, and the loan length is five years, the monthly payment will be $531.18/month. With a $1,000 down payment and an interest rate of 20% with a five year loan, your monthly payment will be $768.32/month.

What 3 factors determines the cost of a loan? ›

down payment." When determining the total cost of a loan, factors such as credit history, length of loan, and interest rate are taken into consideration. 1. Credit history: Lenders often assess a borrower's credit history to determine their creditworthiness.

When comparing car loan offers what information should you consider? ›

When comparing your loan options, be mindful of the interest rates, terms and fees quoted by each lender. The best way to get a car loan is to get your credit score in the good to excellent range — typically 670 or higher — before getting a car loan.

What factors go into the decision to buy a car? ›

Let's discuss 5 factors to keep in mind as you budget for your next vehicle.
  • The Direct Cost of Purchasing a New Vehicle. This is the most obvious cost you'll need to consider. ...
  • Your Monthly Payment. ...
  • Auto Insurance. ...
  • Maintenance and Repairs. ...
  • Fuel Costs.

What is an important consideration before taking out a car loan? ›

Know Your Loan Eligibility Beforehand

Having a good credit score means more options for auto loan rates. Sometimes, dealers attempt to offer higher loan rates. Having prior knowledge of all auto loan rates you qualify for, in this case, will help you secure the right auto financing.

What financial criteria should be considered when buying a car? ›

20% down — be able to pay 20% or more of the total purchase price up front. 4-year loan — be able to pay off the balance in 48 months or fewer. 10% of your income — your total monthly auto costs (including insurance, gas, maintenance, and car payments) should be 10% or less of your monthly income.

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