How to Refinance an Auto Loan

by David Muir | Oct 05, 2011
After buying a brand new car, many people start to wonder how they can lower their car payments. Most of them that bought their car has in today's economy is dealing with fewer hours at work, or one of the spouses losing their job, and the income in the household is not enough to maintain the monthly bills. This is the time for them to think about auto refinance. Similar to a mortgage, consumers can complete an auto refinance loan and lower their monthly payments. 

Is auto refinance available ?
Online loan companies can help you refinance your car as long as you maintained your payments for at least 12 months. All you have to do is explain the reason why you want to refinance your loan, and if there's any valid reason they should be able to accommodate you with a refinance car loan and lowering your car payments, you should be good to go. Some will offer to simply extend your term and others may offer to lower your existing rate. Every lender has different requirements to qualify so be sure to find out what those are. 

Can you still refinance after having a bad credit?
Your existing lender can help you refinance your car loan but if your credit score is not the same from the time you bought the car, your interest rate might go up and your monthly payment may increase as well. It is advisable to check with different lenders before refinancing your loan from your existing lender. Most online lenders are more aggressive allowing those with less than perfect credit apply and get a refinance car loan that can help them save money.

What if my credit has improved since getting my car loan?
If you have made your car payments on time and have some stability with your employment and residency, there is a good chance your credit score has improved since purchasing your vehicle. If you fall into this category, you will definitely save money by completing a car refinance loan. In most cases, you will get a better interest rate and more favorable terms. 

What are the advantages of paying off your loan?
Instead of doing an auto refinance loan, it is better to pay off your loan if you have the ability to do so. You can save a lot of money in paying a little extra interest every month. People don't realize the amount of money you are paying in interest. Every dollar extra you can pay each month on your car payment will save you in the amount of interest you end up paying back to the lender. 

What is the perfect interest rate for an auto loan?
It is hard to determine the best interest rate for an auto loan. Lenders will provide that information after they receive the borrowers credit information. They also go by your credit score, your monthly income, your monthly expenses, and the value of the car you are buying. They can then provide the exact interest rate and the monthly payments you will need to pay. Auto refinance rates today are as low as 2.99% depending on term and credit quality.

It is highly recommended to deal with a reliable lending company when deciding on an auto refinance loan. Do your own research online and find the lender than best suits your needs. They are willing to provide you all different programs that will be available for you based on your requirements.