A lender sets the auto loan term length for a used car, which varies from company to company. Until recently, used car loans were generally limited to 72 months. However, today borrowers can secure used car loans for 84 months or more due to the rising need for vehicles.
Experian reveals that 42.1% of used-car shoppers are taking 61- to 72-month loans, while 23% go even longer, financing between 73 and 84 months. If you bought a 3-year-old car and took out an 84-month loan, it would be 10 years old when the loan was finally paid off.
Generally, the longest loan term you'll find is seven years, or 84 months. There are, however, some lenders that will extend used car financing to 92 or 96 months, or up to eight years. In 2018, 55% of new car loans originated were for 84 months.
Almost all car lenders are able to offer 84-month auto loans. However, it might be hard to qualify for one. Lenders take many factors into consideration, including the exact car you're purchasing, its loan-to-value (LTV) ratio, your credit score and more.
What's more, the average length of a finance contract has reached 70 months for a new car and 65 months for a used car, according to a report by Lending Tree. That means a lot of buyers may be in the same boat, borrowing more money than they can afford.
The longest term available for an auto loan is 10 years, or 120 months. A loan of this length will result in a low monthly payment, but the savings may be eclipsed by the huge interest costs. Also, note that most lenders do not offer 10-year auto loans.
The primary positives of financing a used car are:
Good Financing Rates – It's easier to get a reasonable APR on a used car, even if you have bad credit. Banks other lenders are less afraid of financing used vehicles, as they can simply repossess the car if the individual fails to pay.
A 60 month used car loan is a good option for those wanting to purchase a vehicle, have lower auto loan rates or decent monthly payments. Those wanting to refinance a current car loan can benefit from 60 month refinance rates. 60 month car loans are widely available and can be attained easily.
Having a 700 credit score puts you in the “prime” category for borrowing. According to Experian, the average rates for this category are 3.51% for new-car loans and 5.38% for used-car loans.
A high APR (“annual percentage rate”) car loan is one that charges higher-than-average interest rates. The legal limit for car loans is around 16% APR, but you will find lenders that get away with charging rates of 25% or more.
Paying off a car loan early can save you money — provided there aren't added fees and you don't have other debt. Even a few extra payments can go a long way to reducing your costs. Keep your financial situation, monthly goals and the cost of the debt in mind and do your research to determine the best strategy for you.
What is the average interest on a car loan with a 750 credit score? For a 750 credit score, the average auto loan rate is about 3.48 percent for new cars and 5.49 percent for used cars. Both of these rates are very good compared to the available range.
(1) You will generally pay less interest on a 36 or 48 month loan than you would on a 60 (assuming that we are not talking about 0% interest deals here). So, while your payments will be higher the shorter the term, your total interest paid will be lower.
One of the longest car loan terms available is generally a 96-month car loan — except not every lender will offer them, and specialty lenders may have other, longer terms available. If you're in the market for a low monthly payment, an eight-year-long car loan can provide this; although you may want to compare lenders.
For instance, using our loan calculator, if you buy a $20,000 vehicle at 5% APR for 60 months the monthly payment would be $377.42 and you would pay $2,645.48 in interest.
Bank financing
The primary benefit of going directly to your bank or credit bank is that you will likely receive lower interest rates. Dealers tend to have higher interest rates so financing through a bank or credit union can offer much more competitive rates.
While the older model will likely cost less, interest rates on used car loans are typically higher than loans for new cars. Experian State of the Automotive Finance Market report shows that in the second quarter of 2020 the average interest rate for new-car loans was 5.17% compared with 9.78% for all used-car loans.
How long is 72 months? 72 months is equal to 6 years.
Yes, so long as you qualify, you technically can have three car loans at the same time. However, because you have two loans already, it may be difficult to get approved for a third.
With a loan amount of $30,000, an interest rate of 8%, and a loan repayment period of 60-months, your monthly payment is around $700. Before you purchase your new vehicle, remember to budget for car maintenance, gas, and car insurance.