Typically, a bank won't finance any vehicle older than 10 years, even if you have good credit.
Luckily, a wide range of financing options is available. Long term auto loans, such as 72 months in length, offer buyers an opportunity to pay lower monthly payments, which can be a very attractive option. However, this type of financing might not be right for everyone.
There's no right or wrong length to finance a used car. The loan term that's right for you can be as short as 24 months or as long as 84 months – it all comes down to your current financial situation and future plans for the vehicle.
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.
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.
Depending on multiple factors, such as credit score, some consumers may qualify for financing of 84 months – an eight-year term – or more. The average loan term at the start of 2021 was 69 months for new and nearly 66 months for used vehicles, according to Experian data.
Typically, a bank won't finance any vehicle older than 10 years, even if you have good credit. If you don't have great credit, you may find it difficult to finance through a bank, even for a new car.
The average car loan term in 2018 is around 72 months – six years. Some lenders and credit unions, however, offer extended loan terms of anywhere from 96 months (eight years) to 120 months (10 years).
Stretching your loan term to seven or even 10 years is probably too long for an auto loan because of the interest charges that stack up with a higher interest rate. ... If you make every scheduled payment over those seven years, you pay over $5,200 in interest charges.
If your goal is to make a vehicle fit within your monthly budget, 84-month financing could be a compelling option. ... Since vehicles lose value over time, some consumers may find that they may owe more than the vehicle is worth. If your circumstances change, negative equity can even impact the cost of your next purchase.
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.
Financing a car over 10 years old is quite simple. All you have to do is apply for the loan and head over to the dealership once you're approved. However, the process can be even easier when you work directly with a dealership.
Edmunds data shows that 62 percent of car loans in 2014 were for terms above 60 months. This 2015 Toyota Camry would cost roughly $4,321 more to finance for a 72-month loan than it would for a 60-month loan. A seven-year-old car has lost about 64 percent of its new-car value in 2014.
According to experts, a car payment is too high if the car payment is more than 30% of your total income. Remember, the car payment isn't your only car expense! Make sure to consider fuel and maintenance expenses. Make sure your car payment does not exceed 15%-20% of your total income.
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.
“If you can afford it, go with 36-months. If not you could go with a longer loan, but know that you will likely pay more for the car than what it is worth. If you do go with a 48 or 60-month loan, you should pay extra whenever you can. This will help you pay off the loan early which will save you money in the long run.
Some car dealerships and credit unions offer even longer terms for auto finance, like a 96-month car loan. Extending loan terms lets car buyers get what they want while staying within their monthly budget, according to Melinda Zabritski, Experian's senior director of automotive finance.
Minimum Income Requirement: All lenders require you to make a certain amount every month. While it can vary, the typical monthly minimum income requirement many special finance lenders have is $1,500 to $2,000 before taxes are taken out.
Can I Finance a Vehicle With Over 100,000 Miles? Yes. Some banks will finance vehicles with high mileage because they understand that vehicles last longer than they used to.
Since classic cars are generally much older than the average vehicle purchase, they may not qualify for a traditional auto loan. In order to secure funding through a loan — should you need it — to buy your slice of automotive history, you may have to find a lender that provides classic car loans.
It's possible to buy a car with no credit, but your financing options may be limited, and you'll likely face challenges that consumers with a solid credit history may not encounter. Lenders typically prefer applicants who have an established pattern of responsible borrowing and making on-time payments.
Most car loans are available in 12 month increments, lasting between two and eight years. The most common loan terms are 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, and 84 months, according to Autotrader.
A short auto loan length may be 36 months to one borrower, and 12 months to another. A 60-month car loan was long considered conventional, but the average new-car buyer is creeping closer to 70 months. Some banks and credit unions even offer 96-month terms.
There's really only one benefit of a long-term auto loan that spans six to seven years or even longer. The longer the car loan, the smaller the monthly payment. By taking out financing with an extended loan term, you can potentially buy a more expensive car and still stay within your monthly budget.