What is a good down payment on a car?

Asked by: Prof. Abby Frami V  |  Last update: February 17, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (57 votes)

How much should you put down on a car? One rule of thumb for a down payment on a car is at least 20% of the car's price for new cars and 10% for used — and more if you can afford it.

What's a good down payment on a 30k car?

Typical Down Payment: Many people put down between 10% to 20% of the vehicle's price. For a $30000 car, this would be between $3000 and $6000.

Is $2000 a good down payment on a car?

With good credit it's possible to get full financing., many automobile manufacturers have these offers specially at years end. Possible 0 % financing as well. $2000.00 is a good down payment.

Is $5000 a good down payment for a car?

In general, you should strive to make a down payment of at least 20% of a new car's purchase price. For used cars, try for at least 10% down. If you can't afford the recommended amount, put down as much as you can without draining your savings or emergency funds.

Is $4000 a good down payment for a car?

How much should a car down payment be? Financial experts recommend a down payment of at least 20 percent when financing a new or used vehicle. This amount is steep for many, especially with the recent spike in new and used car prices. For example, a 20 percent down payment on a $40,000 vehicle is $8,000.

ACCOUNTANT EXPLAINS: How much car can you REALLY afford (By Salary)

15 related questions found

How much down payment for a 25k car?

Example: A six year fixed-rate loan for a $25,000 new car, with 20% down, requires a $20,000 loan. Based on a simple interest rate of 3.4% and a loan fee of $200, this loan would have 72 monthly payments of $310.54 each and an annual percentage rate (APR) of 3.74%.

Can I put $2000 down on a car with bad credit?

Most subprime lenders – banks and other institutions that give loans to people with bad credit or no credit – usually require a down payment of 10% on a loan, or $1,000, whichever is greater. This is the minimum you can expect to pay for the vehicle of your choice. If it is possible, try to make a bigger down payment.

Is it smart to put a large down payment on a car?

It's good practice to make a down payment of at least 20% on a new car (10% for used). A larger down payment can also help you nab a better interest rate. But how much a down payment should be for a car isn't black and white. If you can't afford 10% or 20%, the best down payment is the one you can afford.

How much is a $20,000 car payment a month?

Payment Amount

For example, for a car price of $20,000, a down payment of $4,000, a loan amount of $16,000, a loan term of 48 months, an annual interest rate of 5%, and a start-of-period payment method, your payment amount would be $366.94. You would be paying this amount each month for your auto loan.

Is $300 a month a good car payment?

NerdWallet recommends spending no more than 10% of your take-home pay on your monthly auto loan payment. So if your after-tax pay each month is $3,000, you could afford a $300 car payment. Check if you can really afford the payment by depositing that amount into a savings account for a few months.

Is it bad to put 0 down on a car?

No down payment means a bigger car loan, leading to more interest (unless you pay your car loan off early). You might also need to choose a longer term to keep your monthly payments affordable, which means you'll pay more interest over the life of your loan.

Is $1500 enough to put down on a car?

There is no true one-size-fits-all answer to how much you need to put down on a vehicle. However, a good rule of thumb when buying a new vehicle is to have your down payment by 20% or more of the total purchase price. If you are buying a used vehicle, you may be able to put 10% down.

Does the dealership keep the down payment?

A: Under California law, a used car dealer generally cannot keep your down payment if the bank decided not to fund the loan and you returned the car.

What credit score is needed to buy a 30k car?

Generally, a good credit score to buy a car falls within the range of 660 to 720 or higher. However, it's important to note that each lender has different criteria, and some may consider lower credit scores as well.

How do I pay off my car loan faster?

7 ways to pay off your car loan faster
  1. Refinance with a new lender. ...
  2. Make biweekly payments. ...
  3. Round your payments to the nearest hundred. ...
  4. Opt out of unnecessary add-ons. ...
  5. Make a large additional payment. ...
  6. Pay each month. ...
  7. Take advantage of lender discounts.

What credit score do I need for a $20,000 car loan?

In general, you'll need a FICO credit score of at least 600 to qualify for a traditional auto loan, although there are lenders that offer bad credit auto loans.

How to pay off a 5 year car loan in 3 years?

How to pay off your car loan faster
  1. Make bi-weekly payments. ...
  2. Round up your monthly payment. ...
  3. Make one extra payment per year. ...
  4. Use extra money to make a payment. ...
  5. Refinance for a better rate. ...
  6. Check into discounts or optional add-ons.

Does it make sense to put 50% down on a car?

Not only does this show lenders how dedicated and serious you are to pay back the loan, investing some of your own cash into this purchase motivates success. You'll really see changes for the financial better in your car loan when you make a really large down payment, about 50%.

What car payment is too high?

Financial experts recommend spending no more than 10% of your monthly take-home pay on your car payment and no more than 15% to 20% on total car costs such as gas, insurance and maintenance as well as the payment. If that leaves you feeling you can afford only a beat-up jalopy, don't despair.

Why do car dealers like big down payments?

A low credit score's impact on your loan conditions decreases as you put more money down. Lenders are always going to be hesitant to lend to someone with a low credit score, so a larger down payment can help make them feel as if you're less risky.

How to get a car with no money down?

Another option may be to get a family member or friend with a strong credit score to cosign the loan. If you have poor credit, having a cosigner can help you get a car with no down payment and with potentially lower interest rates.

What is a good credit score to buy a car?

Your credit score is a major factor in whether you'll be approved for a car loan. Some lenders use specialized credit scores, such as a FICO Auto Score. In general, you'll need at least prime credit, meaning a credit score of 661 or up, to get a loan at a good interest rate.

How to build credit quickly?

9 ways to build credit fast
  1. Dispute credit report errors. ...
  2. Pay down your credit card balances. ...
  3. Become an authorized user. ...
  4. Deal with delinquent accounts. ...
  5. Open a credit card account. ...
  6. Take out a credit builder loan. ...
  7. Request a credit limit increase. ...
  8. Keep a mix of different account types.