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Refinance Your Car and Lower Your Payment

Refinancing your current car loan is very similar to refinancing a home, however the process is much simpler, quicker, and in only a few minutes you can save yourself a lot of money.

With companies offering such low interest rates, auto refinance loans have grown in popularity over the past few years.

Most people are unaware they're able to refinance their current car loan or they believe it's too much of a hassle. Truth is, it's not difficult and it's the best way to lower your car payment and save thousands of dollars after you've already purchased a car. If you really like the car you've bought but you're not crazy about the interest rate, you may want to look into an auto refinance loan.

Dealers are experts at making money when they arrange financing for you. The best way you can avoid their scams is to familiarize yourself with the way a car dealerships make money financing cars. If you've fallen victim to one of their tricks, you can fight back by refinancing your vehicle.

If you've had bad credit in the past or recently cleaned it up, refinancing you vehicle may be a wise option, even if you've been paying on your original loan for a year or two. A drop of just 2% interest points will save you hundreds of dollars over the life of the loan.

What is an Auto Refinance Loan?

An auto refinance loan is a loan that will pay off your current auto loan but normally has a lower interest rate and the process is simpler and much faster.

Benefits to refinancing your current auto loan online:

• Lower your current car loan's monthly payment.
• Refinancing will lower your current interest rate.
• Allows access to extra cash for your additional financial responsibilities.
• Will help you improve your auto loan terms and conditions.
• Use the lower rate loan to consolidate higher interest debt.

Why Should You Refinance Your Current Car Loan?

Many people don't realize the benefits of refinancing their vehicle when interest rates drop. Not only does refinancing your car loan lower your interest rate and your monthly payment. It will also save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars in interest charges.

Along with lowering your monthly payment, an auto refinance loan can also provide you with some extra money every month to spend as you choose. Refinancing car loans has become very popular over the past few years with the way interest rates have been dropping.

To determine if refinancing your current auto loan is right for you. You need to look at your own personal situation. Here are some situations when refinancing your car loan may be right for you.

Reasons to consider refinancing your vehicle:

• You're currently paying a high interest rate on your vehicle.
• Applying is quick, easy and can be done online.
• Your credit history and score have improved since you first financed your current vehicle (or vehicles).
• You need extra cash quickly or for an emergency.
• You want to lower your current car loans interest rate and monthly payments.
• Your expenses have unexpectedly risen and your income has not.
• You are renting a home.
• You would like to take advantage of a financial option with a quick turnaround time to help improve your credit.

Is it Easy to Refinance My Vehicle?

If you have good, average, or even bad credit the answer is YES! Online lenders offer several different auto refinance loan options for people with all kinds of credit. It only takes a few minutes to submit your information for free. If you do not get the answer you're looking for, you can just walk-away with no-obligation.

How to Apply for an Auto Refinance Loan Online

Many people are under the misconception that it's too difficult or a big hassle to try and refinance their current car loans. This is just one of the many untruths about refinancing your car I expose in another section. Fact is all you need is a computer and about 5 minutes of your time to possibly save thousands of dollars. You have a chance to save even more in interest charges if you have less than perfect credit.

Car refinance has been gaining popularity over the past few years. We've received quite a few emails on exactly how to apply for an auto refinance loan online. So I've broken it down step-by-step for you below.

How to Increase Your Refinance Loan Approval Chances

Each lender has its own set of algorithms and this is why it's important to comparison shop a couple different companies.

There are certain things you can do to increase your chances of being approved. The more tips you have completed before you apply, the better chance you will have for being approved for an auto refinance loan.

Tips on how to increase your approval chances for an auto refinance loan:

• Wait until you have at least 6 months of stable and verifiable employment, the longer employment time the better. If you don't have 6 months with the same employer, providing proof of 1 year in the same industry will also be sufficient.
• Proof of income. (May be asked to provide proof with a computer generated paycheck stub)
• Proof of living at the same residence for at least 6 months. (The longer residence, the better) It is best not to apply for a loan if you have recently moved in the past 6 months.
• Get your credit report and credit score from a reputable online company such as MyFreeScoreNow beforehand. Review your bureau, and make sure there are no mistakes or recent blemishes appearing on your credit report (at least within the last 6 months).
• Pay down your current credit cards to decrease your debt as much as possible, this will also increase your overall credit score and help you qualify for better interest rates.
• Close any open lines of credit you may not be using. These stagnate credit lines are lowering your credit score.
• Do not apply for an auto refinance loan unless your bankruptcy has been discharged. Your chances for approval are slim if you have multiple bankruptcies showing on your credit report.
• The car loan you want to refinance is current and you have other lines of current credit showing on your credit report.
• Have at least 2 years of federal tax returns if self employed.

Minimum Auto Refinance Loan Requirements

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• Have a valid driver's license.
• Must have proof of full coverage insurance.
• Be a current U.S. Citizen with a valid Social Security number.
• A minimum yearly salary of $24,000 a year or a co-signer.

How Much Can You Save Refinancing Your Car?

This is the most commonly asked question when it comes to an auto refinance loan. There are many factors that will come when figuring how much you will save when refinancing your current car loan.

Auto refinance loan example #1

Let's say you bought a new car and financed an amount of $22,000 for 60 months through the dealership's finance department. At the time you purchased the car you didn't have any credit, you had bad credit or the dealer tricked you with a car buying scam like the credit score finance scam .

Now you have a great car but a horrible car loan. Don't feel bad, this kind of situation happens all the time at car dealerships across the nation. Car dealers are professional actors when it comes to selling cars. You get wrapped up in emotions and end up paying 18-21% interest or higher when buying the car.

After paying on your car for a couple months, you decide to refinance your car loan with an online lender. You end up getting approved at 8%.

If your current rate from the dealership was 18.95% and you're approved through an online company to refinance your car loan at an APR of 8%. You'll end up saving $7,440.38! You'll also lower your monthly car loan payment from $570.09 to $446.08. Giving yourself an extra $124.01 to do with what you wish.

As you can see from the example above. Taking a few minutes to apply for an auto refinance loan through an online companies such as LightStream and myAutoLoan doesn't cost you a penny and may save you a few thousand dollars in interest charges.

Frequently Asked Auto Refinance Questions

The following questions are the most common we receive about refinancing an auto loan.

Should I Refinance if I Already Have a Low Interest Rate?

The short answer is YES! Refinancing a car loan is not just for people who have bad credit trying to get a better interest rate. Having great credit, you already understand and know how to manage your money wisely. If you're paying around 4% APR or more on your current car loan, you may still have some savings coming your way.

It's absolutely free to apply and the most reputable companies such as RoadLoans.com, myAutoLoan.com, and Up2Drive do not have any fees if you decide to go with them. If after you've applied and you don't see any savings, you're under no obligation to do anything further, just walk away.

If you are currently financing $25,000.00 and paying 6.95% on your current car loan and you get approved online for an auto refinance loan at a 4.95% APR. You will save yourself $1,393.93! You should always take advantage of low interest auto refinance loans, the only thing that can happen is they save you some money.

Does it cost to refinance my current car loan?

Reputable auto finance lenders will want to acquire your business for free. They will make money from the auto loan interest rate when they refinance your car loan. If an automobile finance lender is requiring an upfront fee of any kind just for you to apply with them, AVOID THEM!

Most reputable online lending companies such as LightStream and myAutoLoan do not charge a fee to apply for an auto refinance loan. You may be subject to some fees that are associated with the actual refinancing of your current car loan but they are usually minor compared to the amount of money you can actually save.

Does refinancing my car require a large down payment?

Putting money down when refinancing your current car loan is not a common practice. Every person's situation is different; some lenders may require a down payment. Once you're approved, the lender will provide you with any additional information before you sign any documents.

Applying for an auto refinance loan online is free and there is no obligation. If you are required to put money down and you don't have any funds available. You can always just "walk-away".

What is the minimum amount you can refinance?

Most auto lenders will not approve an auto refinance loan if the payoff is less than $7,500. Lenders must make it worth their time and expenses to carry the loan. If you're payoff is less than $7,500. You may want to apply for a little more to use towards other financial obligations.

May I have a co-signer when refinancing my car?

You can have a co-signer sign with you through most lenders. If you have bad credit or if you don't earn the minimum monthly income. Using a co-signer with good credit will greatly decrease your overall risk and increase your chances of being approved at a lower APR.

How much should I borrow with a refinance loan?

To create a little flexibility, it's suggested that you apply for a larger amount than actually needed to finance the remaining balance of your current car loan.

You can use the extra money to apply towards high interest credit cards or even purchase an extended auto warranty. If you're extending your car loan's term when refinancing, you may want to make sure your vehicle will be protected until it's paid off.

There are several auto refinance loan myths floating around the Internet keeping car buyers, like yourself, from saving thousands of dollars. Find out the truth about these misconceptions in our most common myths about refinancing your car.

Read more auto loan and car loan tips here >>