| Lender/Lending Platform | Lowest APR for refinance (as of Jan. 18, 2024) |
|---|---|
| Autopay | 4.67% |
| Digital Federal Credit Union | 6.74% |
| LightStream | 7.74% |
| Caribou | 5.99% |
| PenFed Credit Union | 5.94% (model 2023 or newer and less than 7,501 miles) 6.79% (pre-owned vehicles with more than 7,501 miles) |
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- Monthly payment savings
- Total interest & fee savings
$2,102lower
Change in total interest cost
Est. payment/mo*
Est. APR*
Change
$35
4.84%
Current
$326
for 60 mo.
10.98%
This loan
$291
for 60 mo.
6.14%
60 months term ( 0 mo. more )
$2,102lower
Change in total interest cost
Est. payment/mo*
Est. APR*
Change
$35
4.84%
Current
$326
for 60 mo.
10.98%
This loan
$291
for 60 mo.
6.14%
$1,419lower
Change in total interest cost
Est. payment/mo*
Est. APR*
Change
$24
3.23%
Current
$326
for 60 mo.
10.98%
This loan
$302
for 60 mo.
7.75%
60 months term ( 0 mo. more )
$1,419lower
Change in total interest cost
Est. payment/mo*
Est. APR*
Change
$24
3.23%
Current
$326
for 60 mo.
10.98%
This loan
$302
for 60 mo.
7.75%
$908lower
Change in total interest cost
Est. payment/mo*
Est. APR*
Change
$15
2.05%
Current
$326
for 60 mo.
10.98%
This loan
$311
for 60 mo.
8.93%
60 months term ( 0 mo. more )
$908lower
Change in total interest cost
Est. payment/mo*
Est. APR*
Change
$15
2.05%
Current
$326
for 60 mo.
10.98%
This loan
$311
for 60 mo.
8.93%
$860lower
Change in total interest cost
Est. payment/mo*
Est. APR*
Change
$14
1.94%
Current
$326
for 60 mo.
10.98%
This loan
$312
for 60 mo.
9.04%
60 months term ( 0 mo. more )
$860lower
Change in total interest cost
Est. payment/mo*
Est. APR*
Change
$14
1.94%
Current
$326
for 60 mo.
10.98%
This loan
$312
for 60 mo.
9.04%
$605lower
Change in total interest cost
Est. payment/mo*
Est. APR*
Change
$10
1.36%
Current
$326
for 60 mo.
10.98%
This loan
$316
for 60 mo.
9.62%
60 months term ( 0 mo. more )
$605lower
Change in total interest cost
Est. payment/mo*
Est. APR*
Change
$10
1.36%
Current
$326
for 60 mo.
10.98%
This loan
$316
for 60 mo.
9.62%
$184lower
Change in total interest cost
Est. payment/mo*
Est. APR*
Change
$3
0.41%
Current
$326
for 60 mo.
10.98%
This loan
$323
for 60 mo.
10.57%
60 months term ( 0 mo. more )
$184lower
Change in total interest cost
Est. payment/mo*
Est. APR*
Change
$3
0.41%
Current
$326
for 60 mo.
10.98%
This loan
$323
for 60 mo.
10.57%
Why refinance my car loan?
Refinancing your car loan can save you money monthly, in the long run, or both.
Hear from our editors: The best auto refinance loans and rates of 2024
Updated January 18, 2024
This date indicates our editors’ last comprehensive review and may not reflect recent changes in individual terms.
Editorial Note: Intuit Credit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our third-party advertisers don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. Information about financial products not offered on Credit Karma is collected independently. Our content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted.
Written by: Jennifer Brozic
An auto refinance involves taking out a new loan to pay off the balance of your existing car loan. Refinancing your car loan could help you snag a lower interest rate, reduce your monthly payment or get access to some much-needed cash.
We’ve analyzed some of the best auto refinance loans for a range of credit profiles — with features such as competitive starting interest rates, a range of loan amounts and the ability to get cash back — to help you find one that could be right for your situation.
- Best for people who need help with the refinance process: RateGenius and RefiJet
- Best for people with bad credit: Capital One Auto Finance
- Best for low starting interest rates: LightStream and Caribou
- Best for people who want a cash-out option: Autopay
- Best for people with a low car loan balance: PenFed Credit Union
- Who has the best auto refinance rates?
Best for people who need help with the refinance process: RateGenius and RefiJet
Why RateGenius and RefiJet stand out: Both RateGenius and RefiJet streamline the auto-refinancing process by handling the paperwork, title transfer and current loan payoff.
Here are some more details about RateGenius.
- Lending platform — RateGenius is an online platform that partners with more than 150 lenders to provide refinance offers to people who qualify for a loan.
- Range of credit histories considered — Lenders in the RateGenius network consider applicants with less-than-perfect credit, though interest rates could be significantly higher than someone with good or excellent credit would get.
Here are some more details about RefiJet.
- National network — RefiJet connects people with a national network of financial institutions, giving you a chance to receive loan offers from multiple lenders.
- Refinances more than just cars — Lenders in the RefiJet network provide refinance loans for cars, motorcycles and other personal-use vehicles.
- Not everyone can apply for prequalification — To apply for prequalification, you must be employed or have a steady source of income. You’ll also need to have a history of on-time auto loan payments, a vehicle that’s no more than 10 years old and full-coverage auto insurance.
Read our review of RefiJet refinance loans for more info.
Best for people with bad credit: Capital One Auto Finance
Why Capital One Auto Finance stands out: Your refinancing options can be limited if you have shaky credit, but Capital One Auto Finance considers applicants with lower credit scores.
Here are some more details about Capital One Auto Finance.
- Narrow vehicle and loan requirements — Your vehicle must be no more than 10 years old, and the payoff amount must be between $7,500 and $75,000.
- Doesn’t refinance its own loans — If your current auto loan lender is Capital One, you’ll need to look elsewhere for a refinance loan.
- Ability to apply for prequalification — To apply for prequalification, you must be at least 18 years old, live in the contiguous United States, and have a minimum monthly income of $1,500.
Best for low starting interest rates: LightStream and Caribou
Why LightStream and Caribou stand out: For people with excellent credit who qualify, LightStream and Caribou (formerly MotoRefi) both offer low starting interest rates that are close to — or even lower than — the starting rates that some lenders offer on new-car loans.
Here are some more details about LightStream.
- No vehicle age restrictions — There are no restrictions on the age or mileage of the vehicles LightStream will refinance.
- No prequalification option — Without the ability to prequalify, you’ll be able to see your loan terms only if you submit an application and are approved for a loan. This will involve a hard credit inquiry, which can lower your credit scores by a few points.
Here are some more details about Caribou.
- Lender network — Caribou partners with multiple lenders, so you could receive more than one offer with a single application if you prequalify.
- Refinancing fee — Caribou charges its lenders a $399 to $499 processing fee on each loan. Your lender may include that fee in your new loan amount.
Best for people who want a cash-out option: Autopay
Why Autopay stands out: Not all lenders offer cash-out refinancing, but Autopay offers cash-out options for qualified applicants. But before you apply for this type of loan, consider the risks.
Getting cash back will likely increase the amount you have to repay, which can make it difficult for you to keep up with your payments. And if you default on your loan, the lender may repossess your vehicle. Plus, when you get cash back, your loan-to-value ratio increases. This means you might end up owing more than the vehicle is worth, making it difficult to sell or trade in down the road.
Here are some more details about Autopay.
- Range of loans — Lenders in Autopay’s network offer traditional, cash back and lease buyout refinancing to qualified applicants.
- Large loan range — Loans through Autopay’s lender network range from $2,500 to $100,000 — though a lender may offer different terms on Credit Karma.
- All credit considered — Lenders in Autopay’s network consider people across the credit spectrum.
Best for people with a low car loan balance: PenFed Credit Union
Why PenFed Credit Union stands out: Many auto lenders have minimum loan amounts of $5,000 or more, making it difficult to refinance an existing loan with a low balance. But the minimum loan amount at PenFed Credit Union is $500.
Here are some more details about PenFed Credit Union.
- Membership required — You must be a member to qualify for an auto loan from PenFed Credit Union. Joining is easy, and you don’t necessarily have to be a member of the military.
- Large loan range — PenFed Credit Union offers auto loans ranging from $500 to $150,000, depending on your loan term.
- Doesn’t refinance its own loans — If you got your current car loan from PenFed Credit Union, it won’t refinance your loan. The lender only refinances auto loans from other lenders.
Who has the best auto refinance rates?
As noted above, LightStream and Caribou have low starting interest rates for those who qualify. Here are some other lenders with low starting refinance rates.
How we picked these lenders
We selected these lenders based on factors that may be important to people who want to refinance their auto loan, such as…
- Competitive rates
- Range of refinance loan types and amounts
- Whether the lender considers a range of credit profiles
- Ability to apply for prequalification to see estimated rates and loan terms without affecting credit scores
- Other perks, like step-by-step guidance throughout the refinancing process
What to consider with auto refinance loans
Whether you should refinance your auto loan depends on a range of factors, including whether your credit health has improved since you took out your current auto loan.
If your current monthly payment doesn’t fit into your budget, watch out for lenders that reduce your car payments by extending the length of your loan instead of offering a lower rate. With a longer term and the same interest rate, you may have lower monthly payments, but you’ll end up paying more in interest over the life of your loan. Plus, a longer loan term increases the odds that you’ll become upside down on your loan.
As with any loan, be sure to shop around and compare loan offers to find a loan with better terms that fit your financial goals and budget.
FAQ: Editors’ answers
Editorial Note: Intuit Credit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our third-party advertisers don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. Information about financial products not offered on Credit Karma is collected independently. Our content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted.
When should you refinance your car loan?
Whether refinancing your car is right for you depends on your financial circumstances and goals. You may want to give it some thought if your credit, finances or interest rates have recently improved.
Lenders look at a number of factors when determining your loan rate and terms. These may include your credit history, credit scores and debt-to-income ratio — your monthly debt payments compared to your monthly income. If your credit has improved or you’ve reduced your debt since you got your original car loan, you may be able to get a better interest rate with a refinance loan.
Even if your credit was good to begin with, you may not have gotten the best rate possible on your original loan if you didn’t shop around or you got your car from a dealership. Dealers may mark up interest rates in exchange for arranging your financing.
Auto refinancing may also make sense if interest rates have dropped since you took out your current loan. Interest rates can change regularly, and even a drop of 2 or 3 percentage points could result in substantial savings over the life of your loan.
Lastly, a refinance may help if you’re struggling to make your car payment each month. Getting a refinance loan with a longer loan term could help reduce your monthly payments. Just remember that an extended repayment period could mean you end up paying more in total interest on the loan.
When shouldn’t you refinance your car?
You may want to hold off on refinancing your car if you’ve already paid off most of your current auto loan, your car is an older model or if the fees will be hefty.
- If you’ve paid off most of your current loan — Interest is often front-loaded, which means that more of your car payment goes toward interest early on and more goes to principal toward the end of the loan term. If you refinance at the end of your loan, you may not be able to save much in interest.
- If your car is older or has a lot of mileage — You may have trouble qualifying for a refinance loan if your vehicle is an older model or has a lot of miles on the odometer. Many lenders won’t refinance cars with more than 75,000 to 125,000 miles on them or that are older than five to 10 model years.
- If you’ll incur a lot of fees — You may want to forego refinancing if the fees outweigh the benefits. Check to see if your current loan has a prepayment penalty. That fee — combined with any refinance fees such as processing, titling and state re-registration fees — can make a refinance more expensive and may cancel out any savings you would have seen with the refinance. Make sure paying these fees would still make sense for you before proceeding with a refinance.
How does auto loan refinancing work?
When you refinance your car loan, you replace your current loan with a new one. The new auto loan will have a new loan term and annual percentage rate. Many banks, credit unions and online lenders offer refinance loans — and the process for getting a refinance loan is similar to getting a loan for a car purchase.
Once you shop around, compare refinance loan offers and determine the best deal for you, you’ll need to complete a loan application. If your loan is approved, you can then pay off your original car loan and transfer your title to your new lender. (Your new lender may do one or both of these things for you.)
Does it cost money to refinance a car?
Refinancing a car may come with some costs. If your current lender charges a prepayment penalty fee for paying off your loan early, you’ll be on the hook for that expense.
Some lenders may also charge fees for services such as processing paperwork or handling title transfers. If your lender doesn’t handle the title transfer, you’ll need to take care of that yourself and pay any associated fees. Title transfer fees vary by state, so check with your state transportation agency to see how much a transfer costs where you live. Depending on the state, you may have to pay re-registration fees for your car. These fees also vary by state.
Some lenders may also charge application or origination fees. Make sure you ask any lenders you’re considering what fees they charge and whether they’re included in your loan amount.
Can you refinance your car loan with the same lender?
It depends on your lender. Some lenders will refinance auto loans they issued, while others won’t. For example, Capital One and PenFed Credit Union won’t refinance their own loans. But Bank of America will. If you’re considering an auto refinance, check with your current lender first to see if it will refinance its own car loans and at competitive terms.
Does refinancing a car hurt your credit?
An auto refinance can temporarily lower your credit scores in a couple ways.
- Hard credit check — When you apply for a refinance loan, lenders will perform a hard inquiry to check your credit history and scores. A hard inquiry can cause a slight drop in your credit scores. If you’re shopping around for a refinance loan and applying with multiple lenders, be sure to submit your applications within a 14-day period. While the time frame can differ, many credit-scoring models consider multiple inquiries within a 14-day window as just one inquiry, which will minimize the impact on your credit scores.
- Account closing — After you refinance, your original car loan will be closed. This can affect your credit scores because credit-scoring models consider the length of the accounts on your credit reports.
- New credit — If you’ve recently applied for and taken out other loans or credit, your credit scores could take a hit. Credit-scoring models consider several new accounts within a short time period to suggest a greater risk.
While these factors can lower your credit scores, an auto refinance could help improve your credit in the long run if you make consistent, on-time payments on your new car loan. Your payment history is the biggest factor in calculating your credit scores.
*Annual Percentage Rates, terms of loan, and monthly payments presented are estimated based upon analysis of information you entered, your credit profile and/or available rate information from lenders. While efforts have been made to maintain accurate information, the loan information is presented without warranty and the estimated APR or other terms presented do not bind any lender. Lenders generally have a range of available APRs (for example, a lender's range might be 2% to 24%) and only borrowers with excellent credit will qualify for the lowest rate available. Your actual APR will depend upon factors evaluated at the time of application, which may include credit score, loan amount, loan term, vehicle information, credit usage and history. All loans are subject to credit review and approval. Additionally, model year, loan-to-value, minimum loan balance mileage, income, debt, etc. restrictions may apply. When evaluating offers, please review the lender's Terms and Conditions for additional details.
†Calculations of savings are estimated based upon information entered by the consumer and average usage information combined with the lender's offer data. These estimates are presented for illustration purposes only.