The primary benefit of going directly to your bank or credit union 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.
How does a dealership make money on financing?
Auto dealerships make a lot of money off financing. Mostly, they act as intermediaries to connect their customers with banks and credit unions, earning either a flat fee for each loan referral, a percentage of the loan amount, or a portion of the interest.
Why do dealerships want you to finance with them?
“Car dealerships want you to finance through them for two main reasons: They can make money off the interest of a car loan you get through them. They may get a bit of a kickback if they’re the middleman between you and another lender (commission).
How does financing at a dealership work?
You and the dealer enter into a contract where you buy a car and agree to pay, over a period of time, the amount financed plus a finance charge. The dealer typically sells the contract to a bank, finance company, or credit union that will service the account and collect your payments. Multiple financing options.
Is it better to finance through the dealer? – Related Questions
Is financing a car worth it?
By getting a car loan that you know you’ll be able to pay back, you can get and use the car that you want and make monthly repayments over a number of years. Financing a car can also help you maintain your savings and have emergency funds in case something happens in the future.
What are the cons of financing a car?
But, there are also many disadvantages to financing a car purchase with an auto loan: The monthly payments are generally higher. You need a down payment in the form of either a trade in or cash. Your vehicle will quickly lose value, depreciating immediately after purchase.
How do you finance a car through a dealership?
You apply for the loan directly with the institution, and if you’re approved, they write a check for the maximum amount you can borrow, which you take to pay the dealer for the vehicle. This type of loan is typically for those with good credit scores.
What is the process of financing a car?
In direct lending, you get a loan directly from a bank, finance company, or credit union. You agree to pay, over a period of time, the amount financed, plus a finance charge. Once you enter into a contract with a dealership to buy a vehicle, you use the loan from the direct lender to pay for the vehicle.
What does it mean to finance a car through a dealership?
Financing Through the Dealer
Dealer-arranged financing works the same way as bank financing—the only difference is that the dealer is doing the work on your behalf. After you choose your vehicle, the dealer will have you fill out a credit application, which they’ll submit to multiple lenders.
How long is the process of financing a car?
Dealerships will generally approve loans the same day, although it could take a few business days. Banks and credit unions can take anywhere from one business day to a few weeks to approve a loan depending on whether you’re a new customer and their loan backlogs.
Is it smart to do a 72-month car loan?
Is a 72-month car loan worth it? Because of the high interest rates and risk of going upside down, most experts agree that a 72-month loan isn’t an ideal choice. Experts recommend that borrowers take out a shorter loan. And for an optimal interest rate, a loan term fewer than 60 months is a better way to go.
What is a good interest rate for a 72-month car loan?
The average 72-month auto loan rate is almost 0.3% higher than the typical 36-month loan’s interest rate for new cars.
Loans under 60 months have lower interest rates for new cars.
| Loan term |
Average interest rate |
| 60-month used car loan |
4.17% APR |
| 72-month used car loan |
4.07% APR |
Whats a good APR for a car?
An auto loan’s interest rate will depend largely on your credit score. Those with a credit score between 781 and 850 saw an average new car interest rate of 2.4% in the first quarter of 2022. Meanwhile, borrowers with scores in the lowest range (300 to 500) saw average rates of 14.76%.
What APR is too high for a car?
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.
Why is my APR so high with good credit?
Those with higher credit scores pose a lower default risk to issuers and they accordingly tend to land better interest rates. Even if you have a higher interest rate and carry a balance, you can pay less interest on your credit card debt if you make payments whenever you can.