Best Auto Loan Refinance Rates in March 2025

Swap your current car loan for an auto refinance loan with a lower rate

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LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
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Southeast Financial Credit Union: Best for cheap auto refinancing rates

3.50%

Up to $100,000

12 to 84 months

600

Pros
  • Offers some of the lowest auto refinance rates on the market
  • Can apply to skip a payment if you need to
  • In addition to cars, also refinances ATVs, RVs, boats, motorcycles and jet skis
Cons
  • Loans require credit union membership
  • All brick-and-mortar branches are located in Tennessee
  • Can’t check rates without hurting credit

Why we like it

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Southeast Financial Credit Union offers the lowest auto loan refinance rates on our list. Keep in mind, these low rates will go to borrowers with excellent credit.

What to know

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If you want to get a cheaper auto loan by refinancing with lower rates, Southeast Financial Credit Union (SFCU) offers the lowest starting annual percentage rate (APR) of any lender on this list. And unlike many lenders, SFCU doesn’t limit car mileage or model year.

As is the case with most credit union auto loans, you’ll need to become a member to get a refinance loan. That said, qualifying is easy and costs a total of $10 or less.

How to qualify

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To qualify for a refinance loan with Southeast Financial Credit Union, you’ll need a credit score of at least 600.

You’ll also need to become an SFCU member, which requires creating a savings account with a $5 deposit and qualifying with one of the below:

  • Donate $5 to Autism Tennessee
  • Be a current or retired Southeast Financial Select Employee Group employee
  • Be a relative of a Southeast Financial Credit Union member
  • Live, work, worship, go to school or volunteer in a qualifying Tennessee or Kentucky community, Tishomingo County, Miss., or Corinth, Miss.

Autopay: Best for cash-out refinancing

4.85%

$2,500-$150,000

24 to 84 months

580

Pros
  • Can pocket as much as $12,000 on a cash-out refi
  • Accepts fair credit
  • Check rates without hurting your credit score
  • Can reach customer service via text
Cons
  • Customer service is not available on Sundays
  • Fees will depend on what lender Autopay links you with

Why we like it

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With Autopay, you can take out as much as $12,000 in your car’s equity with a cash-out auto refinance loan.

What to know

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Autopay is a lending marketplace that connects borrowers with partner lenders. You don’t need perfect credit to qualify. Along with lenders RateGenius and Tresl, Autopay is owned by The Savings Group.

Autopay’s customer service is only available six days a week, but you can contact them via text message.

How to qualify

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Autopay connects borrowers to partner lenders and financial institutions. These partners all have different eligibility requirements.

To use the marketplace, you and the vehicle you’re refinancing must meet the requirements below:

  • Credit score: 580+
  • Minimum monthly income: $2,500
  • Vehicle restrictions: Must be 10 years or newer with less than 150,000 miles

PenFed Credit Union: Best for debt protection

4.89%

Up to $150,000

36 to 84 months

Not specified

Pros
  • Offers debt protection (for a small fee)
  • Can borrow up to 25% more than what is on your current loan balance for cash in your pocket
  • Can check rates without hurting credit
Cons
  • Credit union membership required (but anyone can join)
  • Sends the check to you (in your old lender’s name) instead of paying off your current lender directly
  • Car must have less than 125,000 miles (other lenders allow 150,000)

Why we like it

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Sometimes life happens and, when it does, for a small fee, PenFed Credit Union offers debt protection plans so you can avoid any negative impact to your credit. Debt protection can also provide peace of mind during a turbulent economy.

What to know

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In the case of death, disability or loss of employment, PenFed Credit Union offers the option of debt protection for a small monthly fee. In these instances, PenFed can cancel your loan balance or monthly payments with no penalties.

You can check rates before joining the credit union. If you want to accept your loan, you have to become a member. But unlike Navy Federal, PenFed accepts everyone, regardless of military affiliation.

How to qualify

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To qualify for a PenFed auto loan, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Membership: PenFed membership (anyone can join)
  • Administrative: Open a PenFed savings account with $5 deposit; may need to submit documents to verify your identity and income
  • Vehicle restrictions: Must have less than 125,000 miles

Consumers Credit Union: Best for refinancing small auto loans

4.99%

$250-$500,000

12 to 84 months

620

Pros
  • Could be a great option if you only have a couple of thousand left on your current auto loan
  • Refinances big car loans up to $500,000
  • 0.25% rate discount for autopay
Cons
  • Required credit union membership (but anyone can join)
  • Doesn’t give details about its vehicle restrictions

Why we like it

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Many auto refinance lenders start their loans at $5,000 or $10,000 and cap them to $100,000. At Consumers Credit Union (CCU), auto refinance loans run from $250–$500,000.

What to know

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If you’re stuck in a higher-interest, smaller car loan, CCU might be able to help. You just need a credit score of at least 620 to qualify for a refinance loan as small as $250. If you sign up for autopay, you also get a 0.25% interest rate discount. It doesn’t have to come out of a CCU account, either.

Still, like other credit unions, you’ll need to become a member of CCU in order to receive your loan funds. You’ll also have to pay a nominal one-time fee of $5.

How to qualify

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To get an auto refinance loan with CCU, you must meet the requirements below:

  • Minimum credit score: 620
  • Administrative: Pay a $5 fee (which CCU usually reimburses, but not on auto refinance loans); open a Member Share/Savings account

myAutoLoan: Best for fast funding

4.99%

Starting at $5,000

24 to 72 months

600

Pros
  • Funding within 24 hours
  • Can check rates without impacting credit
  • May still qualify with past bankruptcies
Cons
  • Not available in Alaska or Hawaii
  • Maximum car mileage of 125,000 (some allow 150,000)
  • No direct phone number or email address provided on website

Why we like it

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If you’re in a hurry to refinance your auto loan, you could receive your funds from myAutoLoan within 24 hours of approval. Other loan companies can take several days before giving you the money.

What to know

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myAutoLoan doesn’t issue loans directly. Instead, you can receive up to four offers from its partner lenders. If you’re approved for a refinance auto loan, you may receive your funds within 24 hours. And if you don’t have good credit, myAutoLoan does allow you to add a second person to your loan to boost your odds of approval.

However, if your car has more than 125,000 miles on it, you won’t be able to refinance it through myAutoLoan. You also can’t call myAutoLoan if you need help. Instead, you have to request a callback with an online form.

How to qualify

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You’ll need to meet these criteria to qualify for an auto refinance loan on myAutoLoan’s network:

  • Minimum $18,000 annual gross income
  • 600 minimum credit score
  • Must live in continental U.S.
  • Car cannot have more than 125,000 miles
  • Vehicle must be 10 years old or newer
  • Must have at least $5,000 left on current loan

RefiJet: Best for refinancing with a lower income

5.29%

$5,000-$150,000

24 to 96 months

500

Pros
  • Only requires you to make $1,900 a month ($2,200 a month for a joint loan)
  • Can still qualify with bad credit
  • Nearly perfect customer satisfaction score from LendingTree users
  • Handles the title transfer for you
Cons
  • Must have at least $5,000 left on your loan to refinance
  • No live chat for customer service (but you can text)

Why we like it

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RefiJet’s monthly income may not be the lowest for single applicants, but you only need to make at least $2,200 between the two of you if you’re getting a joint loan.

What to know

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It can be hard to qualify for an auto refinance loan with a lower income, especially if you have bad credit. RefiJet accepts both. LendingTree users who have refinanced their cars with RefiJet also rate it 4.9 stars out of 5.

If you only have a couple thousand to refinance, you will have to go with another lender. RefiJet’s loans start at $5,000.

How to qualify

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To qualify for a RefiJet auto refinance loan, you’ll need to meet these requirements:

  • Minimum credit score: 500+
  • Minimum income: $1,900 single or $2,200 joint; must have a job or verifiable source of income
  • Other credit considerations: Recent car payments must have been made on time
  • Vehicle restrictions: Must be less than 10 years old and have less than 150,000 miles
  • Administrative: Must have a valid driver’s license, full coverage insurance and vehicle registration

Auto Approve: Best for an easy experience

5.49%

$10,000-$150,000

12 to 96 months

600

Pros
  • Handles the car title with the DMV and pays off your old lender for you
  • Don’t need to give out your Social Security number to check rates
  • Finances cars and trucks up to 20 model years old (10 is more common)
Cons
  • Must have at least $10,000 to refinance (more than many other lenders)
  • Customer service isn’t available on weekends

Why we like it

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Refinancing your auto loan can come with lots of extra steps, but Auto Approve streamlines the process by directly paying off your current lender and covering your DMV paperwork.

What to know

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Auto Approve isn’t a direct lender — instead, it connects consumers with lenders in its network. To make the refinancing process easier on you, it’ll pay off your current lender and take care of any DMV paperwork for you once you close. You can apply with a co-borrower and may qualify even if you have a fair credit score.

If you need to refinance a small car loan, you may need to look elsewhere since Auto Approve’s loans start at $10,000. And as easy as Auto Approve’s experience may be, customer service is only available Monday through Friday.

How to qualify

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To qualify for a car refinance loan with Auto Approve, you’ll need a credit score of at least 600 and your car must be 20 model years or newer and have less than 125,000 miles.

To close on your loan, you will have to provide the following:

  • Driver’s license
  • Proof of insurance
  • Vehicle registration
  • Proof of income
  • Contract for current auto loan

iLending: Best for special vehicle refinancing

5.49%

$5,000-$150,000

12 to 96 months

560

Pros
  • In addition to cars, also refinances boats, motorcycles, RVs and ATVs
  • Can still qualify with bad credit
  • Might be able to refinance an upside-down car loan
  • Customer service is available seven days a week, and live chat is available
Cons
  • Doesn’t provide information about vehicle restrictions such as age and mileage

Why we like it

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If it gets you from point A to point B, iLending can probably refinance it. It refinances boats, motorcycles, RVs and ATVs, not just cars and trucks.

What to know

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iLending is a lending platform that hooks borrowers up with partner lenders. Having a variety of lenders on board means you have options. Some of iLending’s partners offer specialty vehicle financing, and you might even be able to refinance an upside-down car loan. When you’re upside down, it means you owe more on your car than what it’s worth.

While iLending refinances special vehicles like RVs and boats in addition to cars, it doesn’t specify maximum age or mileage restrictions.

How to qualify

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To refinance your vehicle with iLending, you must meet the below requirements:

  • Minimum credit score: 560
  • Minimum credit history: Six months and one credit account (credit card, mortgage, loan)
  • Minimum income: $1,500 per month (varies)

OpenRoad Lending : Best for refinancing with bad credit

5.49%

$7,500-$100,000

36 to 84 months

460

Pros
  • Can still qualify with a score as low as 460
  • Provides free credit scores
  • Refinances upside-down car loans
Cons
  • Car needs to be eight model years or newer (10 model years is more common)
  • Must fax your paperwork (many lenders have an online portal)
  • Can’t be self-employed

Why we like it

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While some lenders require that you have a high credit score to get an auto refinance loan, OpenRoad Lending allows you to qualify with a credit score of 460.

What to know

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With a minimum credit score requirement of just 460, OpenRoad Lending could be a solution if you’re struggling to get approved. Another lending platform, OpenRoad, doesn’t offer loans itself.

Instead, it works with partner lenders, some of which are open to bad credit. It also provides free credit scores. That way, you can track your progress as you make on-time payments.

Compared to its credit score requirements, OpenRoad’s vehicle requirements are a little strict. It only refinances cars that are eight model years and newer. It also doesn’t offer specialty vehicle refinancing.

How to qualify

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To qualify for refinancing through OpenRoad Lending, you’ll need to meet the following criteria:

  • Minimum credit score: 460+
  • Minimum monthly income: At least $1,500 gross (Uber does not qualify)
  • Vehicle restrictions: Must be eight model years or newer and have less than 140,000 miles

How auto refinancing works

Auto refinancing is the act of replacing your current auto loan with a new one. Here’s how to do it.

Review your current auto loan

Find your auto loan payoff amount and current interest rate.

Decide if refinancing is right for you

Use an auto refinance calculator to see if refinancing will save you money or lower your car payment.

Apply for an auto refinance loan

Compare offers from several auto refinance lenders and apply to the one that’s best for you.

Start paying your new lender

Accept your loan and start paying your new lender. Most refinance lenders will pay off your old loan and handle the paperwork, but it’s best to ask.

Auto refinance rates

Auto refinance rates from the lenders on this page start as low as 3.50%. But it’s hard to tell what rates you’ll get without prequalifying or applying with a lender.

When you get an auto refinance loan, you replace your current loan with a new one. To make sure you land the best rates, be sure to shop around with various lenders and compare offers.

During this process, you’ll need to pay close attention to interest rates, fees, repayment terms and lender requirements. As with auto financing loans, the lowest rates will go to those with the highest credit scores and best repayment histories.

Auto refinance rates by credit score

We’ve compiled the average auto loan refinance rates for LendingTree marketplace users so you can estimate the rates you’ll likely qualify for based on your credit score.

Credit tierAverage APR
Excellent credit (720+)7.16%
Good credit (680 - 719)8.72%
Fair credit (640 - 679)9.73%
Poor credit (639 or less)12.10%

Source: LendingTree user data from Q4 of 2024.

Expert insights on auto refinancing in 2025

Matt Schulz LendingTree chief consumer finance analyst headshot

Matt Schulz

Chief consumer finance analyst

I think we’ll see people wait to refinance. There’s reason to be hopeful that rates will fall given the cuts we saw in 2024. If more cuts materialize, we could see a spike in refinancing. However, that is far from certain.

If you’re looking to refinance anytime soon, Schulz does not think the first half of 2025 will be ideal since the Fed is stepping back from rate cuts. The second half of 2025 is even less clear, Schulz says, as we wait to see what effect the new administration’s policies will have on the economy.

How to refinance an auto loan with LendingTree

Check your credit score

Get your free credit score with LendingTree Spring. We’ll need it to personalize your refinance offers.

Compare your offers

Tap into our exclusive lender network (America’s largest) and get multiple offers with just one form.

Refinance your car

When you’re ready to apply, we’ll be there to help. Once approved, the lender will give you instructions on how to complete your refinance.

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Can you refinance a car with bad credit?

You may be able to refinance a car loan with bad credit, but you’ll have to apply with lenders that accept lower credit scores. The auto refinance lender on this list with the lowest minimum credit score is OpenRoad. It only requires a score of at least 460.

And if the rate on your auto refinance loan is higher than what you’re currently paying, then refinancing isn’t worth it — unless you’re trying to stretch out your loan term.

If you can’t afford your car loan because your monthly payments are too high, it can make sense to refinance your loan with a similar or even slightly higher interest rate.

To do this, focus on the longest car loan that you qualify for, with the lowest rate. Just know that you will be paying more overall interest. Still, if it keeps your car from being repossessed, the extra interest could be worth it.

If you don’t qualify for refinancing and you’re struggling to keep up with payments, contact your lender and ask if it has a hardship program.

Tip: Consider a co-borrower

If you’re having a hard time getting an auto refinance loan because of bad credit, consider getting a co-borrower or cosigner. A co-applicant is a second person on your refinance loan, and it’s best that they have excellent credit.

Including a co-borrower or cosigner can help you get approved or get a lower rate because it reduces the lender’s risk. If you don’t pay back your loan, they are also responsible. A co-borrower also has equal rights to the car as you, so choose carefully.

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Should I refinance my car?

Borrowers refinance auto loans after buying a car for a variety of reasons. Here’s when to consider refinancing your car loan:

  • Your credit score has increased. Improving your credit score can boost your chances of qualifying for better rates when you refinance your car loan. You can raise your score by making on-time payments on your current auto loan and by reducing other debts.
  • Interest rates have dropped. If interest rates have dropped since you took out your car loan, you may be able to land better rates with a refinance.
  • You’re struggling to make payments. If you can’t keep up with your current loan, consider refinancing for a longer term. This can help lower your monthly car payments. Keep in mind that you’ll pay more in interest in the long run.
  • You bought at a buy here, pay here. If you bought a vehicle at a buy here, pay here car lot, you are probably paying super-high interest rates. Even if your credit isn’t perfect, you might get a lower rate by refinancing with a legitimate lender.
  • You want to add or take someone off of your car title. Most auto refinance lenders let you add or remove co-borrowers during the refinancing process. When you add or remove a co-borrower, you’re also adding or removing them from the title.

Does it cost money to refinance a car?

It can cost money to refinance a car. Some lenders charge doc fees or admin fees, sometimes reaching several hundred dollars. These fees are meant to cover overhead, like filing DMV documents on your behalf. Typically, your lender will roll these fees into your loan, so they aren’t an out-of-pocket expense.

Estimate your new car payment

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How we chose the best auto refinance lenders

We reviewed more than 44 lenders and financial institutions that offer auto refinance loans to determine the overall best 10 lenders. To make our list, lenders must offer competitive APRs. From there, we prioritize lenders based on the following factors:

  • Accessibility: We chose lenders with auto loans that are available to more people and require fewer conditions. This may include lower credit requirements, wider geographic availability, faster funding and easier and more transparent prequalification, preapproval and application processes.
  • Rates and terms: We prioritize lenders with more competitive starting fixed rates, fewer fees and greater options for repayment terms, loan amounts and APR discounts.
  • Repayment experience: For starters, we consider each lender’s reputation and business practices. We also favor lenders that report to all major credit bureaus, offer reliable customer service and provide any unique perks to customers, like free wealth coaching.

LendingTree reviews and fact checks our top lender picks on a monthly basis. We partner with dozens of auto lenders, but partners and non-partners receive equal treatment in our systematic scoring and review process.

Frequently asked questions

Each lender has its own rules for which cars it will refinance. Usually, your car needs to have less than 125,000 or 150,000 miles on the odometer. Most lenders only refinance cars that are 10 years or newer, although there are some exceptions (see Auto Approve).

Also, your car needs full coverage insurance before you can refinance, and you will likely need to provide an active registration. You may also have a hard time refinancing a car with a salvage or branded title.

Before applying and taking a hard credit hit, make sure your car fits the lender’s eligibility requirements.

Refinancing your car loan can be a good idea if you qualify for a lower interest rate than what you’re paying on your current car loan. This can happen if you’ve improved your credit after buying your car, or if rates in general have dropped.

It might also be a good idea to refinance your car if you want a lower car payment. You can do this by choosing a refinance loan with a longer term. You will pay more overall interest, however.

Some people also refinance in order to add or remove a co-borrower. By doing so, that person will be added or removed from the car title. Adding a co-borrower to your auto refinance loan can help you get a lower rate if your co-borrower has excellent credit.

When you refinance a car loan, you’re trading your old loan and terms with a new loan — often from a different lender — that has terms that benefit you in some way. People typically refinance to get lower rates and/or monthly payments, or to shorten their loan term (and pay less in interest).

It’s usually best to wait at least six months before refinancing your auto loan.

Applying for two loans too close to each other (in this case, your first auto loan and then your auto refinance loan) can be bad for your credit score. If your credit score drops, then your auto refinance rate might be more than what you’re paying on your current auto loan.

Now, how soon you can refinance a car loan will depend on how long it takes for the car title to transfer to you. That can take a few days or more than a month — it varies by state and other factors. Even so, you may want to wait at least six months to refinance, if you can.

Refinancing an auto loan can affect your credit score, since you’ll need to submit to a hard credit pull when you apply for a loan. This can cause your score to drop by a few points temporarily. However, as you repay your car loan, your score will gradually increase again.

You usually don’t need a down payment to refinance a car. A down payment is usually only required when you are upside down on your car loan, or owe more than it’s worth. You might also have to make a down payment to refinance if you have bad credit, but that’s up to the lender.