Used Car Loan Rates 2026 (By Credit Score + Age)

Used car APRs by FICO (2026)

Used rates run ~1–3 points higher than new at every tier. Average: 781+ → 6.4%, 661–780 → 8.1%, 601–660 → 10.8%, 501–600 → 14.7%, below 500 → 17.2%+.

The vehicle-age penalty

Most lenders won't finance vehicles over 10 years old or over 100,000 miles. Some won't finance over 7/80k. Lenders that DO finance older vehicles charge a premium — typically 1.5–2.5 points above their published rates.

Down payment requirements

Used cars almost always require down payments. Standard: 10% with 700+ FICO, 15–20% with 600–700, 25%+ below 600. A larger down payment doesn't lower your rate much but does help approval.

Where to shop

Credit unions (PenFed, Navy Federal) are aggressive on used-car rates if you qualify. Online aggregators (Autopay, MyAutoLoan) are best for soft-pull shopping. Dealer financing on used cars is almost always the worst rate.

Frequently asked questions

Will a lender finance a private-party used car?

Yes — LightStream, PenFed, and Capital One Auto Navigator all do. The lender wires the seller directly. The seller needs to provide a clean title and (in most states) a signed bill of sale.

What's the max term for used cars?

Usually 72 months, but 84-month terms are increasingly available for newer used cars (under 4 years old).