AutoPay
Best marketplace
4.7
- APR
- 5.69–17.99%
- Min. credit
- 580+
- Loan amount
- $5K–$100K
- Term
- 24–84 mo
Best of 2026 · Subprime
Best Auto Loans for Bad Credit in 2026
If your FICO is between 580 and 620, dealer F&I rooms will quote you 18–24% APR. The lenders below routinely come in at 9–14% APR with soft-pull pre-qualification — meaning you can compare offers without a single point of damage to your credit.
Rates as of May 23, 2026
Top auto loans for bad credit
Live APR ranges, refreshed regularly. Soft-pull pre-qualification available at most lenders below.
| Lender | APR | Min. credit | Loan amount | Term | Rated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AutoPay Best marketplace | 5.69–17.99% | 580+ | $5K–$100K | 24–84 mo | 4.7 | |
PenFed Credit Union Best credit union | 5.24–17.99% | 610+ | $500–$150K | 36–84 mo | 4.6 | |
Capital One Auto Navigator Best soft-pull pre-qual | 6.99–22.90% | 540+ | $4K–$75K | 36–75 mo | 4.5 |
PenFed Credit Union
Best credit union
4.6
- APR
- 5.24–17.99%
- Min. credit
- 610+
- Loan amount
- $500–$150K
- Term
- 36–84 mo
Capital One Auto Navigator
Best soft-pull pre-qual
4.5
- APR
- 6.99–22.90%
- Min. credit
- 540+
- Loan amount
- $4K–$75K
- Term
- 36–75 mo
APR ranges are sourced from each lender's public site and are updated regularly. Your actual rate depends on credit history, loan amount, vehicle, and state. CarSavr may earn a commission when you apply through our links — it never affects how we rank lenders.
How we ranked these
Our methodology for subprime borrowers (FICO 580–620)
- Subprime tolerance
Approves at FICO 580–620 without requiring a co-signer.
- Rate transparency
Published APR ranges, soft-pull pre-qualification available.
- No dealer markup
Direct lender or pre-approval marketplace (you bring the letter to the dealer).
- Refi-friendly
Allows refinancing the loan within 6–12 months without prepayment penalty.
Keep reading
Frequently asked questions
What credit score do I need for an auto loan?
Most lenders below approve at FICO 580+. Below 580 you'll typically be quoted 18–24% APR or routed to a Buy-Here-Pay-Here dealer — avoid the latter at all costs.
Will applying hurt my credit?
Pre-qualification is a soft pull (no impact). Only the final application is a hard pull, which dings your FICO by 3–5 points for 12 months. Multiple hard pulls within a 14-day window count as a single inquiry per FICO scoring.
Can I refinance a subprime loan later?
Yes. After 6–12 months of on-time payments your FICO typically jumps 30–60 points. That's enough to refinance to a 4–8 percentage point lower APR — savings often exceed $3,000 on the same loan.
Should I get a co-signer?
A co-signer with 700+ FICO can cut your APR by 3–6 points, but they're legally liable for the full balance if you default. Only ask if you're certain you can make every payment for the full term.