Auto Refinance Credit Score Requirements (By Lender)

Minimum FICO by lender (2026)

LightStream: 660+. Autopay: 580+. MyAutoLoan: 575+. Caribou: 580+. PenFed: 610+. Capital One: 540+. Bank of America: 600+. Navy Federal (military): no published minimum.

What 'minimum' actually means

Meeting the minimum gets you in the door, but the RATE you're offered is tied to your tier above the minimum. Example: LightStream at 660 might offer 12% APR; LightStream at 760 offers 6%. The same lender, twice the rate gap.

Soft-pull pre-qual lenders

If your score is below 660 and you want to shop without dings, prioritize: Autopay, Caribou, Capital One, and MyAutoLoan. All four pre-qualify with a soft pull and only convert to hard after acceptance.

When to wait vs. apply now

If your score has improved 50+ points in the last 12 months, your rate quote will reflect the new tier. Don't wait for a 'better' score that isn't coming — most borrowers' scores plateau within 18 months of major credit changes. Run the soft-pull pre-qual today; refinance when the savings justify it.

Frequently asked questions

Can I refinance with bad credit?

Yes — Capital One (540+) and Autopay (580+) accept subprime. Expect APRs of 11–18%. If your current rate is 22%+, even subprime refi saves money. If it's already in the 10s, the math gets thinner.

Does refinancing hurt my credit score?

Short-term: a small dip from the hard inquiry (5–15 points, recovers in 90 days). Long-term: no — refinancing is treated as a refi, not a new credit account.