Methodology · Auditable rubric
Auto Refinance methodology
Every refinance lender in our comparison stack is scored against the rubric below. Weights total 100% and apply equally to every lender we review.
Last reviewed:
The rubric — weighted
How we score and rank.
Each provider in our comparison stack is scored against the factors below. The factor weights sum to 100% and don't change based on which carrier or lender is being reviewed. Total weight: 100%.
APR delta vs. current loan
45%The single largest factor — the refinance pitch is APR reduction. Carriers are scored on the spread between their tier-by-tier rates and the borrower's existing loan APR. Larger spread = higher score.
Data source: Experian State of the Auto Finance Market, Q4 2025
Closing costs + total cost-of-money
20%Lender fees (application, title transfer, doc fees) plus any cash-out fees. The break-even calculation must clear inside 18 months for full credit.
Term structure
15%Whether the lender supports shorter remaining terms (so borrowers don't reset to 60/72 months and stretch interest). Lenders that default to the borrower's original remaining term score higher.
Approval breadth
10%Minimum FICO + LTV thresholds + support for vehicles 10+ years old. Refinance underwriting is materially tighter than new-purchase underwriting and we surface that gap.
Process speed
10%Days from application to funding. Refinance friction is the #1 abandonment driver; lenders under 5 business days score full credit.
Data source: Lender-published process timelines + Trustpilot reviews
How we audit ourselves
Three guardrails on every methodology change.
Source verification
Every weight reflects a published consumer-finance data source (NAIC, III, Bankrate, Experian, NCUA, FTC) cited inline on the calculator or comparison surface.
Audited rubric
Rubric weights are reviewed by editorial leadership at least quarterly. Changes are logged below and version-tagged in the data registry.
Independence guard
Affiliate compensation never influences the rubric. Disclosed on every page where it applies.
Change log
What's changed.
Raised APR-delta weight from 40% to 45%; lowered term-structure from 20% to 15% to reflect Q4 2025 buyer-research data showing rate sensitivity > term sensitivity.
Initial publication of the refinance rubric.