The Zebra
Compare 100+ insurers
Reviewed today
- APR
- Varies
- Min. credit
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Used car loans
Used car. New financing strategy.
Used-car APRs run 1–2 points above new-car rates because of resale uncertainty. The lenders below specialize in used vehicles and price them fairly.
Most buyers focus on the sticker price and ignore the loan — then end up paying $3,000+ extra in interest. Pre-approval from a competing lender is the single most valuable thing you can bring to a used-car negotiation. The dealer's financing is usually a markup; bring your own offer.
Used APRs from 5.69%
Top-tier credit on a 48-month used loan starts around 5.7%. Subprime tiers (580–659) typically see 12–18% — refinance within 6 months once you've established payment history.
Mileage / age caps
Most national lenders cap eligibility at 10 years old / 100,000 miles. For older or higher-mileage cars, check credit unions and specialty subprime lenders.
Avoid Buy-Here-Pay-Here
BHPH dealers charge 22–29% APR on cars marked up 40–60%. If your only option is BHPH, plan to refinance within 6 months — every month of on-time payments rebuilds eligibility for real lenders.
Top lenders we've audited.
Real APR ranges, soft-pull pre-qualification, no spam. Click a row to expand our editorial review of each lender.
Rates as of May 24, 2026
Today's rates
| Lender | APR | Min. credit | Loan amount | Term | Rated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Zebra Compare 100+ insurers | Varies | — | — | — | Reviewed today | |
AutoPay Best refi marketplace | 4.99–17.99% | 560+ | $5K–$100K | 24–96 mo | Reviewed today | |
LightStream Best for excellent credit | 6.94–14.94% | 660+ | $5K–$100K | 24–84 mo | Reviewed today | |
LendingTree Insurance Best multi-quote tool | Varies | — | — | — | Reviewed today | |
Caribou Best for subprime refi | 5.49–17.99% | 580+ | $8K–$80K | 24–84 mo | Reviewed today | |
AutoPay Best marketplace | 5.69–17.99% | 580+ | $5K–$100K | 24–84 mo | Reviewed today | |
PenFed Credit Union Best credit union | 5.24–17.99% | 610+ | $500–$150K | 36–84 mo | Reviewed today | |
LightStream Best for prime refi | 6.49–13.74% | 660+ | $5K–$100K | 24–84 mo | Reviewed today | |
PenFed Credit Union Best credit union refi | 5.24–17.99% | 610+ | $500–$150K | 36–84 mo | Reviewed today | |
Capital One Auto Navigator Best soft-pull pre-qual | 6.99–22.90% | 540+ | $4K–$75K | 36–75 mo | Reviewed today |
AutoPay
Best refi marketplace
Reviewed today
- APR
- 4.99–17.99%
- Min. credit
- 560+
- Loan amount
- $5K–$100K
- Term
- 24–96 mo
LightStream
Best for excellent credit
Reviewed today
- APR
- 6.94–14.94%
- Min. credit
- 660+
- Loan amount
- $5K–$100K
- Term
- 24–84 mo
LendingTree Insurance
Best multi-quote tool
Reviewed today
- APR
- Varies
- Min. credit
- —
- Loan amount
- —
- Term
- —
Caribou
Best for subprime refi
Reviewed today
- APR
- 5.49–17.99%
- Min. credit
- 580+
- Loan amount
- $8K–$80K
- Term
- 24–84 mo
AutoPay
Best marketplace
Reviewed today
- APR
- 5.69–17.99%
- Min. credit
- 580+
- Loan amount
- $5K–$100K
- Term
- 24–84 mo
PenFed Credit Union
Best credit union
Reviewed today
- APR
- 5.24–17.99%
- Min. credit
- 610+
- Loan amount
- $500–$150K
- Term
- 36–84 mo
LightStream
Best for prime refi
Reviewed today
- APR
- 6.49–13.74%
- Min. credit
- 660+
- Loan amount
- $5K–$100K
- Term
- 24–84 mo
PenFed Credit Union
Best credit union refi
Reviewed today
- 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
Reviewed today
- 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.
Frequently asked
Why are used car loan APRs higher than new?+
Lenders price for resale risk. A 5-year-old used car has less predictable resale value than a new vehicle backed by manufacturer warranty + dealer service history. Expect a 1–2 percentage point premium across all credit tiers.
What's the oldest car most lenders will finance?+
10 years / 100,000 miles is the standard cap at national lenders. Credit unions are often more flexible (15 years / 150,000 miles is common). Classic/antique cars need specialty insurers AND specialty lenders.
Can I finance a private-party used car?+
Yes — LightStream is the cleanest path; their auto loan can be used for private-party purchases. Most other national lenders require dealer-sourced inventory. Credit unions also tend to allow private-party.
Is a CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) loan worth it?+
CPO programs sometimes qualify for new-car APRs since they carry manufacturer warranties. Worth asking — could be a 1–2pt discount vs. standard used financing.
Compare APRs without hurting your credit.
All four of our top lenders pre-qualify with a soft credit pull. You'll know your rate in under 60 seconds.