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Online car loan quotes

Compare rates and terms to find the best offer out there.

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By

Matt Corke

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Fact checked

Getting car loan quotes online can help you compare rates and terms to find the best deal out there. And since many providers rely on a soft credit pull, your credit score likely won't take a hit.

1 - 4 of 4
Updated regularly
Name Product Filter Values Minimum credit score APR Loan term Requirements
LightStream Auto Loans
LightStream Auto Loans
Good to excellent credit
Competitive
2 to 7 years
Must have a good to excellent credit profile, be a US citizen or a permanent resident with a valid green card, have a valid Social Security number, credit card verification requested upon loan approval and have a valid US address.
Quick car loans from $5,000 to $100,000 with competitive rates for borrowers with strong credit.
Go to siteMore Info
CarGurus
CarGurus
Varies
Varies depending on the lender
3 to 6 years
Varies depending on the lender
Go to site
CarsDirect auto loans
CarsDirect auto loans
No minimum credit score
Varies by network lender
Must provide proof of income, proof of residence, and proof of insurance.
Save time and effort with this lending service specializing in beginner-friendly or subprime car loan.
Go to siteMore Info
Carvana
Carvana
No minimum credit score
3.9% to 27.9%
1 to 6 years
18+ years old, annual income of $4,000+, no active bankruptcies
Get pre-qualified for used car financing and receive competitive, personalized rates.
Go to siteMore Info
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Why should I get car loan quotes online?

Comparing quotes online can give you an idea of how much you’ll need to pay each month for the car you’re interested in. It can also give you an upper hand when it comes to negotiating a better rate at the dealership since you already know what rates and terms you might qualify for.

In some cases, you may also be able to negotiate a better price on the car you’re interested in if you have financing ready to go — though it depends on the seller.

How to get a car loan quote online

To get a quote, click the Go to site button in the table above of the lender you’re interested in and follow the onscreen prompts. You’ll need to provide:

  • Car details. This includes the make, model, year, condition, price and where you’re buying it.
  • Financial details. This includes the loan amount and term you need, down payment you plan to use, your income and expenses and any other relevant financial information.
  • Personal details. This includes your full name, address, Social Security number and contact details.

Once you’re done filling in all of the requested information, submit your quote and wait for a response. Some lenders will respond almost immediately, while others may take a few days.

Will getting several car loan quotes online hurt my credit?

Probably not, since many lenders conduct a soft credit pull after you fill out a prequalification form, which doesn’t affect your score.

But submitting a full car loan application will cause the lender to conduct a hard credit check that temporarily lowers your score. However, many credit scoring models consider multiple inquiries for the same type of loan within a short period of time as a single inquiry. This means that rate shopping likely won’t hurt your credit score any more than applying for a single loan.

How to use a quote to make a decision

The main aim of getting quotes is to find a lender that fits your needs. It’s generally a good idea to compare quotes from at least three lenders before you settle on one. Key considerations to look out for are interest rates, loan terms and any fees you’ll be on the hook for.

You can then use our car loan monthly payment calculator to figure out exactly how much each loan will cost you in the long run.

Pros and cons of online car loan quotes

Pros

  • Convenient. You don’t have to move from one financial institution to another looking for quotes. All you have to do is provide the information required online and have your quote delivered to your inbox.
  • Easy budgeting. Online car loan quotes can help you start preparing early since you get an idea of what you’ll be required to pay for the loan on a monthly basis and in the long run.
  • Better decision making. By comparing quotes, you’re able to make an informed decision on the most suitable car loan provider for you.

Cons

  • Can be overwhelming. There are lots of car loan providers that offer online quotes, which can be overwhelming to sift through.
  • Potential to sign with a bad lender. There are less-than-reputable lenders online that prey on borrowers by offering cheap quotes. If you think a quote is too good to be true, it probably is.

3 things to avoid when getting a quote online

Ready to start getting quotes online? Avoid these three things:

  • Giving false information. All information you provide should be true and honest. Providing false details could cause a lender to disqualify your application.
  • Underpricing your car. Don’t get a quote for significantly less than the cost of the car you intend to buy. If you get a quote for a loan that’s the wrong amount, you won’t know how much you’ll need to pay each month — or if you’ll get approved for the actual amount you need.
  • Settling. Don’t settle for the first quote you get — compare multiple lenders to find the best deal for you.

Bottom line

Comparing multiple car loan quotes online can help you get a competitive deal when financing a car. You can find even more lenders to consider and learn more about how it all works with our guide to car loans.

Frequently asked questions

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Written by

Head of publishing and editorial

Matt Corke is Finder’s head of publishing ventures. Prior to this he was head of publishing for Australia, New Zealand and emerging markets. Matt built his first website in 1999 and has been building computers since he was in his early teens. In that time, he has survived the dot-com crash and countless Google algorithm updates. See full bio

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