Capital One auto loans review
- Min. Loan Amount
- $4,000
- Max. Loan Amount
- $40,000
- APR
- Starting at 3.24%
Our verdict
Midsize loans for current customers of this national bank.
Capital One offers standard auto loans for borrowers with current accounts. Provided you aren't shopping for anything too expensive — and are willing to work with one of its dealerships — you may be able to find a good loan for your next car.
But Capital One doesn't have the best history of customer service. It also doesn't provide much information about its rates, which could make it hard to compare with other lenders.
Consider more auto loan options to see what you could afford before you shop at a dealerships.
Pros
-
Coapplicants accepted
-
Auto Navigator helps compare rates by car
-
Standard 30-day preapproval
-
Finance as little as $4,000
Cons
-
Not transparent about potential rates
-
Poor customer reviews
-
Must shop at participating dealerships
-
Must have existing Capital One account
Details
Product details
| Min. Loan Amount | $4,000 |
| Max. Loan Amount | $40,000 |
| APR | Starting at 3.24% |
| Interest Rate Type | Variable |
| Requirements | Valid street address, existing Capital One account in good standing, buying 2009 model or newer with less than 120,000 miles |
Capital One reviews and complaints
| BBB accredited | Yes |
|---|---|
| BBB rating | A |
| BBB customer reviews | 1.14 out of 5 stars, based on 493 customer reviews |
| BBB customer complaints | 7,116 customer complaints |
| Trustpilot Score | 1.4 out of 5 stars, based on 410 customer reviews |
| Customer reviews verified as of | 16 October 2020 |
Because Capital One is mainly known for its credit card offers, there isn’t much online about its car loans. However, users on its Trustpilot and the BBB pages have noted that the customer service department is slow to respond to claims.
Other borrowers have had more positive experiences, especially those who have filed for bankruptcy in the past or have faced bad financial situations. They state the application is easy to fill out and the car finder available on the website has helped them pick out the right car with a low interest rate.
How Capital One compares to other lenders
Capital One rates, fees and terms
Capital One rates start at 3.24% APR for borrowers with excellent credit. However the rate you get can be affected by factors such as your credit score, credit history, debt-to-income ratio — as well as the type of car you choose. It isn’t clear what fees you could be charged or the maximum APR it offers.
But unlike many lenders, it’s upfront about the amount you can borrow. You can finance as little as $4,000 through Capital One, and loan terms last anywhere from 36 to 72 months.
What types of car loans does Capital One offer?
Capital One offers three loan options:
- New car loan. Provided your chosen vehicle costs between $4,000 and $40,000, you can use a Capital One car loan to finance your purchase.
- Used car loan. Your vehicle must be a 2010 model or newer with less than 120,000 miles. However, there are cases where Capital One will finance a 2008 model with less than 150,000 miles.
- Auto refinancing. Capital One allows you to refinance vehicles that have resale value and are seven years old or newer.
Capital One requirements
Capital One has a few basic requirements for borrowers and the vehicles it finances.
Personal requirements
- Must finance at least $4,000
- Minimum monthly income of $1,500 or $1,800, depending on credit score
- Existing Capital One accounts in good standing
- At least 18 years old
Vehicle requirements
- Vehicle intended for personal use
- 2010 model year
- Fewer than 120,000 miles
- Available at a participating dealership
How the application works
Capital One allows you to apply as an individual or with a coapplicant. To get prequalified, you’ll need to submit some information about yourself and your finances, including your income and Social Security number.
If you’re prequalified, you can use your finances to shop at participating dealerships for up to 30 days. The dealership will present you with a final loan contract.
How do repayments work?
Although the dealership you buy from will be the primary lien holder on your vehicle, Capital One will still service your loan. To make a repayment, you can log in to your Capital One account online or through its mobile app. From there, you can schedule a one-time payment or set up recurring payments. If needed, you can also change your due date — but it isn’t clear how many times you can do this.
You can also make payments by mailing a cashier’s check, money order or personal check to Capital One or by sending a payment through Western Union or MoneyGram.
What sets it apart
Capital One is known for its credit card options, but the company also offers tools to help you find and finance your next vehicle. Not only can you filter your search by dealer and car, but loan terms could include the price of the car as well as the tax, title and other relevant fees, lowering your total out-of-pocket cost.
Not all dealerships work with Capital One — and if you don’t already have an account, you won’t be able to apply. You can compare more car loan options to see what other rates you might qualify for.
Car loan ratings
★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
We rate car loan providers on a scale of 1 to 5 stars based on factors like transparency, costs and customer experience. We don’t take into account elements like eligibility criteria, state availability or payment frequency — we save that for our reviews.
Read the full methodology of how we rate car loan providers to get a better picture of what goes into each star rating.
Capital One Auto Financing is not currently available on Finder
Have you considered LightStream Auto Loans?
Quick car loans from $5,000 to $100,000 with competitive rates for borrowers with strong credit.
- Same-day funding
- Up to 100% financing
- No restrictions to age or mileage
- Secured and unsecured options
- Competitive rates
Frequently asked questions
Your reviews
Kellye Finder
Writer
Hi there, looking for more information? Ask us a question.
You are about to post a question on finder.com:
- Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
- finder.com is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
- We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
- Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked
Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our finder.com Terms of Use and Privacy and Cookies Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Anndy Finder
October 14, 2018
Hi Jerry,
Thanks for your question.
Capital One does not offer financing for borrowers who are buying from private party sellers. However, we do have a list of car lenders who may be able to lend you money to buy the car you desire.
In our comparison table, please enter your credit score range and your state so you’ll be able to check the lenders that meet your criteria. Before you make a decision, kindly review the relevant product disclosure statement and eligibility criteria of the loan. Most of these lenders do not directly advertise their availability if you are buying from a private seller so it would be best if you contact them directly to confirm.
I hope this helps Jerry.
Cheers,
Anndy
Show more Show less
Jerry
October 10, 2018
Can I get a auto loan if you are buying the car privately