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Before taking a stroll across the showroom floor, you might want to think about how to secure the best possible deal on your next car. Auto loan prequalification and preapproval are two different ways to get a sense of what kind of financing you might be able to get from a potential lender before sealing the deal—or even going to the dealership. Sometimes, you may see the two terms used interchangeably. But they’re not identical, and it’s important to understand the similarities and differences between the two things.
Related: Smarter ways to get a car loan
What Does Preapproval Mean?
Auto loan preapproval is a way that you can find out from a potential lender what kind of offer it is likely to extend to you for a car loan. That includes the lender’s estimate of the amount of money it will be willing to provide. The offer is conditional and the terms are just estimates, but the preapproval is based on a thorough review of your finances.
In order to be preapproved, you typically have to provide information about your identity, address, income and employment status. And lenders will typically do a hard credit pull to verify your creditworthiness. If a lender preapproves you, typically you receive a letter from the lender listing the exact loan terms, interest rate, and the amount you can borrow. Preapprovals typically expire in 30 to 60 days, so it’s wise to request one only when you’re serious about buying your car soon.
Remember that getting preapproval does not mean that you have gotten the loan. You could still be refused or the terms could change, especially if your financial situation changes before you take out the loan—if, for instance, you lose your job.
What Does Prequalifying for a Car Loan Mean?
Auto loan prequalification is another way for a would-be borrower to determine whether they’re eligible to receive a loan from a lender. But prequalifying is typically less rigorous and has fewer requirements. If the lender does a credit check for prequalification, it will usually be a soft pull.
If you want to be prequalified for a car loan, you’ll likely be asked to provide your financial information to a lender or institution, which will often also do a soft credit check. Then, if you are prequalified, the lender will offer you an estimate of what you might receive. As with preapprovals, these numbers are not set in stone and can change before you purchase a car or you could even be denied the loan, especially if your information changes.
What Are the Benefits of Getting Preapproved?
There are several possible benefits to getting preapproved for a car loan:
1. It Can Reduce Purchasing Guesswork
Getting preapproved can make it easier to visualize the exact terms of a car loan, so you can have a firm budget in mind before you even start to shop. With a clear idea of how much you can spend, you can focus on vehicles that fall within that price range so you’re fully prepared when it’s time to start making monthly payments.
2. It May Create Negotiating Power
When you have a preapproval in hand, it lets dealers know you’re a creditworthy buyer who doesn’t have to be dependent on their financing. This may give you an extra bit of negotiating power, which can remove some of the stress from the car purchasing process. When you have a preapproval in hand, car salespeople may be less likely to try to pressure you into dealership financing options that cost more than you’re comfortable paying.
3. It Can Help You Avoid Upsells
When it’s time to sit down and sign the paperwork, having a preapproval letter can help you stave off unnecessary upsells and add-ons if you assert that you’re not willing to go over the preapproved amount. In some cases, the dealer might even try to beat the preapproval rate, helping you lock in a better deal.
How Do You Get Preapproved for a Car Loan?
If you’re wondering exactly how the car loan preapproval process works, here are some steps you’d typically take when you want to get preapproved:
1. Estimate Your Budget
Try to assess what you can afford to spend by way of down payment initially and then every month for your payments.
2. Review Your Credit Report
Before issuing a preapproval, lenders will typically review your credit history to see if they think you’re likely to repay the loan on time. In order to do this, the lender generally conducts a hard inquiry, which can have a direct impact on your credit score. It can be a good idea for you to review your credit report before meeting with a lender. That way, you can help ensure there are no unexpected issues. If any of the information on your report is incorrect, you can dispute it before the lender makes the credit inquiry.
3. Gather Information About Your Ability to Pay
Lenders will also typically want extensive personal and financial information to show that you’ll be able to afford the payments. It can be helpful to start pulling this information in advance so you’ll have it ready. Consider preparing the following:
- Proof of employment status
- W2s and any other income verification information
- Social security number
- Identifying documents, such as driver’s license, military ID, state ID or passport
- Proof of assets
4. Review Loan Preapproval Terms
You’ll want to be sure that the deal you’re offered meets your needs. Factors to examine can include:
- Loan amount. This is the total amount you can borrow. You can generally take out less money, if you so choose, since this may be more than you want to take out or may require higher monthly payments than you can make.
- Loan term: This is how long you will be paying the loan back.
- Interest rate and APR: This will let you know how much the loan is costing you.
- Monthly payments: This is how much you will have to pay the lender back each month.
5. Shop Around For the Best Loan Offer
Generally speaking, simply taking the first loan offer you receive is not the soundest borrowing strategy. Getting multiple car loan offers from a few different lenders can help you review and compare different loan features in-depth, helping you get a desirable rate with terms that stay within your budget.
6. Hit the Dealership Floor
Once you’ve received auto loan preapproval from multiple lenders, it’s time to take the best offer to the showroom and start shopping around. Since most preapprovals expire within 30-60 days, it’s wise to apply for preapprovals within a short period of time and then get to the dealership sooner rather than later.
What Are the Benefits of Getting Prequalified?
Prequalification is a way to get a better idea about your odds of approval and the loan terms you might be likely to get before you submit a loan application. Some of the other benefits of getting prequalified can include the following.
1. You Get a Take on What You Qualify for
Getting prequalified may be less intensive than getting preapproved, but it still paints a pretty detailed picture of how creditworthy you look to a lender. Seeing what responses you get from potential lenders can give you a good sense of what kind of loan you’re likely to be offered.
2. It Gives You a Sense of Your Budget Limits
Going through the prequalification process may not give you a definitive loan offer, but it can help you estimate how much loan you’re likely to get and how much you can expect to pay in monthly payments before you even enter the dealership.
How Do You Get Prequalified?
The process of getting prequalified for a loan is somewhat similar to getting preapproved for a loan, though typically a little less rigorous. Here are a few steps you might typically take.
1. Determine Your Budget
As with preapproval, the first step in the prequalification process is figuring out a budget that fits your financial goals so there are no surprises after you drive off the lot.
2. Gather Information for Lenders
Your potential lender will likely want to know about your identity, income, employment status, and current debt obligations. Having things like your social security number, ID, proof of income, and housing payment info handy can be helpful. In most cases, it will also make a soft credit pull, so if you have concerns about your credit you may want to look at your credit report prior to contacting a potential lender.
3. Pay Close Attention to the Loan Terms
Prequalification isn’t considered a guarantee of loan approval. So this is a good time to scour the loan terms—before any formal agreement. Here are some figures to review in detail:
- Loan amount: How much you can borrow from the lender
- Loan term: How long you’ll have to repay the loan
- Interest rate and APR: How much you’ll pay the lender to finance the loan each month, and what fees and other costs might be involved
- Monthly payments: Your minimum monthly payment over the loan’s lifespan.
Prospective car buyers don’t necessarily have to choose between prequalification and preapproval. Prequalification can be an initial step when you’re at the browsing stage. But when you get serious about your car purchase, you may want to get preapproved. Bear in mind that, unlike prequalification, preapproval typically requires a hard credit pull, which can have a negative impact on your credit, so you don’t want to take it lightly. But it can also signal to car dealers that you are a serious buyer—and that you’re not reliant on the dealership for funding.
The Takeaway
Regardless of whether you opt for applying for a prequalification or preapproval for a car loan—or end up doing both sequentially—you may be able to use the processes to your benefit. Both options can potentially help you develop a budget before you begin shopping seriously. Just remember that asking for a preapproval serves as a more formal declaration that you intend to buy a car (and takes more work), while getting a prequalification is a more casual request for an estimate of what a lender could offer you.
Learn more:
This article originally appeared on LanternCredit.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
Lantern by SoFi:
This Lantern website is owned by SoFi Lending Corp., a lender licensed by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the California Financing Law, license number 6054612; NMLS number 1121636. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). All rates, fees, and terms are presented without guarantee and are subject to change pursuant to each provider’s discretion. There is no guarantee you will be approved or qualify for the advertised rates, fees, or terms presented. The actual terms you may receive depends on the things like benefits requested, your credit score, usage, history and other factors.
*Check your rate: To check the rates and terms you qualify for, Lantern conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, the lender(s) you choose will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit. All loan terms, including interest rate, and Annual Percentage Rate (APR), and monthly payments shown on this website are from lenders and are estimates based upon the limited information you provided and are for information purposes only. Estimated APR includes all applicable fees as required under the Truth in Lending Act. The actual loan terms you receive, including APR, will depend on the lender you select, their underwriting criteria, and your personal financial factors. The loan terms and rates presented are provided by the lenders and not by SoFi Lending Corp. or Lantern. Please review each lender’s Terms and Conditions for additional details.
Personal Loan: SoFi Lending Corp. (“SoFi”) operates this Personal Loan product in cooperation with Even Financial Corp. (“Even”). If you submit a loan inquiry, SoFi will deliver your information to Even, and Even will deliver to its network of lenders/partners to review to determine if you are eligible for pre-qualified or pre-approved offers. The lenders/partners receiving your information will also obtain your credit information from a credit reporting agency. If you meet one or more lender’s and/or partner’s conditions for eligibility, pre-qualified and pre-approved offers from one or more lenders/partners will be presented to you here on the Lantern website. More information about Even, the process, and its lenders/partners is described on the loan inquiry form you will reach by visiting our Personal Loans page as well as our Student Loan Refinance page. Click to learn more about Even’s Licenses and Disclosures, Terms of Service, and Privacy Policy.
Student Loan Refinance: SoFi Lending Corp. (“SoFi”) operates this Student Loan Refinance product in cooperation with Even Financial Corp. (“Even”). If you submit a loan inquiry, SoFi will deliver your information to Even, and Even will deliver to its network of lenders/partners to review to determine if you are eligible for pre-qualified or pre-approved offers. The lender’s receiving your information will also obtain your credit information from a credit reporting agency. If you meet one or more lender’s and/or partner’s conditions for eligibility, pre-qualified and pre-approved offers from one or more lenders/partners will be presented to you here on the Lantern website. More information about Even, the process, and its lenders/partners is described on the loan inquiry form you will reach by visiting our Personal Loans page as well as our Student Loan Refinance page. Click to learn more about Even’s Licenses and Disclosures, Terms of Service, and Privacy Policy.
Student loan refinance loans offered through Lantern are private loans and do not have the debt forgiveness or repayment options that the federal loan program offers, or that may become available, including Income Based Repayment or Income Contingent Repayment or Pay as you Earn (PAYE).
Notice: Recent legislative changes have suspended all federal student loan payments and waived interest charges on federally held loans until 01/31/22. Please carefully consider these changes before refinancing federally held loans, as in doing so you will no longer qualify for these changes or other future benefits applicable to federally held loans.
Auto Loan Refinance: Automobile refinancing loan information presented on this Lantern website is from Caribou. Auto loan refinance information presented on this Lantern site is indicative and subject to you fulfilling the lender’s requirements, including: you must meet the lender’s credit standards, the loan amount must be at least $10,000, and the vehicle is no more than 10 years old with odometer reading of no more than 125,000 miles. Loan rates and terms as presented on this Lantern site are subject to change when you reach the lender and may depend on your creditworthiness. Additional terms and conditions may apply and all terms may vary by your state of residence.
Secured Lending Disclosure: Terms, conditions, state restrictions, and minimum loan amounts apply. Before you apply for a secured loan, we encourage you to carefully consider whether this loan type is the right choice for you. If you can’t make your payments on a secured personal loan, you could end up losing the assets you provided for collateral. Not all applicants will qualify for larger loan amounts or most favorable loan terms. Loan approval and actual loan terms depend on the ability to meet underwriting requirements (including, but not limited to, a responsible credit history, sufficient income after monthly expenses, and availability of collateral) that will vary by lender.
Life Insurance: Information about insurance is provided on Lantern by SoFi Life Insurance Agency, LLC. Click here to view our licenses.
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How to refinance an auto loan
In times of lower interest rates, you may start to wonder about whether you should refinance your auto loan. And why not? According to 2020 data from RateGenius, money saved with a new auto loan is at an all-time high. Auto loan refinancing deals saved borrowers $989.72, on average, in 2020.
With that much cash up for grabs, it’s no wonder that auto refinancing loans are in big demand. Key strategies for auto owners who want a good refinance loan experience include being prepared and making sure to understand all the details. Read on for information that may help.
phototechno/ istockphoto
When you refinance an auto loan, you’re essentially securing a new auto loan. You use the new loan to pay down the balance of the original car loan. That all takes time, effort and money (for loan applications and servicing fees). That’s why you should be sure you have a good reason before you go to the trouble of taking out an auto refinancing loan.
So when should you refinance your auto loan? The fact is that vehicle owners refinance their auto loans for a variety of reasons that can all be worthwhile, depending on the situation. Most often, car owners refinance their loans to achieve the following personal financial goals, such as:
- To Lower Monthly Auto Loan Payments: Getting a new auto loan at a reduced interest rate can cut monthly payments down, leaving more cash in the till for other household expenses.
- To Get a Lower Interest Rate: Depending on the loan, a car owner may also be able to save money over the lifetime of the loan by getting a reduced interest rate. Take a vehicle for which the original loan was $25,000 and the refinance loan is $21,000. For a 60-month loan where the interest rate is cut from 7% to 5%, for example, the refinancing could save approximately $6,000 over the life of the loan.
- To Shorten the Loan Term: Car owners who are cash flush may shorten their loan terms to pay off the car faster, thus saving significant cash with lower interest rate payments.
- To Extend the Loan Term: Car owners who need some financial breathing room after a job loss, an injury or illness, or a divorce or other issue can extend the term of the loan to reduce monthly (but not overall) loan costs.
- To Get Some Extra Cash: If you have enough equity in your car, you might be able to take out a refinance loan that’s more than what you owe. That way you could get cash in hand, too. This is called a cash out car refinance. But realize that if you opt for this kind of refinancing, you will still have to pay back both the car loan and the extra money.
Also recommended: If you’re new to the world of auto finance, learning some auto loan terminology may help.
istockphoto/demaerre
Where does a borrower start with the auto loan refinancing process? Ideally, with a good grip on what a refinancing deal has to offer. Auto loan consumers are best off when they fully understand the entire refinancing. It can help to make sure you have answers to these questions:
- Do you meet the lender’s financial requirements? While each bank or lender has its own rules and regulations on auto refinancing, many banks have similar lending limits. For example, your auto usually must be less than 10 years old and have less than 125,000 miles on it. While the exact figures may vary from lender to lender, know possible vehicle restrictions heading into any refinancing deal.
- Are there any prepayment penalties? It’s usually a good idea to pay off an auto loan as soon as possible. Doing so clears the debt and puts more money in your pocket. However, some financial institutions may stick you with a prepayment penalty if you pay off the loan early. Be sure to examine your existing loan contract for any prepayment penalties and factor them into your costs.
- Do you know the total cost? Before green-lighting an auto loan refinancing deal, you need to know the full cost of refinancing the car. Make sure you know how much you’ll save per month and, even more importantly, over the life of the loan. When you refinance, you may be saving money on a monthly basis but adding more dollars to the overall cost of the vehicle. You’ll want to be sure you’re factoring any fees or penalties, too. A good auto loan refi calculator can be highly useful here.
- What’s your credit score? Most lenders will expect a minimum credit score from potential borrowers. Typically, a FICO credit score of 700 or more will get you the lowest loan rates on an auto refinancing loan. That said, a FICO score of 660 should ensure that you qualify for a standard auto loan refinancing deal.
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With that prep work complete, now it’s time to figure out the best path to a good auto refinance loan. Get the job done right with these action steps.
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Start the auto loan refinancing process with some data-gathering. To file a loan application, you’ll typically need these documents:
- Your original auto loan: Lending institutions will require the original loan paperwork to process a new loan. The original loan paperwork should include the loan amount, the monthly payment, the interest rate, the payoff number and the up-to-date loan balance
- Your vehicle information: Auto loan providers will also ask for your current vehicle information (think a Carfax for your own vehicle.) This document should include the vehicle’s make, model, year, mileage and vehicle identification number.
- Your auto insurance paperwork: Make sure you have your car insurance records, including type of insurance and the amount of the insurance included in the policy. Auto lenders won’t make a loan to an uninsured or significantly underinsured vehicle owner. That’s because the lender has a stake in the vehicle as well. If the car is damaged or totaled, your lender will want to know it was properly insured.
- Your employment records: Your auto loan refinancing lender may also ask for proof of income and employment, to ensure you have the means to repay the loan.
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Kick off your auto loan refinancing deal by listing what you want from the loan, such as a lower interest rate, no or low fees, a streamlined application process, and solid customer service. Having a candid conversation with your current financial institution is also a good step to take since it may give you an idea of what kinds of loans you could qualify for. And as you look for refinancing loans, remember that you may also want to explore online auto loan refinancing options since they tend to have fewer fees and competitive rates.
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When you’ve found the loan you want, follow the instructions to apply. A typical auto refinancing loan application likely includes the following:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Email address and phone number
- Address
- Social Security number
- Driver’s license number
- Work status
- Your bank’s name, address, routing number and checking account number (so the lender can deposit your loan amount, assuming it is not your bank)
- Your vehicle information
- Your auto insurance information
Once you complete the application, review it thoroughly to confirm that the information is accurate and up to date. Any discrepancies or missing information may lead to a loan rejection. And know that the lender will likely perform a credit check.
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Once your application is approved, your new auto loan provider will pay off your old auto loan or give you the funds to do so, and become your auto loan manager. Future payments will go to the lender who handles your refinanced loan. It is, however, a good idea to confirm with your original lender that the auto loan was paid off and you don’t owe any more payments. After that, be sure you pay the new loan on time and start enjoying the savings from your refinanced auto loan.
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Whether you simply want to get an auto loan with more favorable terms or you’re looking to adjust your car loan repayment period, refinancing your auto loan allows you to take advantage of lower rates, put more cash in your pocket, and get a loan that meets your unique personal financial needs. Handled correctly, refinanced auto loans can be a big win-win for vehicle owners, who can gain an auto loan with better terms and potentially save money in the process.
Learn more:
This article originally appeared on LanternCredit.comand was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
Lantern by SoFi:
This Lantern website is owned by SoFi Lending Corp., a lender licensed by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the California Financing Law, license number 6054612; NMLS number 1121636. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org)
All rates, fees, and terms are presented without guarantee and are subject to change pursuant to each provider’s discretion. There is no guarantee you will be approved or qualify for the advertised rates, fees, or terms presented. The actual terms you may receive depends on the things like benefits requested, your credit score, usage, history and other factors.
*Check your rate: To check the rates and terms you qualify for, Lantern conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, the lender(s) you choose will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.
All loan terms, including interest rate, and Annual Percentage Rate (APR), and monthly payments shown on this website are from lenders and are estimates based upon the limited information you provided and are for information purposes only. Estimated APR includes all applicable fees as required under the Truth in Lending Act. The actual loan terms you receive, including APR, will depend on the lender you select, their underwriting criteria, and your personal financial factors. The loan terms and rates presented are provided by the lenders and not by SoFi Lending Corp. or Lantern. Please review each lender’s Terms and Conditions for additional details.
Personal Loan:
SoFi Lending Corp. (“SoFi”) operates this Personal Loan product in cooperation with Even Financial Corp. (“Even”). If you submit a loan inquiry, SoFi will deliver your information to Even, and Even will deliver to its network of lenders/partners to review to determine if you are eligible for pre-qualified or pre-approved offers. The lenders/partners receiving your information will also obtain your credit information from a credit reporting agency. If you meet one or more lender’s and/or partner’s conditions for eligibility, pre-qualified and pre-approved offers from one or more lenders/partners will be presented to you here on the Lantern website.
More information about Even, the process, and its lenders/partners is described on the loan inquiry form you will reach by visiting our Personal Loans page as well as our Student Loan Refinance page. Click to learn more about Even’s Licenses and Disclosures, Terms of Service, and Privacy Policy.
Student Loan Refinance:
SoFi Lending Corp. (“SoFi”) operates this Student Loan Refinance product in cooperation with Even Financial Corp. (“Even”). If you submit a loan inquiry, SoFi will deliver your information to Even, and Even will deliver to its network of lenders/partners to review to determine if you are eligible for pre-qualified or pre-approved offers. The lender’s receiving your information will also obtain your credit information from a credit reporting agency. If you meet one or more lender’s and/or partner’s conditions for eligibility, pre-qualified and pre-approved offers from one or more lenders/partners will be presented to you here on the Lantern website.
More information about Even, the process, and its lenders/partners is described on the loan inquiry form you will reach by visiting our Personal Loans page as well as our Student Loan Refinance page. Click to learn more about Even’s Licenses and Disclosures, Terms of Service, and Privacy Policy.
Student loan refinance loans offered through Lantern are private loans and do not have the debt forgiveness or repayment options that the federal loan program offers, or that may become available, including Income Based Repayment or Income Contingent Repayment or Pay as you Earn (PAYE).
Notice: Recent legislative changes have suspended all federal student loan payments and waived interest charges on federally held loans until 09/30/21. Please carefully consider these changes before refinancing federally held loans, as in doing so you will no longer qualify for these changes or other future benefits applicable to federally held loans.
Auto Loan Refinance:
Automobile refinancing loan information presented on this Lantern website is from MotoRefi. Auto loan refinance information presented on this Lantern site is indicative and subject to you fulfilling the lender’s requirements, including: you must meet the lender’s credit standards, the loan amount must be at least $10,000, and the vehicle is no more than 10 years old with odometer reading of no more than 125,000 miles. Loan rates and terms as presented on this Lantern site are subject to change when you reach the lender and may depend on your creditworthiness. Additional terms and conditions may apply and all terms may vary by your state of residence.
Secured Lending Disclosure:
Terms, conditions, state restrictions, and minimum loan amounts apply. Before you apply for a secured loan, we encourage you to carefully consider whether this loan type is the right choice for you. If you can’t make your payments on a secured personal loan, you could end up losing the assets you provided for collateral. Not all applicants will qualify for larger loan amounts or most favorable loan terms. Loan approval and actual loan terms depend on the ability to meet underwriting requirements (including, but not limited to, a responsible credit history, sufficient income after monthly expenses, and availability of collateral) that will vary by lender.
Life Insurance:
Information about insurance is provided on Lantern by SoFi Life Insurance Agency, LLC.
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Featured Image Credit: Burhanuddin Helmi/istock.
