5 Tips to Qualify for Great Deals on Car Loans

Number of factors contributes to obtaining the best auto loan for your new or used vehicle. The process of applying for auto financing can be quite overwhelming, but doing your research before entering a car dealership really has its benefits.

Tip #1: Determine Your Credit Rating

Before beginning to apply for your car loan, it important to get your credit report and score to ensure you are getting a fair interest rate. Annualcreditreport.com offers a free copy of your credit report. There are other sites too which you can use to get your first credit report at no cost. On some sites, you may have to pay a small fee to receive your actual credit score, but it is well worth it. Your credit score determines the rate of your loan.

Tip #2: Apply, Apply, Apply, and then Apply

Applying for auto financing through many different sources can help you obtain the best rate for your loan. Places to shop for car financing include: Local banks, credit unions, online banks and dealerships.

Visiting your local banks and credit unions before you arrive at the dealership can be a sure way to determine if you are being offered the best auto financing.

Tip #3: Focus on Loan’s Total Cost

Determine what you can afford in regard to the vehicle’s total cost. Small monthly payments have a way of making it appear like you are spending less, when in actuality you are spending more in the long run. Some dealers will increase car payments by adding unnecessary products and services into the loan, such as extended warranties. If you are not focusing on the total cost of the loan, these additional products can seem very inviting.

Tip #4: Watch out for "0% Financing"

Many dealerships boast about their zero-percent financing deals. Here is what you need to know about zero-percent financing.

• 0% is not offered for every vehicle.
• 0% is generally only offered to those people with solid credit history and very high credit scores.
• 0% is not usually offered with a rebate. You must choose one or the other.
• People who qualify for 0% often have a harder time negotiating the vehicle’s price.

Tip #5: Beware of Hidden Fees and Penalties

When finalizing the terms of your auto financing loan, be sure to ask the dealer about the ramifications of paying off your loan before the end of its term. Unfortunately, some dealers charge you fees for repaying your auto loan early.

Other hidden fees can quickly add up as well. Be sure to keep your eye on the total cost of the loan and not monthly payments. Coming to the dealership with preapproved auto financing can prevent a dealer from trying to add on unnecessary costs.