How to Refinance a Car Loan

Are you tired of high car payments, like a lot of San Diego-area drivers? Has your credit score improved since you took out your auto loan? Then you may be thinking about refinancing. But how do you refinance a car loan?  The finance experts at Kearny Mesa Acura of San Diego want all of our customers to know their financing options. That’s why we put together the guide below on how to refinance a car loan. We examine the best way to refinance an auto loan, as well as what to know when refinancing a car.

What to Know When Refinancing Your Car

Any guide on how to refinance a car loan has to include some caveats. The best way to refinance an auto loan is to start with knowing the true cost of doing it. So here’s what to know when refinancing your car:

• New loans usually have fees. Check with your lender.
• There may be a prepayment penalty for paying your old loan off early.
• If your car is older than eight years old, has more than 100,000 miles on it, or you owe more than what it is worth, you may not qualify or save any money by refinancing.
• Depending on which state you live in, you may have to pay to re-register the car or transfer the title.
• You will likely get a better loan only if your credit score is better than it was when you took out the original loan.

How Do You Refinance a Car Loan?

How do you refinance a car loan? Following the steps below will usually bring the best results:

• Wondering what you should know when refinancing your car? It all starts with knowing if there’s anything on your credit record that could affect the terms of your loan. Get a free copy of your credit report and fix any issues.
• Try to get pre-qualified. Pre-qualification means it won’t be necessary for every lender in the National City area who gets your application to “hard” check your credit. We allow our customers to apply for financing before they even come into the dealership.
• Apply to multiple lenders. Lenders don’t all have the same rates. This is usually covered if you’re going through a dealership, as most dealerships work with multiple lenders. If you’re going to make multiple applications, make sure they all get submitted within a 14-day window.

Let the Friendly Finance Team at Kearny Mesa Acura Help You

We’ll be happy to walk you through all of your financing options. Sometimes the easiest way to get a new loan with better terms is to trade your car in. You might check out our pre-owned vehicle specials for a good deal on a late model vehicle. We’re just a short drive away from Carlsbad, so drop by or contact us today!