Auto loans

Understand the ins and outs of auto loans and how to find the best option for financing your next car.

Editors' picks

A smiling man in a car showing something to a female driver on his smartphone

How Much Is a Down Payment on a Car?

By Evelyn Waugh

Sep 26, 2025

A woman is letting her daughter steer the wheel of a parked car

Average Used Car Payment in 2024

By Marianne Hayes

Nov 3, 2024

Smiling man leaning towards the car door while holding the keys

How Much Car Can I Afford?

By Brianna McGurran

Oct 23, 2024

Take action with these tools

Free Experian app

Manage your finances any time, anywhere on your phone.

Download the free app

Free credit report

Get access to your free Experian credit report and FICO^® Score^Θ.

Experian Boost^®

Instantly raise your credit scores for free—just by paying your bills.^ø

Car payment calculator

Compare estimated payments with different term lengths and rates.

Best personal loans

Fund home improvement projects, cover expenses and more.

What others are reading

Average Car Loan Interest Rates by Credit Score

If you’re thinking about buying a car, it’s important to consider how your credit score af...

By Ben Luthi

Jun 20, 2025

What Happens if I Return My Car to the Lender Before I Finish Paying It Off?

By Karen Axelton

Apr 30, 2025

Does Paying Off a Car Loan Help or Hurt My Credit?

By Karen Axelton

Mar 24, 2025

What Is a Good Credit Score for an Auto Loan?

By Ben Luthi

Mar 31, 2025

Which Credit Score Is Used for Car Loans?

By Louis DeNicola

Sep 23, 2025

What to Do if You Can’t Afford Your Car Payment

By Ben Luthi

Sep 27, 2024

Explore more topics

The latest from our experts

How to Sell Your Car to a Private Party

Selling your car privately can put more money in your pocket than trading it in to a deale...

By Ben Luthi

Mar 31, 2026

How to Buy a New Car in 10 Steps

If you’re planning to buy a car, here are some steps to help you manage the process from s...

By Ben Luthi

Mar 31, 2026

When Will Auto Loan Rates Go Down?

You may be wondering when auto loan rates will go down. Here’s what to know about expert f...

By Ben Luthi

Mar 30, 2026

What Is the Book Value of a Car?

Book value can help the buyer or seller of a used car set a benchmark for the purchase pri...

By John Egan

Mar 26, 2026

Used Car vs. New Car: Which Should You Buy?

Whether to buy a new car or a used car depends on your budget, vehicle preferences and nee...

By Karen Axelton

Mar 23, 2026

What’s the Average Car Loan Length?

As of Q4 2025, average car loan terms are close to six years, but many loans are longer. L...

By Karen Axelton

Mar 20, 2026

How to Buy a New Car: A Step-by-Step Checklist

Buying a new car? Use this checklist to plan your budget, prepare your credit for a loan a...

By Karen Axelton

Mar 3, 2026

How to Buy a New Car Online

Whether you’re shopping for a new or used vehicle, you can now browse inventory, secure fi...

By Ben Luthi

Feb 20, 2026

When Should You Trade In Your Car?

Trading in your old car can help reduce what you'll pay for a new car. Choosing the right ...

By Ben Luthi

Feb 19, 2026

What Car Should I Buy?

From evaluating your lifestyle and finances to researching brands and taking test drives, ...

By Ben Luthi

Feb 19, 2026

How to Get Out of an Auto Loan You Can’t Afford

If you can't afford your car loan, you may be able to get out of it by refinancing, sellin...

By Karen Axelton

Feb 9, 2026

Can You Buy a Car With a Debit Card?

You may be able to buy a car with a debit card, but bank and dealer transaction caps could...

By Karen Axelton

Feb 7, 2026

Credit support

Credit advice

Identity Theft support

Identity Theft Advice

Money advice

Credit Card advice

Loan types

Loan advice

Auto Insurance Advice

Auto loans

Editors' picks

How Much Is a Down Payment on a Car?

Average Used Car Payment in 2024

How Much Car Can I Afford?

Take action with these tools

Free Experian app

Free credit report

Experian Boost®

Car payment calculator

Best personal loans

What others are reading

Average Car Loan Interest Rates by Credit Score

What Happens if I Return My Car to the Lender Before I Finish Paying It Off?

Does Paying Off a Car Loan Help or Hurt My Credit?

What Is a Good Credit Score for an Auto Loan?

Which Credit Score Is Used for Car Loans?

What to Do if You Can’t Afford Your Car Payment

Explore more topics

The latest from our experts

How to Sell Your Car to a Private Party

How to Buy a New Car in 10 Steps

When Will Auto Loan Rates Go Down?

What Is the Book Value of a Car?

Used Car vs. New Car: Which Should You Buy?

What’s the Average Car Loan Length?

How to Buy a New Car: A Step-by-Step Checklist

How to Buy a New Car Online

When Should You Trade In Your Car?

What Car Should I Buy?

How to Get Out of an Auto Loan You Can’t Afford

Can You Buy a Car With a Debit Card?

Experian Boost^®