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Table of contents
Table of contents
Despite the rising costs of new vehicles, new car purchases increased in the third quarter of 2024 while used vehicle purchases remained the same. This may be due to a shortage of used cars, which has inflated their prices. In some cases, buyers’ monthly payments on new cars are marginally higher compared to what they would pay on a used car.
Car buyers were somewhat less likely to finance a new car purchase. Those who did were more likely to finance through captive finance companies, which offer competitive incentives such as 0 percent APR car deals, rather than banks and credit unions.
Whether you have poor credit or are looking to refinance your current loan, it’s important to understand typical monthly payments and rates so you can feel confident that you are getting the best deal.
Though the current average monthly payment for a new and used car is $749 and $529, respectively, car payments are based on more than just the cost of the vehicle. You can calculate your car payment based on the amount you borrow, your annual percentage rate (APR) and loan term. Because car prices and APRs are both high compared to pre-pandemic numbers, so are average monthly car payments.
The following table shows the average cost of the individual charges that make up a car payment and the average term for a car loan for the second quarter of 2025:
Figuring out your budget for an auto loan can be tricky. It’s tempting to think in terms of monthly payments, but this can be deceptive. Low payments mean longer terms and more total interest, increasing the overall cost of your vehicle. And remember, your vehicle will be losing value while you’re making those payments.
Bankrate Chief Financial Analyst Greg McBride, CFA, advises people to consider the total payments over the loan term. “The $35,000, six-year loan at an eight percent rate costs more than $44,000,” he explains. “Yet the vehicle will only be worth about one-third of what you paid for it six years from now. ”
He reminds drivers to account for additional costs like maintenance, insurance, and repairs that come up throughout ownership. “Vehicle costs can be budget-busters that become difficult to get out from under,” he explains. Budgeting for these costs from the start ensures you won’t feel cash-strapped once you’re already committed to your loan.
Shop around for the best auto loan rates and take advantage of prequalification opportunities to compare what different lenders are willing to offer you based on your finances.
Calculating your car’s cost gives you a better sense of the monthly payment you can afford. To determine how much your vehicle will truly cost, you must make some estimates.
Reduce your monthly payments — and total purchase cost — by making a down payment. According to data from Edmunds, drivers put down on average $6,856 for new cars and $4.219 for used cars in the fourth quarter of 2024. If you have a trade-in, that would also count toward your down payment.
Average rates are currently high. The benchmark rate, which is the rate banks charge to lend money to other banks, declined to 4.25-4.5 percent in December. This affects rates on consumer products like car loans, but although there was a significant change in the fed rate over 2024, interest rates have not seen a decrease.
To make sure you are getting the most competitive rate, explore different lender types and use prequalification to find the best rate.
Average loan amounts have seen a steady increase since 2022, which is likely driven, in part, by increased vehicle prices during that same timeframe. Between the first and second quarter of 2025, the average loan amount increased for new and used cars across the credit spectrum.
Lenders use your credit score to estimate the risk that you will not repay your loan. You will likely be offered more competitive rates if you build credit before applying for a car loan.
As this graph shows, borrowers with the highest scores (falling between 781 and 850) secure the lowest monthly payments for new vehicles and the second-lowest monthly payments for used vehicles. Further, rates for prime and super prime borrowers have been decreasing for new car loans, while all other borrowers have seen steady increases to their rates, according to Experian.
Auto loans are available in 12-month increments, ranging from 24 to 96 months. The most common terms are 60 and 72 months, but 84-month terms are becoming more common.
Finding a lower rate by shopping with multiple lenders can be a more cost-effective way to lower your monthly payment. However, that can be challenging if you have poor credit or minimal credit history. Comparing bad credit auto loan lenders may help you secure a more competitive rate.
When shopping for the best auto loan rate, it is important to consider more than just the monthly payment. Weigh how much you’ll pay in interest and fees across the entire loan term. A longer term means lower monthly payments but a higher cost overall.
And that’s not the only problem long terms pose. “An extended loan term not only increases the total interest tally, but it means more years of being upside-down – owing more than the car is worth. This becomes a sudden problem if the vehicle is stolen or totaled in an accident and the insurance proceeds are less than the remaining balance on the loan,” McBride explains.
Ultimately, there is no perfect term. The right one for you depends on your budget and needs.
Auto loan delinquency is when a borrower is late or behind in making their auto loan payments. Generally, accounts are considered delinquent once they are 30 days overdue; when they are 90 days overdue, they enter default, and the borrower’s car may be repossessed.
During 2024, the rates at which borrowers became at least 90 days delinquent on their auto loans surpassed pre-pandemic levels, according to Federal Reserve (FRED) reporting. A number of factors are driving these delinquencies.
Rising interest rates have also added additional financial strain for car buyers. As the graph below indicates, the current uptick in delinquencies began in the third quarter of 2021, the same time the current inflationary period began.
Consumers are financially stressed. Of U.S. adults, 47 percent say money has a negative impact on their mental health at least occasionally, according to Bankrate’s Money and Mental Health Survey. Among them, 47 percent cited being in debt as a factor that negatively impacted their mental health.
While delinquencies have increased across all age groups, younger buyers have been impacted the most. This may indicate that factors such as shorter credit histories and lower savings reserves are also factors driving at least some of these delinquencies.
Although auto loan rates are affected by many factors beyond your control, smart choices can put you in the driver’s seat when it comes to this big purchase. Current interest rates will make monthly payments more expensive, so be patient. Take the time to compare different rates and build your credit score to qualify for better auto loan rates.
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Table of contents
How to pay off a car loan faster & when to wait
What is the average down payment for first-time homebuyers?
Cars are older than ever — how it’s reshaping auto loans in 2025
Average auto loan interest rates by credit score in 2025
Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories, except where prohibited by law for our mortgage, home equity and other home lending products. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range, can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service.
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