RoadLoans is a subsidiary of Santander Consumer USA that offers financing for new and used cars through dealers, as well as auto loan refinancing direct to applicants. When you\u2019re comparing loan offers, you may want to consider initiating an online application with this company to see its offers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lender, based in Fort Worth, Texas, has been originating auto loans for consumers since 1997. You can apply on the company\u2019s website, get prequalified, and shop for your next vehicle with financing in hand. Its pre-qualification is good for 30 days if you qualify for a loan. RoadLoans promises \u201cinstant\u201d decisions, but it\u2019s worth noting that checking rates with the lender will mean a hard credit inquiry. However, it should not impact your credit to complete multiple auto loan applications any more than it does to apply to one, as long as you do so within a two-week window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like most auto lenders, RoadLoans bases its decision about whether to approve your application and how much money it might be willing to lend you on your FICO credit score, your income level and whether you can verify your identity. RoadLoans does consider applicants with bad credit, previous bankruptcies or no credit history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re approved, the funds may be available in as little as one business day. Preapproval lets you shop at various car dealerships as if you have cash in hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
RoadLoans offers financing for new and used cars and two types of refinancing: the traditional method and what it calls cashback refinancing, when you refinance your auto loan for more than you owe. RoadLoans lists several advantages to cashback refinancing, like a cash sum up to $5,000 to be used to pay off other debt. However, there are several disadvantages, too \u2014 you could wind up \u201cunderwater\u201d on your car<\/a>, owing more than it is worth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Notably, cashback refinancing is not available in Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Virginia or Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although RoadLoans says that it offers loans to consumers with credit issues, it does not list a minimum credit score or ranges for rates and terms on its website. \u201cBad\u201d credit, in this case, may be scores around 600. However, the cost of credit for those with less-than-stellar credit scores may be high: the average APR for Santander loans, including those made through dealers, was 17.2% as of March 31, 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Loan amounts range between $5,000 and $75,000, though minimum amounts are higher in Arizona ($10,001), California ($6,000) and Massachusetts ($6,001). If you decide to apply and RoadLoans approves you, its loan terms are included with the offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No matter the condition of your credit or your income level, it\u2019s important to shop around to get the best possible interest rate and terms on your auto loan. Comparing rates from multiple lenders<\/a> is the only way to know for sure that you aren\u2019t paying unnecessarily high interest rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Applicants ages 18 years or older may apply online, free. A co-borrower is allowed, which may improve your chances of approval. RoadLoans will ask whether you\u2019d like to purchase from a dealer, refinance your current auto loan or apply for a cashback refinance. The RoadLoans application requires your:<\/p>\n\n\n\n RoadLoans does not offer refinancing to active-duty service members or their immediate family members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n RoadLoans offers fast decisions on an auto loan you could take to the dealership, but not any dealership. The company provides applicants with a list of preferred dealerships<\/a> where they can choose a vehicle with a price that fits within the loan offer\u2019s parameters. If you don\u2019t see one in your area, you may use your preapproved loan at any franchised dealer, but not at an independent dealer unless it is part of RoadLoans\u2019 network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vehicles must also fall within certain parameters. Vehicles to be financed must be nine years old or newer, have less than 120,000 miles, and have clean titles. Vehicles to be refinanced must be seven years or newer with fewer than 105,000 miles. You may only refinance auto loans from companies other than RoadLoans \u2014 RoadLoans won\u2019t refinance its own loans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every auto loan company has pros and cons that affect how appropriate it is for your specific situation. It\u2019s important to research multiple companies and get multiple loan offers<\/a> so you can compare your options and make sure you can get terms you are comfortable with, including a payment that fits into your budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow to apply for financing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The fine print<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pros and cons of financing through RoadLoans<\/h3>\n\n\n\n