The Refinance Check
Already signed a bad rate? See what a refinance saves.
If a dealer stuck you with a rate higher than your credit deserved, you're not stuck with it forever. Put in your numbers and a rate you could get elsewhere — it runs in your browser, nothing is sent anywhere, and there's nothing to sign up for.
Refinance estimator
When it's worth it
Refinancing, in plain terms
Refinancing just means replacing your current car loan with a new one at a better rate. The car doesn't change; the loan does. It makes the most sense when your credit has improved, or when a dealer marked up your rate in the first place.
A few things to keep straight. Chase the rate, and try to keep the term at or below what you have left — stretching the loan out lowers the monthly but can quietly add interest, which the estimator above will flag. Credit unions are almost always the cheapest place to refinance; most will pre-qualify you in minutes without touching your credit score. And there's usually little to no cost to refinance an auto loan, but ask, and watch for any prepayment penalty on your current loan.
Already signed and want the rest of it back? The add-ons a finance office talked you into — warranties, GAP, the protection packages — can usually be canceled for a refund too. Here's how: the escape hatch.
Next time, catch it before you sign.
The Finance-Office Check spots a marked-up rate while you're still at the desk — when saying no is free.
Check a deal → Read the playbook →