Yes, you can get financing for an auto repair. Although specific auto repair financing loans are few and far between, most personal loans can be used to fund vehicle repairs.
Written by Tara Mastroeni | Edited by Kurt Adams and Xiomara Martinez-White | Reviewed October 13, 2023
Lender | User ratings | Best for… | APR range | Loan terms | Loan amounts | Credit score required | Origination fee |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
User Ratings & Reviews
Ratings and reviews are from real consumers who have used the lending partner’s services. | Borrowers with higher credit scores | 6.99% - 35.99% | 24 to 60 months | $2,000 - $50,000 | 560 | 1.00% - 7.99% | |
User Ratings & Reviews
Ratings and reviews are from real consumers who have used the lending partner’s services. | Borrowers who need larger loan amounts | 8.99% - 25.81% (with autopay) | 24 to 84 months | $5,000 - $100,000 | 680 | 0.00% to 6.00% (not required) | |
User Ratings & Reviews
Ratings and reviews are from real consumers who have used the lending partner’s services. | Borrowers with bad credit | 6.40% - 35.99% | 36 and 60 months | $1,000 - $50,000 | 300 | Up to 12.00% | |
User Ratings & Reviews
Ratings and reviews are from real consumers who have used the lending partner’s services. | Borrowers who need same-day funding | 9.116% - 29.99% (with autopay) | 36 or 60 months | $2,000 - $45,000 | 640 | Up to 9.00% | |
User Ratings & Reviews
Ratings and reviews are from real consumers who have used the lending partner’s services. | Borrowers who only need small loan amounts | 7.99% - 24.99% | 36 to 84 months | $2,500 - $40,000 | 720 | None | |
User Ratings & Reviews
Ratings and reviews are from real consumers who have used the lending partner’s services. | Borrowers who want prequalification | 8.99% - 35.99% | 36 to 60 months | $2,000 - $50,000 | 600 | 0.99% - 8.99% | |
Borrowers who need a longer loan term | 7.49% - 25.49% (with autopay) | 24 to 144 months | $5,000 - $100,000 | Not specified | None | ||
Borrowers who are interested in applying with a co-borrower | 7.99% - 17.99% | 12 to 60 months | $600 - $50,000 | 700 | None |
APR range | 6.99% - 35.99% |
Loan amounts | $2,000 - $50,000 |
Loan terms | 24 to 60 months |
Origination fee | 1.00% - 7.99% |
Minimum credit score | 560 |
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Low minimum APR Wide range of loan amounts Allows for co-borrowers | High minimum credit score requirement Charges an origination fee Higher maximum APR |
If you have a good or excellent credit score, it may be worth looking into Prosper for auto repair financing. The company offers a low minimum APR of just 6.99% — plus, it has a wide variety of loan amounts and loan terms, which add flexibility when borrowing. That said, if you have a lower score, it may be difficult to qualify — and even if you do, you could see higher interest rates.
Read our full Prosper personal loan review.
APR range | 8.99% - 25.81% (with autopay) |
Loan amounts | $5,000 - $100,000 |
Loan terms | 24 to 84 months |
Origination fee | 0.00% to 6.00% (not required) |
Minimum credit score | 680 |
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Loan amounts up to $100,000 Same-day funding available 0.00% - 6.00% | Higher minimum credit score requirement Minimum loan amount may be higher in some states |
If you qualify, SoFi can offer you up to $100,000 in funds as soon as the same day you apply. Plus, this lender doesn’t charge an origination fee and offers loan terms up to seven years, which can help make your monthly payments lower. Still, you’ll need a credit score of at least 680 to apply, meaning that SoFi may not be the best option if you have a lower credit score.
Read our full SoFi personal loan review.
APR range | 6.40% - 35.99% |
Loan amounts | $1,000 - $50,000 |
Loan terms | 36 and 60 months |
Origination fee | 0.00% - 12.00% |
Minimum credit score | 300 |
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Low minimum credit score requirement Low minimum APR Small loan amounts available | Potentially high origination fee Low borrowing cap Shorter loan terms |
Getting a personal loan with bad credit may be tougher — but it’s not impossible. Since Upstart accepts credit scores as low as 300, it’s our best pick for bad credit loans. Still, the borrowing cap is somewhat low compared to other lenders, so it may not be the best fit if your car repair has a big price tag. Further, Upstart’s origination fee can get quite steep, at up to 12%.
Read our full Upstart personal loan review.
APR range | 9.116% - 29.99% (with autopay) |
Loan amounts | $2,000 - $45,000 |
Loan terms | 36 or 60 months |
Origination fee | Up to 9.00% |
Minimum credit score | 640 |
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Same-day funding available Autopay discount available Relatively low minimum APR | Higher origination fee Lower borrowing cap Not available in all states |
As long as you’re able to get your loan application submitted to Rocket Loans by 1:00 p.m. ET on a business day, you could be eligible for same-day funding. If that’s something you need, this company could be a good option. It has a relatively low minimum annual percentage rate (APR) and offers an autopay discount. Unfortunately, though, these loans aren’t available in Nevada, Iowa or West Virginia — plus, the origination fee may be as high as 9.00%.
Read our full Rocket Loans personal loan review.
APR range | 7.99% - 24.99% |
Loan amounts | $2,500 - $40,000 |
Loan terms | 36 to 84 months |
Origination fee | None |
Minimum credit score | 720 |
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Not specified Relatively low minimum APR Longer loan terms available | Doesn’t allow cosigners Lower borrowing cap Higher minimum credit score |
Since the maximum loan amount you can borrow from Discover is only $40,000, it’s our top choice for borrowers who only need small loans. So if your auto repair fits that bill, Discover could be an affordable choice. Its low minimum APR, lack of an origination fee and longer loan terms can help make it easier to afford your monthly payments. However, cosigners aren’t allowed and you won’t be able to borrow as much as you might with other lenders.
Read our full Discover personal loan review.
In order to qualify for a Discover loan, you’ll need to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a permanent address. You’ll also need to have a working email address for the application process and be able to prove that you make at least $25,000 per year.
APR range | 8.99% - 35.99% |
Loan amounts | $2,000 - $50,000 |
Loan terms | 36 to 60 months |
Origination fee | 0.99% - 8.99% |
Minimum credit score | 600 |
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Next-day funding available Relatively low minimum APR Prequalification available | Higher origination fee Higher minimum credit score requirement Cosigners not allowed |
One of the standout features of Best Egg is that they allow for personal loan prequalification, which allows you to see if you might qualify without harming your credit score. They also have a relatively low minimum APR, which can help keep funding affordable. Yet, at the same time, their origination fee is on the higher end and personal loans with cosigners aren’t allowed.
Read our full Best Egg personal loan review.
APR range | 7.49% - 25.49% (with autopay) |
Loan amounts | $5,000 - $100,000 |
Loan terms | 24 to 144 months |
Origination fee | None |
Minimum credit score | Not specified |
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Longer loan terms available Large loan amounts available No origination fee | Doesn’t specify minimum credit score requirements Higher minimum loan amount No option to prequalify |
With loan terms up to 12 years, LightStream may be a solid option for those who need more time to pay back their auto repair financing. Since the company allows you to borrow up to $100,000, its loan terms are particularly flexible. That said, LightStream isn’t very upfront about its eligibility requirements, which can make it hard to tell if you qualify. Plus, it has a higher minimum loan amount, meaning it may not be the best fit for those who only need to borrow a smaller amount.
Read our full LightStream personal loan review.
APR range | 7.99% - 17.99% |
Loan amounts | $600 - $50,000 |
Loan terms | 12 to 60 months |
Origination fee | None |
Minimum credit score | 700 |
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Low minimum loan amount Co-borrowers allowed Lower maximum APR | Higher minimum credit score requirement Must be a member of the credit union to receive loan funds Minimum required monthly payment of $50 |
If you’re looking to submit a joint personal loan application for your auto repair financing, consider PenFed Credit Union — it’s one of the few lenders that allows this type of borrowing. Plus, the company boasts a low minimum loan amount and low maximum APR, which can help keep borrowing affordable. However, be aware that you’ll have to have a strong credit score to be approved, and you’ll need to be a member of the credit union in order to receive your loan funds.
Read our full PenFed Credit Union personal loan review.
Auto repair financing refers to any type of loans used to pay for necessary repairs to a car or another kind of vehicle. While loans specifically meant to cover auto repair financing are few and far between, most personal loans can be used for this purpose.
Before choosing a place to get a personal loan, it’s a good idea to shop around. Obtaining quotes from a few different lenders is the best way to make sure you end up with a loan that suits your needs. However, you’ll want to remember to provide the same information for each quote, so you can be confident that you’re making an apples-to-apples comparison.
Here are a few metrics to compare in your evaluation:
APRs: Annual percentage rates (APR) can play a huge role in determining how much you pay over the life of the loan, so it’s important to pay close attention to this one. APR includes your interest rate, plus any fees.
Fees: Personal loan lenders commonly charge a few fees, including origination fees, late fees and returned payment fees. Watch out for a potential prepayment penalty fee, a charge for paying off your loan early. Fortunately, most lenders no longer charge this fee.
Terms: Your loan term — the length of the loan — will also impact how much you spend on funding. In general, longer loan terms come with lower monthly payments, but you’ll pay more in interest charges over time. On the other hand, shorter terms come with higher monthly payments, but you’ll pay less in interest overall. As a rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to go with the shortest loan term whose monthly payment you can still comfortably afford.
Funding timeline: How long does it take to get a personal loan? That depends on the lender. Some can disburse funds as soon as the same business day, while for others it can sometimes take a few business days. Whenever possible, it’s smart to leave a little lag time between when you apply for a loan and when you need to receive the funds.
Unique perks: Does the lender offer any unique perks that could benefit you, like an autopay discount or the ability to manage your loan through an app? If so, those should be weighted alongside the other factors when making a decision on your auto repair financing loan.
Now that you have a better idea of how to compare auto repair loan quotes, here’s a closer look at how to apply for this type of financing.
Checking your credit score before applying for a loan can help you get a better idea of how likely you are to be approved, as well as what sort of interest rate you’ll likely receive. If your score is on the lower end, it may be a good idea to work on improving your credit score before you take the plunge.
Once you have a better idea of where you stand, it’s a good idea to shop around for a loan. As mentioned above, shopping around involves comparing rates and terms, so you can decide on the loan that best fits you. It’s a good idea to compare three or more quotes before making your final decision.
Unfortunately, not all lenders allow you to prequalify for a loan. Some will require a hard pull on your credit report to determine eligibility, so you may want to keep this in mind when picking lenders to get quotes. Still, be aware that prequalification is not the same as loan approval: You may not receive the exact same rates or fees when you actually apply.
After selecting the best quote, you’ll need to apply for your personal loan. Every lender’s application process is different, but most will want you to verify your identity, employment information and income. You’ll likely need to submit some supporting documentation, such as a government-issued ID, W-2 and pay stub, along with your loan application.
Further, applying for a personal loan often comes with a hard pull on your credit report. This can temporarily cause your credit score to drop by a few points, so you’ll want to consider your applications carefully. As a general rule, it’s a good idea to only apply for one loan at a time.
Once your lender approves you for a loan, it’s time to sign a personal loan agreement. After you sign on the dotted line, the funds will be disbursed, usually by either direct deposit or check.
We reviewed more than 25 lenders to determine the overall best eight auto repair financing loans. To make our list, lenders must offer loans with competitive annual percentage rates (APRs) From there, we prioritize lenders based on the following factors:
Yes, you can get financing for an auto repair. Although specific auto repair financing loans are few and far between, most personal loans can be used to fund vehicle repairs.
Yes, you can get financing for an auto repair even if you have bad credit. Some lenders on our list accept applicants with lower credit scores — however, typical requirements can vary. You may want to consider our list of the best bad credit loans for more options.
It’s possible to pay for auto repairs in installments by getting a personal loan. Once you do, you’ll be able to make fixed, monthly payments on the amount that you’ve borrowed.