2025 Capital One Auto Finance Review
Capital One auto financing at a glance
New auto loans | Used auto loans | Refinance auto loans | |
---|---|---|---|
Starting annual percentage rate (APR) | 5.59% | Not specified | Not specified |
Loan terms | 24 to 84 months | Not specified | Not specified |
Loan amounts | Starting at $4,000 | Not specified | $7,500 to $75,000 |
Between comparing trim levels and figuring out the budget for your new ride, buying a car can be stressful. Capital One might be just the lender to help.
Here’s what to know if you’re considering Capital One auto financing:
- Free car-shopping tool: Capital One’s Auto Navigator can help you get prequalified for financing. Once you’re prequalified, you can compare cars online available at Capital One’s partner dealers.
- Don’t need perfect credit to qualify: Internal LendingTree data shows that it offers car loans to both good- and bad-credit borrowers.
- Specializes in preapproved car loans: Before you head to the car lot, get preapproved with Capital One. A preapproved car loan works like a check written in the amount you’re approved to finance.
- Can prequalify with a soft credit check: Preapproved car loans require a hard credit hit, dropping your score by a few points. If you aren’t ready for that, you can prequalify and check rates with no impact to your credit score.
- Must shop with a participating dealer: Unfortunately, you can’t use a Capital One auto loan just anywhere. You have to buy your car through a participating dealer.
- Best for car buyers looking for an easy experience: Capital One’s Auto Navigator tool can help you prequalify for a car loan and shop for a car online in one fell swoop. You can know exactly what car you want and how much you can afford before leaving your house.
Capital One auto loan requirements
Capital One doesn’t specify some of its borrower requirements, including minimum credit score. We can confirm that, based on internal LendingTree data, Capital One doesn’t require stellar credit. Just don’t expect to see its minimum APR of 5.59%. You must also:
- Be 18 or older
- Not live in Alaska or Hawaii
- Have a valid U.S. address
- Make at least $1,500 a month
- Be in good standing, if you already have a Capital One account
When it comes to what cars it will finance, Capital One is more specific. Capital One auto loans don’t apply to:
- Oldsmobiles, Daewoos, Saabs, Suzukis or Isuzus
- Cars older than 10 years
- Cars with more than 120,000 miles on the odometer
- Commercial vehicles
- Motorcycles, RVs, ATVs, campers or motorhomes
- Cars with a history of mechanical problems
- Lemon cars and branded titles
- Cars without a VIN or title
- Private-party sales or sales from a non-participating dealer
Capital One pros and cons
Unless you refinance your car loan, you could be stuck with your lender for years. Plus, applying for an auto loan is a huge decision that has a major impact on your finances. Consider Capital One’s drawbacks and advantages to get an idea of what to expect.
Pros
- Auto Navigator tool makes it easy to shop for a car within your budget
- Offers both prequalification and preapproval
- You can request to postpone your payment by 15 days through your online account
- Minimum loan amount of $4,000 means you can finance a cheaper used car
Cons
- Rates are competitive but aren’t the lowest around
- You can only buy from a dealer that partners with Capital One
- Might get connected with a partner lender rather than Capital One when using Auto Navigator
What helps Capital One shine is its convenience. For one, its Auto Navigator tool can make car shopping a breeze. Download the app, get prequalified and shop for cars available from participating dealers. You can see customized monthly payments for the cars you browse based on your prequalification offer.
It also offers preapproved car loans. A preapproved car loan can give you negotiating power, since the dealer knows exactly how much you can spend. Getting preapproved can also help you stick to your budget, since it sets a limit on how much you’re approved to spend.
For more car-budgeting tips, check out the 20/4/10 rule for car buying.
Prequalification is like a mini application that doesn’t hurt your credit score. Using information like your income and living expenses, this process will tell you what rates you might qualify for. Prequalification isn’t a guarantee and is largely based on the answers you provide (instead of your credit report).
Preapproval is not a formal application, but it does require a hard credit pull. That means your credit score will probably drop a few points. But compared to prequalification, preapproval is a more solid offer (but still not guaranteed).
However, Capital One can be picky about the cars it will finance. You have to buy from a dealer that partners with Capital One. That means no private-party auto loans.
Capital One company overview
Capital One got its start in 1988. At that time, it was a credit card company. Today, it’s the ninth-largest bank in the U.S. by assets. Capital One still has a focus on credit cards but also offers savings and checking accounts, CDs and auto loans.
Capital One does most of its business online, but it does have some physical locations. If you prefer to bank face to face, check to see if there’s a Capital One branch near you.
Capital One Cafés are an especially unique in-person option. Here, you can chat with a Capital One Café ambassador and ask questions (no sales pitches). You’ll also find free Wi-Fi, conference rooms for public use and a full food and drink menu. You don’t need to be a Capital One customer to enjoy, either.
Capital One auto loan types offered
Capital One is only an option if you’re looking for a new car loan, a used car loan or an auto refinance loan. It doesn’t offer powersport financing or lease buyouts.
How to get an auto loan with Capital One
Getting a loan with Capital One will vary depending on whether you’re buying or refinancing. In either case, here’s what to expect:
Capital One auto purchase loans
1. Shop for a car with the Capital One Auto Navigator tool
The first step is to find a car that you love. Capital One’s Auto Navigator tool lets you browse by body style, price range, car brand or make and model. Then, it will show you all the options available from participating dealers in your area.
Once you find your perfect match, you can fill out a form with your name and contact information to be connected to the dealership.
2. Get prequalified for an auto loan
The next step is to get prequalified for an auto loan. Prequalification is optional, but it will let Auto Navigator show you customized offers and monthly payments. Your prequalification offer will be good for 30 days.
If you decide to move forward with prequalification, you’ll need to provide Capital One with the following:
- Personal details: You’ll need to provide your full name, email address and phone number.
- Residence details: You’ll need to share your street address, how long you’ve lived there and how much you pay a month for housing.
- Employment details: You’ll also need to supply the name of your employer and your work address.
3. Customize your loan offers
One of the best features of the Capital One auto finance program is that it allows you to customize some of your loan terms. You can set preferences like your desired down payment or monthly payment amount and get offers based on your requests.
4. Apply at a participating dealership
When you’re ready to move forward with your purchase, you’ll head to the dealership. While you’re there, you can take a test drive and formally apply for the loan.
If needed, you’ll submit additional documentation and wait for approval. Then, it will be time to carefully read over your loan agreement and sign on the dotted line.
Capital One auto refinance loans
1. Prequalify online
Capital One also allows you to prequalify for one of its refinance loans. Just like for purchase loans, you’ll need to fill out a form with your personal, residence and employment information. However, this time, you’ll also need to include information about your vehicle.
2. Finalize your loan application
Next, you’ll pick the loan offer that best suits your needs and finish filling out your loan application. In some cases, you may need to provide Capital One with supplemental documentation, as well.
3. Sign the paperwork
Once you’re approved for the loan, read over your loan agreement and sign it. Capital One will take care of paying off your old loan and helping you to transfer title.
Is a Capital One auto loan right for you?
If you prefer doing business online and are looking for an easy car-shopping experience, Capital One could be a good fit for you. You can see personalized offers and customize your loan options to see if the car you’re looking at will fit your budget.
When it comes to APRs, Capital One auto loan rates are higher than some. Still, they’re generally competitive. It’s also known to work with borrowers with less-than-perfect credit.
How Capital One auto loans compare
To get a better idea of how Capital One stacks up, check out the table below. Please note that this data applies to loans for new cars.
Capital One | Bank of America | Carvana | |
---|---|---|---|
Starting APR | 5.59% | 5.34% | 7.90% |
Loan terms | 24 to 84 months | 48 to 72 months | 36 to 78 months |
Loan amounts | Starting at $4,000 | Starting at $7,500 | Starting at $1,000 |
Minimum credit score | Not specified | Not specified | None |
Bank of America has lower rates, but you have to borrow at least $7,500. If the car you’re buying is less than that, you won’t be eligible. However, it offers shorter loan term lengths than Capital One.
On the flipside, Carvana has a minimum loan amount of $1,000, making it a solid choice if you’re looking for a cheap car. Its rates are also higher, but it specializes in bad credit car loans and has no credit score minimum.
Frequently asked questions
Capital One lets you check rates without hurting your credit score. If you’re worried that Capital One will deny you, see if you prequalify before actually applying.
But if you prefer applying for loans in person, Capital One might not be the lender for you. It has some physical locations, but it does most of its business online. Also, keep in mind that you can only use Capital One auto financing at participating dealers.
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- Capital One auto financing at a glance
- Capital One auto loan requirements
- Capital One pros and cons
- Capital One company overview
- Capital One auto loan types offered
- How to get an auto loan with Capital One
- Is a Capital One auto loan right for you?
- How Capital One auto loans compare
- Frequently asked questions