Average Car Payment and Auto Loan Statistics 2024
The average car payment for new vehicles was $735 per month in the first quarter of 2024, a 0.4% increase from the first quarter of 2023. The average car payment for used vehicles increased by the same 0.4%. However, the average car payment for leased vehicles decreased by 1.2%.
LendingTree looked at payments, originations, term lengths, delinquencies and more to get a full picture of U.S. auto loan debt and trends. Here’s our 2024 roundup of auto loan statistics.
Auto loan statistics 2024: Average car payments to most popular models
- Average car payments for new and used vehicles in the U.S. increased slightly year over year. Both jumped by 0.4%, according to first-quarter 2024 data from Experian. In the same period, the average car payment for leased vehicles decreased by 1.2%. That puts average monthly car payments at $735, $523 and $595, respectively.
- The price of used cars and trucks decreased. Used car and truck prices are down a significant 9.3% year over year, according to the May 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) consumer price index, while new vehicle prices dipped 0.8%. Americans borrow an average of $40,634 for new vehicles and $26,073 for used vehicles, according to Experian.
- Auto loan debt is the second-largest category behind mortgages. Overall, Americans owe $1.616 trillion in auto loan debt, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, accounting for 9.2% of American consumer debt.
- Americans took out $165.5 billion in new auto loans in the first quarter of 2024. By age, Americans younger than 50 took out $93.9 billion in auto debt during the first quarter, according to the New York Fed, compared with $67.1 billion among those 50 and older.
- Americans are taking many years to pay back their auto loans. The average auto loan term is 67.6 months for new cars, 67.4 months for used cars and 36.1 months for leased vehicles, according to Experian.
- Auto loan delinquency rates are up compared to last year. 4.4% of outstanding auto debt was at least 90 days late in the first quarter of 2024, according to the New York Fed, up 13.4% from the first quarter of 2023. Meanwhile, the percentage of auto loans that fell to 30 days past due was 7.9% in the first quarter of this year, up 15.4% from 6.9% in the first quarter of last year.
- Borrowers with prime credit scores are responsible for the majority of retail vehicle financing. Borrowers with credit scores of 661 and higher account for 68.9% of retail vehicle financing, according to Experian, versus 15.8% for subprime borrowers with credit scores of 600 or lower.
- The most popular vehicle models consumers considered buying on the LendingTree platform in the first quarter of 2024 were the Ford F-150, Tesla Model Y and Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Four Toyota models were among the top 10.
Average monthly car payments for new and used vehicles jump slightly year over year
The average car payment for a new vehicle is $735 monthly, according to first-quarter 2024 data from Experian — up 0.4% year over year. With the same jump of 0.4%, used cars have an average monthly payment of $523. Meanwhile, new lease payments average $595 after a 1.2% decrease.
Annual changes in average monthly car payments
| 2023 payments | 2024 payments | Difference ($) | Difference (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New vehicles | $732 | $735 | $3 | 0.4% |
| Used vehicles | $521 | $523 | $2 | 0.4% |
| New vehicle leases | $602 | $595 | -$7 | -1.2% |
Source: Experian State of the Automotive Finance Market, Q1 2023 and Q1 2024.
Those with credit scores of 601 to 660 (in the nonprime or fair ranges) and 501 to 600 (in the subprime or poor and fair ranges) saw the highest average monthly payments for new vehicles, at $763 and $749, respectively.
Average monthly payments by credit score range
| New vehicles | Used vehicles | New leased vehicles | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | $735 | $523 | $595 |
| 781 to 850 (super prime) | $723 | $522 | $594 |
| 661 to 780 (prime) | $740 | $514 | $591 |
| 601 to 660 (nonprime) | $763 | $530 | $609 |
| 501 to 600 (subprime) | $749 | $536 | $606 |
| 300 to 500 (deep subprime) | $730 | $534 | Not available |
Source: Experian State of the Automotive Finance Market, Q1 2024.
Tip
Used car and truck prices see significant dip
The used car market was friendlier to consumers as used car and truck prices dropped 9.3% year over year, as reported by the May 2024 BLS consumer price index.
A June 2024 Wall Street Journal article says buyers increasingly believe that used cars offer better designs and features that new ones don’t provide. And a Kelley Blue Book column suggests dealers are being rational about used car prices with interest rates so high.
Meanwhile, new vehicle prices dipped 0.8% year over year — similar to the 0.4% decrease in the average new car payment over the past year. A January 2024 Cox Automotive forecast suggested new vehicle inventories could return to prepandemic norms this year.
Average auto loan amounts for new vehicles remain above $40,000
Average auto loan amounts reached $40,634 for new vehicles and $26,073 for used vehicles in the first quarter of 2024, according to Experian. New vehicle loan amounts rose from an average of $40,366 the previous quarter. Meanwhile, the average auto loan amount for used vehicles is down from $26,685 in the fourth quarter.
New car buyers in the prime credit tier (661 to 780) take out the largest loans — $42,641, on average. Borrowers with credit scores in the tier above — superprime (781 to 850) — take out the most for used cars, $27,980, up from last quarter ($27,331).
Average auto loan amounts by credit score range
| New vehicles | Used vehicles | |
|---|---|---|
| All | $40,634 | $26,073 |
| 781 to 850 | $38,789 | $27,980 |
| 661 to 780 | $42,641 | $27,393 |
| 601 to 660 | $42,624 | $25,098 |
| 501 to 600 | $38,546 | $21,774 |
| 300 to 500 | $34,737 | $19,713 |
Source: Experian State of the Automotive Finance Market, Q1 2024.
Americans owe $1.616 trillion in auto loan debt
Overall vehicle debt has increased by 84.7% between the first quarter of 2014 ($875 billion) and the first quarter of 2024 ($1.616 trillion), according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
In those 10 years, the only dip came in the second quarter of 2020 — the first full quarter amid the pandemic.
Outstanding auto debt
| Quarter | Outstanding auto debt |
|---|---|
| 1Q 2014 | $875 billion |
| 2Q 2014 | $905 billion |
| 3Q 2014 | $934 billion |
| 4Q 2014 | $955 billion |
| 1Q 2015 | $968 billion |
| 2Q 2015 | $1.006 trillion |
| 3Q 2015 | $1.045 trillion |
| 4Q 2015 | $1.064 trillion |
| 1Q 2016 | $1.071 trillion |
| 2Q 2016 | $1.103 trillion |
| 3Q 2016 | $1.135 trillion |
| 4Q 2016 | $1.157 trillion |
| 1Q 2017 | $1.167 trillion |
| 2Q 2017 | $1.190 trillion |
| 3Q 2017 | $1.213 trillion |
| 4Q 2017 | $1.221 trillion |
| 1Q 2018 | $1.229 trillion |
| 2Q 2018 | $1.238 trillion |
| 3Q 2018 | $1.265 trillion |
| 4Q 2018 | $1.274 trillion |
| 1Q 2019 | $1.280 trillion |
| 2Q 2019 | $1.297 trillion |
| 3Q 2019 | $1.315 trillion |
| 4Q 2019 | $1.331 trillion |
| 1Q 2020 | $1.346 trillion |
| 2Q 2020 | $1.343 trillion |
| 3Q 2020 | $1.360 trillion |
| 4Q 2020 | $1.374 trillion |
| 1Q 2021 | $1.382 trillion |
| 2Q 2021 | $1.415 trillion |
| 3Q 2021 | $1.443 trillion |
| 4Q 2021 | $1.458 trillion |
| Q1 2022 | $1.469 trillion |
| Q2 2002 | $1.502 trillion |
| Q3 2022 | $1.524 trillion |
| Q4 2022 | $1.552 trillion |
| Q1 2023 | $1.562 trillion |
| Q2 2023 | $1.582 trillion |
| Q3 2023 | $1.595 trillion |
| Q4 2023 | $1.607 trillion |
| Q1 2024 | $1.616 trillion |
Source: New York Fed Consumer Credit Panel/Equifax data.
Auto loans account for 9.2% of American consumer debt
While mortgages take the lion’s share of American consumer debt at 70.3% — according to the New York Fed — auto loans account for 9.2%. Auto loan debt ($1.616 trillion) is ahead of student loan debt ($1.595 trillion) as of the first quarter of 2024.
Americans borrow $165.5 billion in first quarter of 2024
Americans took out $108.9 billion in auto loans in the first quarter of 2014. Ten years later in the first quarter of 2024, they borrowed far more: $165.5 billion, according to the New York Fed.
Here’s a quarterly look during this period:
Quarterly volume of auto loan originations
| Quarter | Auto loan originations |
|---|---|
| 1Q 2014 | $108.9 billion |
| 2Q 2014 | $125.9 billion |
| 3Q 2014 | $132.6 billion |
| 4Q 2014 | $125.5 billion |
| 1Q 2015 | $117.0 billion |
| 2Q 2015 | $148.3 billion |
| 3Q 2015 | $150.8 billion |
| 4Q 2015 | $131.5 billion |
| 1Q 2016 | $123.9 billion |
| 2Q 2016 | $148.9 billion |
| 3Q 2016 | $149.8 billion |
| 4Q 2016 | $142.0 billion |
| 1Q 2017 | $132.4 billion |
| 2Q 2017 | $148.4 billion |
| 3Q 2017 | $150.6 billion |
| 4Q 2017 | $137.2 billion |
| 1Q 2018 | $130.9 billion |
| 2Q 2018 | $151.2 billion |
| 3Q 2018 | $157.6 billion |
| 4Q 2018 | $144.3 billion |
| 1Q 2019 | $139.1 billion |
| 2Q 2019 | $155.6 billion |
| 3Q 2019 | $159.1 billion |
| 4Q 2019 | $158.6 billion |
| 1Q 2020 | $150.3 billion |
| 2Q 2020 | $135.9 billion |
| 3Q 2020 | $168.2 billion |
| 4Q 2020 | $161.6 billion |
| 1Q 2021 | $152.7 billion |
| 2Q 2021 | $201.9 billion |
| 3Q 2021 | $198.8 billion |
| 4Q 2021 | $180.5 billion |
| 1Q 2022 | $176.6 billion |
| 2Q 2002 | $198.8 billion |
| 3Q 2022 | $185.4 billion |
| 4Q 2022 | $186.2 billion |
| 1Q 2023 | $161.7 billion |
| 2Q 2023 | $179.0 billion |
| 3Q 2023 | $179.3 billion |
| 4Q 2023 | $164.9 billion |
| 1Q 2024 | $165.5 billion |
Source: New York Fed Consumer Credit Panel/Equifax data.
Americans in their 30s, 40s take out biggest auto loans
Americans in their 30s and 40s took out the largest auto loans in the first quarter of 2024, according to the New York Fed, borrowing $35.2 billion and $37.1 billion, respectively.
Those in their 50s borrowed billions less ($32.3 billion), followed by borrowers in their 60s at $22.6 billion. Young adults 18 to 29 borrow less than consumers in their 60s.
When you break it down over the first quarter of 2024, Americans younger than 50 took out $93.9 billion in auto debt. That compares with $67.1 billion for those 50 and older.
Americans with highest credit scores take out biggest auto loans
Meanwhile, those with the best credit scores borrow the most. In the first quarter of 2024, borrowers with credit scores of at least 720 took out $89.2 billion in auto loan debt. The remaining credit tiers accounted for $76.3 billion combined, according to the New York Fed.
Auto loan originations by credit score
| Less than 620 | 620 to 659 | 660 to 719 | 720 to 759 | 760+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2023 | $23.4 billion | $16.3 billion | $34.9 billion | $27.5 billion | $59.5 billion |
| Q2 2023 | $29.8 billion | $18.5 billion | $38.4 billion | $28.4 billion | $63.8 billion |
| Q3 2023 | $28.0 billion | $18.8 billion | $38.8 billion | $27.6 billion | $66.1 billion |
| Q4 2023 | $25.5 billion | $17.0 billion | $34.6 billion | $25.3 billion | $62.5 billion |
| Q1 2024 | $26.2 billion | $15.8 billion | $34.3 billion | $25.6 billion | $63.6 billion |
Source: New York Fed Consumer Credit Panel/Equifax data.
Average auto loan term shows it’s taking time to pay back these loans
The average auto loan term for new vehicles is 67.6 months, or less than six years, according to Experian. Used car loans, despite being significantly smaller on average, are close behind at 67.4 months.
Average term lengths by credit score range
| New vehicle loans | Used vehicle loans | New leased vehicles | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 67.6 months | 67.4 months | 36.1 months |
| 781 to 850 | 63.3 months | 65.5 months | 35.7 months |
| 661 to 780 | 70.9 months | 68.6 months | 36.4 months |
| 601 to 660 | 73.8 months | 68.3 months | 36.9 months |
| 501 to 600 | 73.1 months | 66.4 months | 36.7 months |
| 300 to 500 | 71.5 months | 63.7 months | Not available |
Source: Experian State of the Automotive Finance Market, Q1 2024.
But auto loans for new vehicles are stretching even longer — topping six years — for nonprime borrowers. Middle-tier credit borrowers with scores of 601 to 660 take out the longest new car loans, at an average of 73.8 months. Top-tier credit borrowers with scores of 781 to 850 have the shortest average new car loan term, at 63.3 months.
The average new car lease term is 36.1 months.
“That’s such a long time to be stuck paying for a depreciating asset,” LendingTree chief credit analyst Matt Schulz says. “It can have an enormous impact on a family’s finances. That money going toward a car payment isn’t earning interest and funding your emergency savings, your retirement nest egg, a mortgage down payment or your kid’s college fund. Yes, our vehicles are important. In much of the country, you can’t get around without one. And, yes, we love fancy new cars, even new-to-us cars. They’re fun to drive and show off. However, once that initial glow wears off and you’re still making a big monthly payment on that vehicle after five-plus years, it may not seem worth it.”
Auto loan delinquency rates still below peaks
According to data from the New York Fed, 90-day delinquency rates on auto loans peaked in the fourth quarter of 2010 at 5.3%, dropping to 4.4% as of the first quarter of 2024.
Meanwhile, the percentage of auto loans that fell to 30 days past due spiked to 10.9% back in the second quarter of 2009. However, it has stayed below 8.0% since 2011, decreasing to 7.9% in the first quarter of 2024.
Buyers turn to banks and captive lenders the most for auto financing
As of the first quarter of 2024, banks hold the highest market share, at 27.5%. Captive lenders (manufacturers’ financing arms) follow at 23.7%, with credit unions at 22.9%.
“Buy-here, pay-here” businesses, often known for predatory lending practices, capture up to 15.6% of the used car financing market. In the used car arena, captive lenders only claim 8.7%.
Schulz warns that buy-here, pay-here loans are dangerous. Not only can the sticker price be bigger, but the interest rates can look more like credit card rates than typical auto loan rates, and there may be extra fees. There may be an unusual payment schedule requiring you to pay more often than the typical monthly payment. Some places might even require you to put a tracking device on the car to make it easier to take back if you fall behind on payments.
In short, these should be among the last options you’d consider — but your credit score plays a role in what options are available to you.
“Good credit means more good options, and that’s a big deal,” Schulz says. “You must shop around. If you finance through the car seller, you’re very likely to overpay. Use sites to compare auto loan offers easily. You could also visit multiple lenders online on your own — consider looking at credit unions if you do. Once you’ve found a deal you’re happy with, get preapproved by the lender. That preapproval gives you leverage over the car seller because they know you won’t be happy with a bad financing offer.”
Sources
- Experian
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Federal Reserve Bank of New York