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Average Car Payment and Auto Loan Statistics: 2025

Maggie Davis
Written by Maggie Davis
Dan Shepard
Edited by Dan Shepard
Updated on: June 17, 2025 Content was accurate at the time of publication.
We are committed to providing accurate content that helps you make informed money decisions. Our partners have not commissioned or endorsed this content. Read our editorial guidelines here.

The average car payment for new vehicles was $745 per month in the first quarter of 2025, up 1.1% from Q1 2024. Meanwhile, average car payments for used and leased vehicles decreased by 0.6% and 0.5%, respectively, over the same period.

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 2025 roundup of auto loan statistics.

  • Average car payments for new vehicles increased, while used and leased vehicle payments declined year over year. Average car payments for new vehicles increased by 1.1%, according to Q1 2025 Experian data. In the same period, average car payments for used and leased vehicles decreased by 0.6% and 0.5%, respectively. That puts average monthly car payments at $745, $521 and $595, respectively.
  • The price of used cars and trucks increased. Used car and truck prices are up 1.8% year over year, according to the May 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) consumer price index, while new vehicle prices have risen 0.4%. Americans borrow an average of $41,720 for new vehicles and $26,144 for used vehicles, according to Experian.
  • Auto loan debt is the second-largest category behind mortgages. Overall, Americans owe $1.642 trillion in auto loan debt, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, accounting for 9.0% of American consumer debt.
  • Americans took out $165.6 billion in new auto loans in Q1 2025. By age, Americans ages 18 to 49 took out $95.5 billion in auto debt during the quarter, according to the New York Fed, compared with $66.0 billion among those 50 and older.
  • Americans are taking many years to pay back their auto loans. The average auto loan term is 68.6 months for new cars, 67.2 months for used cars and 35.9 months for leased vehicles, according to Experian.
  • Auto loan delinquency rates are up compared to a year ago. 5.0% of outstanding auto debt was at least 90 days late in Q1 2025, according to the New York Fed, up 13.2% from Q1 2024. Meanwhile, the percentage of auto loans that fell to 30 days past due was 8.0% in Q1 2025, up 0.6% from 7.9% in Q1 2024.
  • Borrowers with prime or super-prime credit scores are responsible for the majority of retail vehicle financing. Borrowers with credit scores of 661 and higher account for 68.8% of retail vehicle financing, according to Experian, versus 16.2% for borrowers with credit scores of 600 or lower.
  • The most popular vehicle models consumers considered buying on the LendingTree platform in Q1 2025 were the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Toyota RAV4. The Ford F-150 maintained the No. 1 spot for the fifth quarter in a row.

Average monthly car payments for new vehicles increase slightly year over year

The average car payment for a new vehicle is $745 monthly, according to Q1 2025 Experian data — up 1.1% year over year. Used cars have an average monthly payment of $521, down 0.6% over the same period. Meanwhile, new lease payments average $595, a 0.5% year-over-year decrease.

Annual changes in average monthly car payments

Vehicle type2024 payments2025 paymentsDifference ($)Difference (%)
New vehicles$737$745$81.1%
Used vehicles$524$521-$3-0.6%
New vehicle leases$598$595-$3-0.5%
Source: Experian State of the Automotive Finance Market, Q1 2024 and Q1 2025.

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 $784 and $762, respectively.

Average monthly car payments by credit score range

Credit score rangeNew vehiclesUsed vehiclesNew leased vehicles
All$745$521$595
781 to 850 (super-prime)$727$523$595
661 to 780 (prime)$753$510$590
601 to 660 (nonprime)$784$527$610
501 to 600 (subprime)$762$533$609
300 to 500 (deep subprime)$736$532Not available
Source: Experian State of the Automotive Finance Market, Q1 2025.

Tip

You can use the LendingTree auto loan calculator to estimate your monthly car payment.

Used car and truck prices increase slightly

The used car market wasn’t friendlier to consumers as used car and truck prices increased by 1.8% year over year, per the May 2025 BLS consumer price index.

Meanwhile, new vehicle prices increased by 0.4% year over year — similar to the 1.1% increase in the average new car payment over the past year.

Average auto loan amounts for new vehicles remain above $41,000

Average auto loan amounts reached $41,720 for new vehicles and $26,144 for used vehicles in Q1 2025, according to Experian. New vehicle loan amounts rose from an average of $41,572 in the prior quarter, while used vehicle loan amounts dipped from $26,468.

New car buyers in the prime credit tier (661 to 780) take out the largest loans — $44,082, on average. Borrowers with credit scores in the tier above — super-prime (781 to 850) — take out the most for used cars, $28,532, down from $28,712 the prior quarter.

Average auto loan amounts by credit score range

Credit score rangeNew vehiclesUsed vehicles
All$41,720$26,144
781 to 850$39,854$28,532
661 to 780$44,082$27,491
601 to 660$43,883$25,010
501 to 600$38,851$21,683
300 to 500$34,762$19,892
Source: Experian State of the Automotive Finance Market, Q1 2025.

Americans owe $1.642 trillion in auto loan debt

Overall vehicle debt has increased by 69.6% between Q1 2015 ($968 billion) and Q1 2025 ($1.642 trillion), according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Until this quarter, the only dip in that period came in Q2 2020 — the first full quarter amid the pandemic.

Outstanding auto loan debt ($ billions).

Outstanding auto debt

QuarterOutstanding auto debt
Q1 2015$968 billion
Q2 2015$1.006 trillion
Q3 2015$1.045 trillion
Q4 2015$1.064 trillion
Q1 2016$1.071 trillion
Q2 2016$1.103 trillion
Q3 2016$1.135 trillion
Q4 2016$1.157 trillion
Q1 2017$1.167 trillion
Q2 2017$1.190 trillion
Q3 2017$1.213 trillion
Q4 2017$1.221 trillion
Q1 2018$1.229 trillion
Q2 2018$1.238 trillion
Q3 2018$1.265 trillion
Q4 2018$1.274 trillion
Q1 2019$1.280 trillion
Q2 2019$1.297 trillion
Q3 2019$1.315 trillion
Q4 2019$1.331 trillion
Q1 2020$1.346 trillion
Q2 2020$1.343 trillion
Q3 2020$1.360 trillion
Q4 2020$1.374 trillion
Q1 2021$1.382 trillion
Q2 2021$1.415 trillion
Q3 2021$1.443 trillion
Q4 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
Q2 2024$1.626 trillion
Q3 2024$1.644 trillion
Q4 2024$1.655 trillion
Q1 2025$1.642 trillion
Source: New York Fed Consumer Credit Panel/Equifax data.

Auto loans account for 9.0% 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 9.0%. Auto loan debt ($1.642 trillion) is ahead of student loan debt ($1.631 trillion) as of Q1 2025.

Distribution of American consumer debt.

Americans borrow $165.6 billion in Q1 2025

Americans took out $117.0 billion in auto loans in Q1 2015. Ten years later in Q1 2025, they borrowed far more: $165.6 billion, according to the New York Fed.

Here’s a quarterly look during this period.

Quarterly volume of auto loan originations

QuarterAuto loan originations
Q1 2015$117.0 billion
Q2 2015$148.3 billion
Q3 2015$150.8 billion
Q4 2015$131.5 billion
Q1 2016$123.9 billion
Q2 2016$148.9 billion
Q3 2016$149.8 billion
Q4 2016$142.0 billion
Q1 2017$132.4 billion
Q2 2017$148.4 billion
Q3 2017$150.6 billion
Q4 2017$137.2 billion
Q1 2018$130.9 billion
Q2 2018$151.2 billion
Q3 2018$157.6 billion
Q4 2018$144.3 billion
Q1 2019$139.1 billion
Q2 2019$155.6 billion
Q3 2019$159.1 billion
Q4 2019$158.6 billion
Q1 2020$150.3 billion
Q2 2020$135.9 billion
Q3 2020$168.2 billion
Q4 2020$161.6 billion
Q1 2021$152.7 billion
Q2 2021$201.9 billion
Q3 2021$198.8 billion
Q4 2021$180.5 billion
Q1 2022$176.6 billion
Q2 2002$198.8 billion
Q3 2022$185.4 billion
Q4 2022$186.2 billion
Q1 2023$161.7 billion
Q2 2023$179.0 billion
Q3 2023$179.3 billion
Q4 2023$164.9 billion
Q1 2024$165.5 billion
Q2 2024$179.1 billion
Q3 2024$184.2 billion
Q4 2024$175.1 billion
Q1 2025$165.6 billion
Source: New York Fed Consumer Credit Panel/Equifax data.

Americans in their 40s, 30s take out biggest auto loans

Americans in their 40s and 30s took out the largest auto loans in Q1 2025, according to the New York Fed, borrowing $36.3 billion and $36.2 billion, respectively.

Those in their 50s borrowed billions less ($31.1 billion), and those in their 60s borrowed $22.8 billion. Young adults 18 to 29 borrowed more ($23.0 billion) than consumers in their 60s.

Auto loan quarterly originations by borrower age ($ billions).

When combined, Americans ages 18 to 49 took out $95.5 billion in auto debt in Q1 2025. That compares with $66.0 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 Q1 2025, borrowers with credit scores of at least 720 took out $92.9 billion in auto loan debt. The remaining credit tiers accounted for $72.6 billion combined, according to the New York Fed.

Auto loan originations by credit score

QuarterLess than 620620 to 659660 to 719720 to 759760+
Q1 2024$26.2 billion$15.8 billion$34.3 billion$25.6 billion$63.6 billion
Q2 2024$30.0 billion$18.7 billion$36.6 billion$28.3 billion$65.6 billion
Q3 2024$31.2 billion$18.2 billion$37.3 billion$28.6 billion$69.0 billion
Q4 2024$28.3 billion$17.2 billion$36.2 billion$27.7 billion$65.7 billion
Q1 2025$25.7 billion$14.0 billion$32.9 billion$24.8 billion$68.1 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 68.6 months, or less than six years, according to Experian. Used car loans, despite being significantly smaller on average, are close behind at 67.2 months.

Average term lengths by credit score range

Credit score rangeNew vehicle loansUsed vehicle loansNew leased vehicles
All68.667.235.9
781 to 85064.365.735.3
661 to 78071.968.536.3
601 to 66074.868.236.9
501 to 60073.966.136.7
300 to 50072.563.8Not available
Source: Experian State of the Automotive Finance Market, Q1 2025.

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 74.8 months. Top-tier credit borrowers with scores of 781 to 850 have the shortest average new car loan term, at 64.3 months.

“That’s such a long time to be stuck paying for a depreciating asset,” LendingTree chief consumer finance 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.”

The average new car lease term is 35.9 months.

Auto loan delinquency rates still below peaks

According to data from the New York Fed, 90-day delinquency rates on auto loans peaked in Q4 2010 at 5.3%, dropping to 5.0% as of Q1 2025.

Meanwhile, the percentage of auto loans that fell to 30 days past due spiked to 10.9% in Q2 2009. Dating to 2011, it remained at or below 8.0% until it rose to 8.1% in Q3 and Q4 2024, before falling back to 8.0% in Q1 2025.

Auto loan delinquency rates (percentage of outstanding debt).

Buyers turn to banks, credit unions the most for auto financing

As of Q1 2025, banks hold the highest market share, at 29.1%, followed by credit unions at 23.7% and captive lenders (manufacturers’ financing arms) at 21.1%.

Buy-here, pay-here” businesses, often known for predatory lending practices, capture up to 15.5% of the used car financing market. In the used car arena, captive lenders only claim 7.4%.

Percentage of loans by lender type.

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 offer.”

Sources

  • Experian
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • Federal Reserve Bank of New York 
  • LendingTree
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