Is it better to finance a car through a bank or dealership?
Should you get a car loan through a bank or a dealer? It depends on several factors.
6 min read
Mar 13, 2025
Rebecca Betterton
Writer, Auto Loans and Personal Loans
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4Years of experience
EXPERTISE
- Auto Loans
- Personal loans
- Personal finance
- Budgeting
EDUCATION
- Certified Financial Education Instructor℠, National Financial Educators Council
- Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communications, Elon University
About the author
Rebecca Betterton, a Certified Financial Education Instructor℠, is a writer for Bankrate who has been reporting on auto loans since 2021. Through her writing, Rebecca aims to provide clarity and accessibility to the automotive loans industry as the cost of financing new and used vehicles continues to climb due to steep inflation.
She specializes in assisting readers in navigating the ins and outs of securely borrowing money to purchase a car, but recently widened her scope to cover personal loans and other debt topics. Prior to her time at Bankrate, she was a social media reporter and copywriter.
When Rebecca isn’t researching recent trends in personal finance, she is an avid runner and a lover of interior design.
Rebecca beyond Bankrate
Rebecca wants you to know
Rebecca understands the anxiety that comes with heading to a dealership. She is passionate about empowering readers to make informed financial decisions in the showroom through focused advice and guidance. Outside of that, she has spent the last year researching EV financing and trends to make it more accessible for all sorts of drivers.
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Student loan debt statistics
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Preapproved auto loans: What they are and why to get one
Learn how you can save time and money by getting preapproved for an auto loan.
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Ally auto loan refinancing: 2024 review
Ally is a direct lender that offers a streamlined digital auto financing experience for individuals looking to refinance their current vehicle or buy out their lease.
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Why you shouldn’t roll over your car loan
Rolling over your car loan increases the negative equity of your vehicle.
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What does it mean if your debt is charged off as bad debt?
When a debt has been charged off, that doesn’t mean it’s wiped away.
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Do you pay sales tax on a used car?
Expect to pay sales tax on your used car unless you live in one of 5 states.
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