At a glance
- Availability
- Affordability
- Customer Experience
- Transparency
About Auto Credit Express
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Loan amount
$5,000 to $45,000
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Min. credit score
Not specified
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APR from
Varies by lender
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Funds available in
As soon as the day you apply
Auto Credit Express: 2023 auto loan review
Published 2023-06-15 00:00:00
Auto Credit Express auto loans are best for bad credit borrowers
Although car financing is available for borrowers with varying credit backgrounds, Auto Credit Express has tailored solutions for bad credit borrowers. If you have little to no credit history or have faced challenges getting approved for an auto loan due to a prior or current bankruptcy, you could be in luck with Auto Credit Express.
Auto Credit Express features
Auto Credit Express makes vehicle ownership possible for those with poor credit but can carry steep rates.
PROS
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Bad credit loans
Encourages co-signers
Low monthly income requirement
CONS
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Limited vehicle inventory
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Limited transparency
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Limited customer support
Auto Credit Express serves as a lender marketplace primarily serving drivers with poor credit, no credit and those who have been denied previously due to bankruptcy. Its mission is to help drivers secure loans from a reputable dealer even with less than perfect credit.
Auto Credit Express works with over 4,000 dealers across the country to fit every driver's needs for new, used and refinance loans.
Do you qualify?
The specific requirements vary depending on the lender, but Auto Credit Express outlines the primary expectations when applying for a bad credit loan.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Proof of at least $1,500 in monthly income.
- Address and proof of residency.
- Three years of employment history without major gaps
- Full-time employment for at least six months or other fixed income
- Able to acquire auto insurance
- Six to eight personal references
You can also expect to pay a down payment of at least $1,000 or 10 percent of the selling price of the vehicle.
Auto Credit Express vs. CarsDirect
CarsDirect also specializes in helping credit-challenged borrowers get auto loan financing. Like Auto Credit Express, it connects you with a dealer from its network to find the perfect ride and secure a car loan. But CarsDirect offers a slight edge over Auto Credit Express: You can search for vehicles by make and model directly from the website or check for deals in your local area.
Auto Credit Express vs. Fifth Third Bank
Fifth Third Bank is a direct lender offering new and used auto loans along with auto loan refinancing. Plus, you could be eligible for a 0.25 percent discount on your current loan if it wasn’t originated with Fifth Third Bank. Unfortunately, there is no online prequalification tool, and loans are limited to consumers in select states. See our full comparison between the two lenders for more details.
What we like and what we don’t like
Weigh the advantages and disadvantages of a loan with Auto Credit Express prior to submitting an application.
What we like
- Specialize in bad credit loans. Auto Credit Express partners directly with bad credit lenders to help credit challenged consumers access auto loans.
- Encourages co-signers. Adding a co-signer will help bad credit drivers receive competitive rates.
- Low monthly income requirement. Auto Credit Express as a minimum monthly income requirement of $1,500.
What we don't like
- Limited vehicle inventory. You will be stuck with vehicles from partnering dealerships.
- Low transparency. There is no information about potential APRs on its website.
- Limited customer support. Assistance is only available on the weekdays.
How to contact Auto Credit Express
Customer support is available via an online contact form or on the phone at 855-439-0814. Agents are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET.
Auto loan types offered
Auto Credit Express offers loans for buying new or used vehicles and refinancing. Financing is available from $5,000 to $45,000. The average new car price in May 2023 was $48,528, so you may need to make a larger down payment or seek other financing alternatives if you’re planning to purchase a more expensive vehicle.
New and used auto loans
- Amounts: $5,000 to $45,000
- Terms: 36 to 72 months
- APR: Varies by lender
If you are looking to finance a new or used vehicle, Auto Credit Express offers options through its lender network. Rates and terms vary but available loans cater directly to drivers with good, bad or no credit history at all. If you are buying new you will be limited to inventory from Auto Credit Express’s partnered dealerships.
Refinance
- Amounts: $5,000 to $45,000
- Terms: 36 to 72 months
- APR: Varies by lender
Refinancing your current auto loan can be a great option to lower your monthly payment and adjust your rate. Although Auto Credit Express does not disclose specific credit requirements, its website states that most lenders approve drivers with “good” or above average credit. So, while Auto Credit Express specializes in bad credit loans, refi caters more to drivers with better credit.
How to apply for a loan with Auto Credit Express
An application with Auto Credit Express can be done fully online or via the phone. It will likely take just three minutes and you can be matched with a dealer within 24 hours of your application.
Once you are matched with a lender you will receive a phone call from a local dealership if you are buying new or used. Then, you will then be able to choose your vehicle. While Auto Credit Express doesn’t pull your credit report, the lender you’re matched with likely will, resulting in a hard inquiry.
Features and additional perks
Military auto loans are available to members of the armed forces, including active duty personnel, reservists, retirees and their immediate families. Auto Credit Express partners with lenders who offer specialized resources to military personnel. Borrowers often enjoy rate discounts, extended repayment terms, lower down payment requirements, specialized discounts and other incentives. Plus, eligibility guidelines are generally less stringent compared to traditional auto loans.
Fees and penalties
It’s free to apply online with Auto Credit Express. However, the website does not disclose fees or penalties as it varies by lender. As with any transaction involving financing, it’s vital to read the fine print to learn more about costs you could incur when taking out and managing an auto loan.
Auto Credit Express FAQs
How Bankrate rates Auto Credit Express
Overall score 3.6 Availability 4.1 While new, used and refi loans are available, the dealership requirement and middle-tier loan amounts produce a lower score. Affordability 3.2 Acceptance criteria cater to poor credit drivers but with rates and terms varying by the lender, affordability is tough to measure. Customer experience 3 The combination of limited hours and poor online reviews, customer service slants lower. Transparency 4 Auto Credit Express lacks transparency around its rates and terms, but does provide prequalification. Methodology
Bankrate considers 18 data points when rating auto loan lenders. Acceptance criteria, whether rates and fees are available and APR range all influence lender scores. These scores are broken up into four categories.
- Availability: Loan amounts, repayment options, dealership requirements and state availability all contribute to this category.
- Affordability: This section houses APR ranges, acceptance criteria, fees and discounts.
- Customer experience: How long you have to shop, customer service availability, whether there’s an app and autopay availability are accounted for in this section.
- Transparency: This category accounts for the availability of fees and rates along with whether prequalification is available.
Editorial disclosure: All reviews are prepared by Bankrate.com staff. Opinions expressed therein are solely those of the reviewer and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including rates and fees, presented in the review is accurate as of the date of the review. Check the data at the top of this page and the lender’s website for the most current information.