Do you need good credit to qualify for a loan with Autopay?

Some lenders in Autopay’s extensive network cater to borrowers with lower credit scores. Generally, good or excellent credit is required to get the best deal on auto financing.

Can you apply with a co-applicant to increase your chances of getting approved?

Yes, Autopay allows applicants to add a co-signer to strengthen their approval odds. The person you add should have a solid credit history and a consistent, verifiable source of income to give you the best chance at getting approved.

Does Autopay offer vehicle service contracts to borrowers?

Yes, you can purchase a vehicle service contract when you take out a new loan or refinance your existing one. This form of protection helps prevent you from incurring hefty maintenance and repair costs. Some vehicle service contracts also feature roadside assistance coverage.

Autopay: 2023 auto loan review

Published 2023-07-10 00:00:00

Written by

Allison Martin

Edited by

Helen Wilbers

At a glance

4.2

Bankrate Score

Availability
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
Affordability
Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
Customer Experience
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Transparency
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Compare auto loan rates

See Rates

About Autopay

Loan amount

$2,500-$100,000
Min. credit score

Not specified
APR from

4.67%
Funds available in

As little as one business day

Autopay auto loans are best for drawing on your car’s equity

Is your car worth more than what you owe on it? Autopay offers cash-out refinancing, meaning you’ll have the option of drawing on your car’s equity and taking out extra money. You’ll have to pay interest on the extra sum, but if you have another high-interest debt you want to pay off, Autopay’s competitive rates could make this type of loan a smart move.

While this loan product isn’t unique to Autopay — some competitors, like RefiJet, also offer cash-out refinancing — it helps this lender stand out.

Autopay pros and cons

There are some key benefits and drawbacks of Autopay auto loans to consider before applying.

PROS

Convenient
Long maximum term
Perfect credit not required

CONS

Lack of transparency around maximum APR
Down payment
Possible loan origination fee

Autopay is an online lending marketplace that helps consumers find the best deal on auto loan financing. You can view potential loan offers from lenders in their network in minutes without impacting your credit score. If there’s a match, the application process is streamlined so you can quickly finalize your new auto loan, minus all the hassle.

Do you qualify?

Autopay doesn’t specify lending requirements on its website. However, you will need to provide specific vehicle details when you formally apply with a lender to receive full approval. Or you can get prequalified in minutes using the online form to view potential loan offers. The form is simple to complete, and getting prequalified won’t impact your credit score.

Autopay vs. PNC

PNC is a bank offering purchase and refinance loans. PNC excels for people who prefer an in-person experience thanks to its large network of branches. It also stands out for its Total Auto program, which makes it easy to search for vehicles in your area.

However, its loans can be pricier than Autopay’s for people who have great credit. It also has a higher minimum loan at $7,500, which may be a drawback for people who only need a small loan.

Autopay vs. LightStream

Like Autopay, LightStream is an online lender that helps refinance or buy cars. Like Autopay, LightStream excels at fast funding, offering loans in as little as a single day. However, it also has a higher minimum APR, which means those with great credit will likely get a better deal from Autopay. On the other hand, unlike Autopay, LightStream offers unsecured auto loans — meaning your car won’t immediately be repossessed if you default.

What we like and what we don’t like

Consider these benefits and drawbacks of an auto loan with Autopay before signing off on an application.

What we like

Convenient: You can explore loan options from multiple banks, credit unions and online lenders with a single streamlined application and without hurting your credit score.
Long maximum term: Autopay’s maximum term length, 96 months, exceeds that of most competitors. Extending your loan term for a lower payment is tempting, but remember that a longer term means more interest paid over time.
Perfect credit not required: You could qualify for an auto loan with a lender in the Autopay network even if you have less than perfect credit.

What we don’t like

Lack of transparency around maximum APR: Autopay’s minimum interest rate of 4.67 percent is only available to well-qualified borrowers with excellent credit.
Down payment: Some applicants must put cash down to secure a new car loan. However, down payments aren’t required for auto loan refinancing.
Possible loan origination fee: Autopay’s website notes that you may face a loan origination fee, depending on your state of residence. The fee’s amount is not stated.

How to contact Autopay

If you’re interested in applying for an auto loan with Autopay, visit the website to submit an online inquiry or contact customer service by phone. Customer support is available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. MT and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT. You can also connect with a representative via text message.

Auto loan types offered

The lenders in the Autopay network offer auto purchase loans and three types of refinancing.

New and used car loans

Amounts: $2,500-$100,000
Terms: 24-96 months
APR: From 4.67%

If you’re in the market for a new ride, you can work with Autopay to find the perfect auto loan for your financial situation. Like most online lenders, Autopay allows you to view your possible rates without taking a credit hit by prequalifying. The 30-day prequalification period allows you to shop with confidence at the dealership and avoid spending hours sitting around waiting for the finance department to approve your loan.

Traditional refinancing

Amounts: $2,500-$100,000
Terms: 24-96 months
APR: From 4.67%

Whether you want to lower your monthly auto loan payments or secure a lower interest rate, refinancing with a lender in the Autopay network may help you meet your goal. You can also go this route to shorten your loan term and pay off your car loan faster. Refinancing rates tend to mirror used car loan rates, but Autopay’s stated minimum rate falls well below the national average of over 11 percent.

Cash out refinancing

Amounts: $2,500-$100,000
Terms: 24-96 months
APR: From 4.67%

If you want to draw on your vehicle’s equity, cash-back refinancing could be a viable option. You can receive up to $12,000 in cash and use the funds however you see fit. Some borrowers opt to pay off high-interest debt and free up funds for other financial goals.

Lease buyout

Amounts: $2,500-$100,000
Terms: 24-96 months
APR: From 4.67%

This financing option can help you keep your leased vehicle when the lease term is up. Or you could pay off your lease early. Plus, you can avoid excess mileage fees if you’ve exceeded the limit specified in the lease agreement.

How to apply for a loan with Autopay

After gathering the necessary documents, fill out Autopay’s application form, which does not require a hard credit check. Autopay will shop your information to lenders in its network and present potential auto loan offers to you if there’s a match. If you decide to move forward, the lender will pull your credit and review supporting documents before issuing full approval.

- Driver’s license
- Proof of insurance
- Proof of income
- Proof of residence
- A payoff letter (if refinancing)
- Additional documents as needed by your lender match

Features and additional perks

Hopeful borrowers with imperfect credit can add a co-signer to improve their odds of approval or land a better rate.

Once you’re approved for a loan, Autopay lets you add extras like gap insurance or a vehicle service contract. These add-ons are fairly common among lenders and can also be purchased separately, so make sure to compare pricing before tacking them onto your loan.

Fees and penalties

Like most lending marketplaces, Autopay doesn’t list specific fees on its website, aside from noting a possible loan origination fee. Each lender it works with may have different fees, so it’s important to read the fine print of any offer you receive. However, unlike some competitors, Autopay doesn’t appear to charge a processing fee to match you with its network of lenders.

Autopay FAQs

Some lenders in Autopay’s extensive network cater to borrowers with lower credit scores. Generally, good or excellent credit is required to get the best deal on auto financing.
Yes, Autopay allows applicants to add a co-signer to strengthen their approval odds. The person you add should have a solid credit history and a consistent, verifiable source of income to give you the best chance at getting approved.
Yes, you can purchase a vehicle service contract when you take out a new loan or refinance your existing one. This form of protection helps prevent you from incurring hefty maintenance and repair costs. Some vehicle service contracts also feature roadside assistance coverage.

How Bankrate rates Autopay

Overall score	4.2
Availability	4.6	Autopay’s wide network of lenders allows for wide coverage in the areas of loan amounts, state availability and terms. It also doesn’t have dealership restrictions.
Affordability	3.5	Affordability will vary based on the lender you’re matched with, which means Autopay falls toward the middle of the road.
Customer experience	4	Autopay offers customer service six days a week, full online access and a shopping period of 30 days, earning it a higher customer service score.
Transparency	4.5	Fees and rates are only partially available on Autopay’s website, but prequalification availability bumps its score up.

Methodology

Bankrate considers 18 data points when selecting top auto loans. 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.