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Westlake Financial auto loans: 2025 review

Written by
Denny Ceizyk
Edited by
Gabriela Walsh, CEPF

Updated on Dec 04, 2025

At a glance

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with Bankrate
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3.9
Rating: 3.9 stars out of 5
Bankrate Score
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Availability
Rating: 3.1 stars out of 5
3.1
Affordability
Rating: 3.8 stars out of 5
3.8
Customer Experience
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8
Transparency
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
4.0

About Bankrate Score

Full methodology

Bankrate’s take

Westlake Financial serves drivers looking to purchase and finance their next vehicle all in one place. The online marketplace encourages prequalification and offers loans for new and used vehicles. It partners with over 30,000 dealerships across all 50 states and offers indirect loans via these partnered dealerships.

Lender Details

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Loan amount

$5,000-$30,000

Rates Icon

APR from

4.99%-29.99%

Credit Good Icon

Min Credit Score

Not Specified

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Funds available in

Not Specified

Westlake Financial is best for rate-shopping with dealers

Westlake Financial takes the legwork out of finding a dealer loan with competitive terms. Instead of applying for financing with several lenders, simply submit a brief questionnaire and, if there’s a fit, view loan quotes from dealer partners. This means you can explore several auto loan options in a fraction of the time you’d spend searching for and applying directly with lenders. 

You can also shop for new or used vehicles through Westlake’s platform, making it a convenient all-in-one car-buying experience. With rates as low as 4.99 percent for qualified buyers, Westlake Financial auto loans may be more affordable than what competitors can offer.

Types of car loans that Westlake Financial offers

Westlake Financial offers indirect auto loans for new and used vehicles through its partnered dealers. According to Westlake’s website, you can get prequalified in minutes, though it’s unclear how long offers are good for. 

New auto loans Used auto loans
APR 4.99%- 29.99% Not Specified
Loan amounts $5,000-$30,000 $5,000-$30,000
Loan terms 48 months-72 months 48 months-72 months

New auto loans 

Westlake’s maximum loan amount of $30,000 is a bit low for a new car, especially as average prices are nearly $50,000, according to Kelley Blue Book. A rate below 5 percent is competitive, but keep in mind that only highly qualified borrowers will secure an APR that low. 

Used auto loans 

Westlake has the option to filter for used and certified pre-owned vehicles. Used auto loans have the same loan amount limits and terms as new ones. . However, Kelley Blue Book reports that the average used car would set you back just over $25,000 as of March 2025. This makes the $30,000 loan limit from Westlake a lot more realistic. 

Westlake does carry some restrictions for its used vehicles: mileage below 120,000 and no vehicles older than 10 years. However, this is more generous than rules put in place by some other lenders.

Where Westlake Financial stands out

  • Flexible acceptance criteria: Most lenders focus on a borrower's creditworthiness. This can make it challenging for those with less-than-perfect credit to secure a good rate. Westlake, though, factors in each applicant’s education, employment history and credit. 
  • Check your rate with no credit impact: The company lets you gauge your approval odds and check your rate before you actually apply.
  • Compare offers: Borrowing from a loan marketplace like Westlake Financial makes it seamless to compare offers from multiple dealerships.

Where Westlake Financial falls short

  • Limited vehicle choices: Unlike some lenders that allow you to use funds at any dealership, Westlake has some restrictions. Financing is only available for vehicles found at dealerships that the lender partners with. 
  • Indirect lender: To finalize your auto loan, you must go to a dealership in person. This is a downside for a borrower who prefers a seamless online transaction.
  • Poor customer service reviews: The lender has consistently poor reviews online. Many of the complaints found on the Better Business Bureau’s website reference extra fees, extreme interest rates and poor communication. 

Westlake Financial customer resources

Customer support

Westlake Financial’s customer service team can be reached over the phone Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. PST and Saturday and Sunday from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. at (888) 739-9192.

Digital experience 

Customers handle most of the shopping and financing process on the Westlake Financial website. It is fairly easy to navigate and allows you to search dealer inventory in your area online. This streamlines the shopping experience and should be easy even for less tech-savvy borrowers.

However, after receiving your final offer, you’ll have to print it out and take it to the dealership in person to complete the purchase.

How this lender compares

Westlake Financial vs. myAutoLoan

Unlike Westlake Financial, myAutoLoan does not partner with dealerships to offer auto loan financing. Instead, it’s an online marketplace that matches you with lenders based on your financial profile. You can use the platform loan quotes and decide which is best for you before formally applying. 

Like Westlake, myAutoLoan offers loans for new and used car purchases, but they also offer refinancing and lease buyouts. Rates start at a competitive 4.99 percent for new car loans. You can use myAutoLoan to find direct lenders in minutes, and there’s no impact on your credit score. If approved, you’ll get a check or online certificate to go shopping at the dealership of your choice in as soon as 24 hours. 

Westlake Financial vs. Autopay 

Autopay is another online lending marketplace. It features lending partners specializing in financing solutions for consumers with various financial backgrounds. 

You can get financing to purchase or refinance a vehicle, buy out a lease or pull cash from your car’s equity. Similar to Westlake Financial, auto loans are available to consumers with all types of credit backgrounds. The maximum loan amount is $100,000, giving you even more purchasing power. Some loans also offer no payments for 45 days, which is a nice perk.

Read a full comparison of Westlake Financial vs. Autopay

Do you qualify for a Westlake Financial auto loan?

Westlake Financial does not list any requirements regarding income or credit score. But unless your credit is at least fair, you may be stuck with a high APR (annual percentage rate). 

  • Must make a minimum down payment of 10 percent.
  • Vehicle must have less than 120,000 miles. 
  • Vehicle cannot be older than 10 years.
  • Have a lower loan-to-value ratio (LTV) than 110 percent.
  • Minimum monthly payment is $250.  

How to get a Westlake Financial auto loan

Westlake Financial functions as an indirect lender. While you will prequalify for the loan online, you must go to a dealership to finalize the deal in person. To apply for an auto loan, follow these three steps.  

  1. Apply for prequalification. First, apply for loan prequalification on its website by entering personal information, including your name, date of birth, contact information, address and employment status. This step will not affect your credit.
  2. Search for vehicles. Next, you can search for your vehicle directly through the online marketplace, which shares vehicles in your area based on budget and price range. You can also narrow your search criteria to monthly payment or type of vehicle.
  3. Finalize financing. Finally, you will receive a financing offer and go to one of the participating dealerships with the offer in hand. After you are fully approved for the loan and your purchase is finalized, you can begin payments either online, by check or via the phone. 

How Bankrate rates Westlake Financial

Overall score 3.9
Availability 3.1 The dealership requirement and low maximum loan amount leave Westlake with a middling availability rating.
Affordability 3.8 Westlake Financial has a low starting APR and middle-of-the-road maximum.
Customer experience 4.8 An unspecified shopping window combined with poor online reviews are balanced by long customer service hours and easy loan management.
Transparency 4 You won’t find fees clearly listed on Westlake’s site, but the option to prequalify increases the score.

Methodology

Bankrate's trusted auto loans industry expertise

Read our full methodology

48

years in business

26

lenders reviewed

20

loan features weighed

520

data points collected

The Bankrate team uses a 20-point system to evaluate auto loan lenders across four main categories.

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.