◆ ClearValue editorial analysis

The numbers behind this analysis

Rates split sharply by lender channel and vehicle age. The Federal Reserve's G.19 release measured 7.47% new auto loans (48-month term, at commercial banks) as of May 2026 — the latest published reading — while used-car loans financed through finance companies ran more than double that, 15.62% used car loans as of March 2026. A pre-approval from your own bank or credit union before you shop at the dealer is how you find out which side of that gap you land on.

Primary sources: Federal Reserve — G.19 Consumer Credit release

Analysis by the ClearValue Editorial Team, applying our published scoring methodology.

This analysis combines cited public data (Federal Reserve, FDIC, FTC, CFPB, SBA/USDA, NAIC, ICI, BLS) with ClearValue's own cost math and category comparison — it is not proprietary ClearValue portfolio data. Rates, APYs, fees, and program terms move; figures carry an as-of date and you should verify current numbers at the linked primary sources and with the provider before deciding. Educational information, not financial, legal, or tax advice.

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What auto lenders look for

◆ Credit tier to APR — rates swing widely by credit (10+ points)
◆ Payment-to-income — keep the car payment under about 10 to 15% of gross
◆ Down payment — 20% new / 10% used avoids negative equity
◆ Pre-approval — credit unions often beat dealer financing