Many or all companies we feature compensate us. Compensation and editorial research influence how products appear on a page. Auto Loans Capital One Auto Loans Review Updated Oct 28, 2024 10-min read Reviewed by Timothy Moore, CFEI® Reviewed by Timothy Moore, CFEI® Expertise: Bank accounts, credit cards, taxes, insurance, personal loans Timothy Moore is a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI®) specializing in bank accounts, student loans, taxes, and insurance. His passion is helping readers navigate life on a tight budget. Learn more about Timothy Moore, CFEI® 3.3 /5 View Rates Auto loan Seamless application process Car shopping online Easy loan management Loans limited to dealers in network No loans in Hawaii or Alaska Stringent vehicle restrictions Rates (APR)Not disclosedLoan amounts$4,000 – $100,000Repayment terms36, 48, 60, or 72 months Auto loan refinanceView Rates Seamless application process Flexible loan amounts Easy loan management No loans in Hawaii or Alaska Stringent vehicle restrictions Can’t refinance Capital One loans Rates (APR)Not disclosedLoan amounts$7,500 – $75,000Repayment termsNot disclosed Capital One is one of the world’s best online banks, but its auto loans and auto loan refinances fall short of the mark. The good? Capital One offers a one-stop shop for online car shopping and prequalifying for a car loan (or car loan refinance). But while the online process is smooth and helpful, Capital One doesn’t publish many details, including rates and minimum credit score requirements, online. Plus, the types of vehicles you can finance (or refinance) are limited, and Capital One only works with specific dealerships in its program, which further limits the cars you can get approved for. In our Capital One auto finance review, we’ll explore the pros and cons of financing and refinancing with Capital One—and see how it compares to other auto lenders. Table of Contents Skip to Section Capital One auto loansCapital One auto refinancePros and consHow to applyFAQ How does Capital One auto financing work? Capital One auto loans has a straightforward online process that’s available to borrowers even if they don’t bank with Capital One. All in one go, you can visit Capital One Auto Navigator, shop for new and used vehicles, and prequalify with Capital One without a hard credit check. You’ll take your prequalified offer to the car dealership (matched to the car you select online), test drive the car, and, if you like it, move forward with a true credit application. The dealer will finalize the Capital One offer (which may not match the prequalification offer), and the dealer might also show you other offers you’re eligible for. Tip Keep in mind that Capital One works with a select network of dealerships, so you aren’t seeing every new and used car in your area when you shop with Capital One Auto Navigator. Capital One rates, borrowing limits, and fees Capital One is tight-lipped when it comes to terms and eligibility requirements for its car loans, which can feel frustrating. But you can prequalify in minimal time and without an impact on your credit score. A highlight for Capital One: No origination fees apply at the start of the loan, and you won’t face prepayment penalties if paying your car off early. The $4,000 minimum loan amount is also appealing if you’re looking to buy an older used car; many other lenders have higher minimum loan amounts. TermDetailsRatesNot disclosedLoan amounts$4,000 –o $100,000Repayment terms36, 48, 60, or 72 monthsAvailability48 contiguous United StatesFeesNo origination fee or prepayment penaltiesUnique featuresShop for cars online through Capital One Who’s eligible for a car loan from Capital One? Capital One auto finance deals are open to more than just Capital One customers, but that’s where the inclusivity stops. Qualifying for an auto loan through Capital One can be challenging because: Hawaiians and Alaskans are excluded. Vehicles are limited to participating dealers and must conform to mileage and age restrictions. Several automakers are excluded (Oldsmobile, Daewoo, Saab, Suzuki, Isuzu), and there’s no financing for commercial vehicles, motorcycles, RVs, ATVs, camper vans, and motor homes, among others. You can’t use Capital One auto financing for a lease buyout. RequirementDetailsCitizenshipContiguous U.S.Employment statusNot disclosedState of residenceContiguous U.S.Minimum age18Minimum income$1,500 per monthVehiclesNew or used car, light truck, minivan, or SUV with fewer than 120,000 miles and a model year within the last 10 years How do you repay a Capital One auto loan? If you move forward with a Capital One auto loan, you’ll create an online account, which you can access via desktop or mobile app. Use the “Make a Payment” feature to make a one-time payment or set up recurring payments. You can also request a loan payoff here; there’s no prepayment penalty. Terms range from 36 to 72 months. You can expect larger payments (but pay less in interest) if you request a short 36-month loan. If you want lower monthly payments, ask for a 48-, 60-, or even 72-month loan. You’ll pay more in interest over time, but monthly payments will be more manageable. How do you apply for Capital One auto financing? To apply for Capital One auto financing, visit Capital One Auto Navigator and click “Get pre-qualified.” Source: Capital One Provide the following information: Name Address Birth date Social Security number Employment status, name of employer, and salary Remember, prequalification does not mean approval. You’ll take your offer to the dealership, and if you decide to purchase the car, you’ll work with the dealer to finish your application. How do Capital One auto refinance loans work? Capital One auto refinance loans work similarly to new and used car loans in terms of the online process—it’s quick and easy. But the required documentation, borrowing limits, fees, and other elements vary. Capital One rates, borrowing limits, and fees As with new and used car loans through Capital One, auto refinancing with the online bank is a little murky. Capital One doesn’t publish rates or minimum credit score requirements, and repayment terms aren’t clear either. While Capital One does not impose fees for this refinance, states will charge a title transfer fee, which Capital One pays on your behalf and adds to your final loan amount. TermDetailsRatesNot disclosedLoan amounts$7,500 – $75,000Repayment termsNot disclosedAvailability48 contiguous United StatesFeesNo origination fee or prepayment penaltyUnique features100% online process Who’s eligible for an auto refinance loan from Capital One? Auto refinancing through Capital One is limited, just as it is with new and used car loans. Here are the restrictions to consider: Auto refinances are only available to citizens of the contiguous U.S. Vehicles must be less than 10 years old and meet certain brand requirements; they must also be for personal use only. You need to be at least 18 and earn at least $1,500 a month. RequirementDetailsCitizenshipContiguous U.S.State of residenceContiguous U.S.Minimum age18Minimum income$1,500VehiclesCar, light truck, minivan, or SUV less than 10 years old and with an established resale value How do you repay a Capital One auto loan refinance? Once you refinance an auto loan with Capital One, it operates just like a regular auto loan. You’ll create an account online or in the mobile app and then log in to make one-time payments, schedule automatic payments, or pay off the loan. How do you apply for Capital One car loan refinancing? You can apply for Capital One car loan refinancing on Capital One’s website. Prequalification only takes a few minutes, and you can customize the loan to your liking (pay it off faster to save on interest; pay it off more slowly to keep monthly payments manageable; or let Capital One help you figure out the best way to save money). Source: Capital One During the approval process, you may need to supply documentation, including: The vehicle title Power of attorney or title authorization Insurance, lease agreement, or mortgage statement Pay stubs or bank statements If approved, you’ll sign paperwork digitally, and the customer service team will walk you through the rest. Pros and cons of Capital One car loans and refinancing Getting an auto loan with Capital One has a few notable advantages, but for many, the drawbacks may outweigh the good. Pros Seamless application process The entire application process is online and only takes a few minutes. No visit to a brick-and-mortar bank is necessary. Car shopping online Capital One offers an all-in-one experience. You can shop for the vehicle you want with a network of dealers in the same place where you prequalify for your auto loan. Easy loan management Year after year, Capital One continues to earn the top spot in J.D. Power studies for banking mobile apps. Using the app to make payments on your car loan is a breeze with Capital One. Cons Loans limited to dealers in network Capital One works with select car dealerships in the contiguous United States. When you use Capital One Auto Navigator to shop for cars, you aren’t seeing a full inventory. And if you want a car from a dealership that’s not in the network, you can’t get a Capital One loan for it. No loans in Hawaii or Alaska Auto loans, even refinancing, are limited to the contiguous United States. Stringent vehicle restrictions Capital One has a long list of vehicles you can’t get a loan for, including motorcycles, RVs, and commercial vehicles. Used vehicles must also be less than 10 years old and have fewer than 120,000 miles on them. Capital One auto financing customer reviews Across the board, Capital One auto financing customer reviews are low. Trustpilot and Better Business Bureau feature several complaints, often citing poor customer service. If customer service is important in your auto finance experience, you’re better off using a local brick-and-mortar bank or credit union. Some Reddit reviews of Capital One auto financing also point to a “bait-and-switch” feeling when the prequalification shows one rate, but the actual approval rate is higher. But this isn’t uncommon: Lenders don’t get a full picture until they pull your credit. SourceCustomer ratingNumber of reviewsTrustpilot1.3/52,574Google1.9/5278Better Business Bureau1.11/51,714Collected on October 9, 2024. How do Capital One auto loans compare to others? Capital One did not make our cut for the best auto loans, and we rate its auto loans a 3.3 out of 5—much lower than competitors MyAutoLoan, LightStream, Carputty, and Autopay. These lenders are more transparent with terms and rates, and they’re also more flexible with the vehicles you can finance. However, Capital One has a lower loan amount for used cars than all but AutoPay. CompanyBest for…Rating (0-5) Best for Comparison Shopping 4.8 View Rates Best for No Vehicle Restrictions 4.7 View Rates Best for Lifetime Financing 4.6 View Rates Best for Bad Credit 4.1 View Rates Read More List of Auto Loan Companies How does Capital One auto loan refinancing compare to others? Capital One also didn’t make the cut in our roundup of the best auto loan refinance companies. We rated Capital One at 3.6 out of 5. Other options have more flexible loan amounts and terms, and some are designed for borrowers with lower credit scores. CompanyBest for…Rating (0-5) Best for Comparison Shopping 4.9 View Rates Best for Flexible Terms 4.8 View Rates Best for No Fees 4.7 View Rates Best for Lifetime Financing 4.6 View Rates Best for Bad Credit 4.5 View Rates FAQ Can you have more than one Capital One auto loan? Yes, it is possible to have more than one Capital One auto loan. Approval for a second loan depends on your creditworthiness, income, and overall financial health. Capital One will review your ability to manage multiple loans, so it’s important to have a strong credit profile and sufficient income to handle the additional loan payment. Can you pay off a Capital One auto loan early? Yes, you can pay off a Capital One auto loan early without prepayment penalties. This can help you save on interest in the long run because most auto loans accrue interest over time. Is Capital One good to finance a car? Capital One can be a decent option for financing a car. It offers the convenience of prequalification, which allows you to see potential loan offers without affecting your credit score. However, it’s worth comparing Capital One’s offers with our highest-rated auto loan lenders and refinance companies to ensure you’re getting the best deal for your situation. What credit score do you need to finance a car with Capital One? Capital One doesn’t disclose its required minimum credit score, but a higher score—often 660 or above—can help you qualify for better rates and terms. Keep in mind that Capital One will also consider your income and debt-to-income ratio when evaluating your loan application. How we rated Capital One We designed LendEDU’s editorial rating system to help readers find companies that offer the best auto loans. Our system awards higher ratings to companies with affordable solutions, positive customer reviews, and online transparency of benefits and terms. We compared Capital One to several auto loan lenders and marketplaces, using hundreds of data points from company websites, public disclosures, customer reviews, and direct communication with company representatives. We weighted, scored, and combined each factor to produce a final editorial rating. This rating is expressed on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest possible score. Our take is represented in our rating and best-for designation, recapped below.