iLending review: Our take – iLending is one of the best auto loan refinance marketplaces, with dedicated loan consultants and options for borrowers with fair and even poor credit.
Auto Loan Refinance
- Available with bad credit
- Dedicated loan consultant
- Network of banks, credit unions, and online lenders
- Clear eligibility requirements
- Positive customer reviews
- No new car loans
- Fees not disclosed
- $5,000 minimum loan amount
| Rates (APR) | 4.99% – 19.24% |
| Loan amounts | $5,000 – $150,000 |
| Repayment terms | 12 – 96 months |
| Min. credit requirements | 560 |
| Min. income requirements | $1,500 per month |
| Max. vehicle limits | 10 years / 150,000 miles |
Is iLending good for auto refinancing?
iLending is a great choice for refinancing your car loan. iLending isn’t a lender itself, but it will assign a dedicated loan consultant who will remain your point of contact throughout the process. The consultant will help you apply for and review offers from multiple lenders in the iLending network.
Most importantly, iLending is one of the best auto loan refinance companies for bad credit, accepting borrowers with scores as low as 560 at select lenders within its network.
We also like iLending for its payment-skip feature. Depending on the lender you’re matched with and your specific refinance details, you may be able to skip payments for as long as 90 days. (Note: Interest will continue to accrue.)
Rates, terms, and more
Here’s a breakdown of important loan details when refinancing with iLending:
| Rates | 4.99% – 19.24% |
| Loan amounts | $5,000 – $150,000 |
| Repayment terms | 12 – 96 months |
| Closing costs | Not disclosed* |
| Availability | 50 states + Washington, D.C. |
| Min. credit score | 560 |
| Min. credit history | 6 months + 1 existing credit account |
| Min. income | $1,500 per month |
iLending reviews
While iLending’s rates and terms look good on paper, it’s important to consider what actual past customers have to say about refinancing, particularly when it comes to customer service, hidden fees, and ease of repayments. In this instance, customers have had overwhelmingly positive experiences with iLending.
This table shows iLending’s current star ratings at major review sites:
| Review site | Customer rating | Number of reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Better Business Bureau | 4.31/5 (A+ rating) | 147 |
| ConsumerAffairs | 4.9/5 | 473 |
| Trustpilot | 4.7/5 | 1,917 |
One common thread across reviews: Customers mentioned loan consultants by name and thanked them for their help. This speaks to iLending’s differentiator; the lending network has a “You First Approach” built upon a one-on-one relationship with a dedicated loan consultant. The success of that approach shows in the reviews.
How do car loan refinances from iLending work?
While iLending doesn’t issue loans itself, the online loan marketplace works with a network of banks, credit unions, and online lenders to help you find the lowest rates for an auto loan refinance. Your dedicated loan consultant will help you through the full auto loan refinance process.
Who’s eligible?
iLending’s auto loan refinances are available to most borrowers; among its network of lenders are financial institutions willing to work with borrowers whose credit scores are as low as 560. (Typically, a FICO score of 580 or below is considered bad credit.)
Here’s a more detailed look at who is eligible for iLending refinancing:
- Minimum credit score: 560
- Minimum credit history: 6 months + 1 tradeline
- Minimum income: $1,500 a month
The vehicle you’re refinancing also matters:
- Maximum vehicle age: 10 years
- Maximum mileage: 150,000 miles
- Minimum loan amount: $5,000
How to apply for an auto loan refinance with iLending
Applying online with iLending only takes a few minutes, and the initial prequalification check does not affect your credit score. Once you apply, you’ll be matched with a loan consultant, who will connect with you to understand your goals, such as:
- Reducing your monthly payment
- Lowering your interest rate
- Lowering the overall cost of the loan
- Removing someone from the loan
- Skipping a payment temporarily
With that info, the loan consultant will help match you with the right lender. They’ll then guide you through all the necessary documentation needed to complete the application, at which point you should anticipate a hard credit inquiry.
Assuming you’re approved, you’ll review the new loan details and sign.
How to repay iLending
You won’t repay your car loan refinance through iLending. Rather, iLending connects you with a lender; once approved, you’ll set up repayments through that lender’s specific platform.
Is iLending legit?
Yes, iLending is a legitimate online marketplace for shopping for the best auto loan refinance companies. Founded in 2006 as Fleet Financial, originally focused on fleet vehicles for companies, it expanded to auto loan refinancing for everyday drivers following the financial crisis of 2007 – 2008.
The company is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with additional offices in Austin, Texas, and Columbia, South Carolina. iLending is accredited by the Better Business Bureau, where it currently holds an A+ rating.
Other refinances available through iLending
While iLending is primarily known for its auto loan refinances, you can refinance other types of vehicle loans, including:
- Motorcycles
- RVs and campers
- Boats and other watercraft
- ATV and powersport vehicles
Pros and cons
Pros
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Available with bad credit
Borrowers with fair or even poor credit may qualify for an auto loan refinance through iLending. The online refinance marketplace can match you with lenders willing to accept borrowers with scores as low as 560.
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Dedicated loan consultant
iLending pairs you with a dedicated loan consultant who will walk you through the entire process and be your sole point of contact. This streamlines the process and makes it feel more personal.
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Network of banks, credit unions, and online lenders
iLending works with a large network of lenders to find you the best rate for your auto loan refinance. Because of its large network, iLending can offer low auto refinance rates. (These rates are only for the most qualified borrowers.)
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Clear eligibility requirements
Unlike many other lenders and loan marketplaces, iLending is incredibly clear about its eligibility requirements, including minimum credit score and income requirements.
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Positive customer reviews
Across major review sites, iLending has a positive reputation. Customers on Trustpilot, ConsumerAffairs, and the Better Business Bureau overwhelmingly praise iLending for its excellent customer service.
Cons
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No new car loans
iLending specializes in auto loan refinancing. If you’re hoping to buy a new-to-you car, consider one of these best car loans instead.
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Fees not disclosed
Though iLending doesn’t charge an application or origination fee for its car loan refinances, it does charge other fees, including admin/doc fees, whose amounts aren’t disclosed. While these fees can vary by lender, they may exceed $500, making refinancing less attractive, especially for smaller loan amounts.
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$5,000 minimum loan amount
Some auto refinance companies allow you to refinance as little as $3,000, but the minimum loan amount with iLending is $5,000. If you don’t owe that much on your car loan, you won’t be able to refinance through iLending’s network.
Alternatives to iLending
While iLending is a great way to explore multiple auto loan refinancing options and choose the best rate or monthly payment for your needs, it’s not the only choice you may be considering.
Here’s how iLending stacks up against three of our other picks for the best auto loan refinance:
Average Savings
$148/month
$124.67/month
Not disclosed
$105/month
Rates (APR)
5.49% – 18.79%
4.67% – 13.35%
6.74% – 15.54%
4.29% – 17.99%
Funding
$5K – $150K
$10,250 – $100K
$5K – $100K
$7,500 – $100K
Credit score
560+
550+
Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Best for
Flexible terms
Comparison shopping
No fees
Bad credit
iLending vs. CarsDirect vs. LendingTree
iLending and LendingTree both help borrowers refinance auto loans through a network of lenders and offer soft-credit prequalification. iLending stands out for its hands-on support through a dedicated loan consultant, which can be especially helpful if you have fair or challenged credit.
CarsDirect, on the other hand, primarily connects buyers with dealerships rather than focusing on auto loan refinancing. If your goal is to refinance, iLending or LendingTree is the more relevant choice.
How we rated iLending
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 iLending to several auto loan and refinance lenders, 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.
Article sources
At LendEDU, our writers and editors rely on primary sources, such as government data and websites, industry reports and whitepapers, and interviews with experts and company representatives. We also reference reputable company websites and research from established publishers. This approach allows us to produce content that is accurate, unbiased, and supported by reliable evidence. Read more about our editorial standards.
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About our contributors
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Written by Timothy Moore, CFEI®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.
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Edited by Kristen Barrett, MATKristen Barrett is a managing editor at LendEDU. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her wife and their pack of senior rescue dogs. She has edited and written personal finance content since 2015.