Many or all companies we feature compensate us. Compensation and editorial research influence how products appear on a page. Auto Loans What to Know About Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Before You Borrow Updated Mar 14, 2024 9-min read Reviewed by Taylor Milam-Samuel Reviewed by Taylor Milam-Samuel Expertise: Student loans, credit cards, debt, budgeting Taylor Milam-Samuel is a personal finance writer and credentialed educator who is passionate about helping people take control of their finances and create a life they love. When she's not researching financial terms and conditions, she can be found in the classroom teaching. Learn more about Taylor Milam-Samuel View Rates Rates start at 5.99%, as of March 2024Minimum credit score of 650Apply at dealership or online Car manufacturers, like Mercedes-Benz, offer in-house financing that allows car shoppers to work with the company to secure an auto loan or lease. If you have solid credit and decide to finance your car this way, there are some unique benefits. You might be able to get financing offers with reduced rates or take advantage of balloon financing with lower monthly payments and a lump sum payment at the end. Car shoppers work with the dealership to apply for the loan and get approved. After that, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services provides the funds, processes your payments, and offers online access to the loan. Here’s what you can expect if you get a car loan or lease through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. Table of Contents Skip to Section Mercedes-Benz Financial Services auto loan at a glanceWho’s eligible for a Mercedes-Benz Financial Services auto loan?Pros and cons of Mercedes-Benz Financial ServicesMore about Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Mercedes-Benz Financial Services auto loan at a glance Borrowers apply for a loan or lease from Mercedes-Benz Financing Services at the dealership or their website. Here are the typical requirements to qualify for a loan. TermDetailsMinimum credit scoreTypically 650 or higherFixed rates (APR)Starts at 5.99%, as of March 2024Special offersRegular specials, including 2.99% financing on current leases Loan amountsLoans start at $5,000Down payment required?Depends on creditRepayment period24 – 72 monthsFeesDepends on creditUnique featuresBalloon financing, which offers lower monthly payments and a lump sum payment at the end How does a Mercedes-Benz Financial Services auto loan work? You can get pre-approved for a loan from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services online at mbfs.com or in person at the dealership. The lender typically requires a credit score of at least 650, making it difficult to qualify without a cosigner if you have a lower score. The down payment and fee requirements also vary depending on your credit score, and you can usually avoid origination fees and down payment requirements if you have a higher credit score. Once you know which car you want to buy and which dealership you want to work with, you can get more specific information about financing. Most dealerships are happy to assist you with financing questions and can help you compare offers from multiple lenders. If you decide to move forward with Mercedes-Benz Financing, you can manage your auto loan online at mbfs.com, via the Mercedes me Finance app, or over the phone at (800) 654-6222. What kind of car can I buy with a Mercedes-Benz Financial Services loan? Loans from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services are for Mercedes-Benz cars from dealerships. You cannot use the loan to buy a vehicle from an independent seller. Mercedes cars typically cost between $30,000 and nearly $200,000, and you can use your loan to buy any of the new vehicles. You can also use the money to buy a pre-owned Mercedes if it’s not more than five model years old. Who’s eligible for a Mercedes-Benz Financial Services auto loan? Mercedes-Benz Financial Services requires a minimum credit score of 650, and a higher score can help secure better terms. Borrowers also need to provide proof of income and identity. You also need to prove that you can afford the monthly payments. Larger loans typically have stricter eligibility criteria, while smaller loans might have more lenient requirements. For example, a loan for $100,000 might require a higher credit score, higher income, and a larger down payment than a loan for $30,000. One of the perks of financing through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services is that the company offers large loans, which can be necessary for buyers who want a Mercedes. What are the costs and fees of a Mercedes-Benz Financial Services auto loan? Mercedes-Benz Financial Services loan rates start at 5.99% as of March 2024. These are competitive compared to the average new car loan rate of 9.58% as of September 2023. Depending on their credit score and the loan amount, you might have to pay an origination fee. The loan amount, down payment, interest rate, repayment term, and fees determine the amount you pay for an auto loan. For example: Imagine you buy a C-Class sedan for $45,000. You add a down payment of $10,000 to reduce the loan amount to $35,000. Your repayment term is 60 months, and the rate is 7%. You would pay $693.04 per month and $6,582.52 toward interest. Now imagine: You buy the same car for the same price and put the same amount down. But the term is 36 months, and the interest rate is 5.99%. You would pay $1,064.61 per month and $3,325.93 toward interest. With the shorter repayment term, your monthly payment is higher, but the total interest charges are significantly lower. How do you repay an auto loan from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services? You can repay your auto loan from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services online, over the phone or on the app. You can also set up automatic payments to reduce the hassle of scheduling a payment every month. If you want to repay your loan early, you can do so without a prepayment penalty. Mercedes-Benz offers loan terms between 24 and 72 months. With longer loan terms, you have smaller monthly payments but pay more interest. The reverse is true for shorter loan terms. Pros and cons of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Pros Competitive rates Interest rates at Mercedes-Benz Financial Services start at 5.99%, which is over 1% lower than the national average. Fast approval If you apply for a loan during business hours, you will receive a decision four hours later. Cons Limited to the brand You must buy a Mercedes-Benz car with the loan funds, which limits your options. Stricter eligibility criteria You need a credit score of at least 650 to qualify for a loan, and borrowers with higher credit can get more competitive terms. Mercedes-Benz Financial Services is a solid lender with good rates and a fast approval process. But you need good credit to qualify for the loan, and you can only use the funds to buy a Mercedes-Benz, which might be limiting. Compared to other lenders like Capital One and LightStream, Mercedes-Benz is more restrictive about how borrowers can use funds, and qualifying might be more challenging. Is Mercedes-Benz Financial Services a reputable lender? SourceCustomer ratingNumber of reviewsTrustpilot1.2 out of 587 reviewsGoogle2.0 out of 565 reviewsBetter Business Bureau1.15 out of 527 reviewsCollected on March 2, 2024. Even though Mercedes-Benz Financial Services is a reputable lender, online customer reviews are mostly negative. Most negative reviews mention issues with online payments or title release delays. Positive reviews generally focus on the easy application and responsive customer service. Does Mercedes-Benz Financial Services have a customer service team? Mercedes-Benz Financial Services has a robust customer service team, including phone, chat, and email. The team is based in Texas but offers general customer support via phone Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. EST. You can also contact customer support on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. The customer support team primarily assists with questions about existing loans, including account questions, payoff quotes, and past-due payments. If you have questions about applying for a loan, contact your dealership. Here is the contact information for the Mercedes-Benz Financial Services customer service team. Email: For issues related to fraud, you can email [email protected]. To view other MBFS email addresses, log in to your account. Phone number: Contact customer service at (800) 654-6222. You can also reach the Lease Maturity department at (800) 873-5471 and the Past Due Payments department at (800) 984-4455. Mailing address: You can send letters to: Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, P.O. Box 685, Roanoke, TX, 76262.Chatbox: Chat is available, but you must log in to your account to chat with a customer service representative. How to apply for a Mercedes-Benz Financial Services auto loan Prequalification typically involves a soft credit check, which does not impact your credit score. You can apply once you prequalify and decide to proceed with the loan. Here’s what to expect when you apply for a Mercedes-Benz Financial Services auto loan. Select your car: When you apply online, you must list the type of car you plan to buy, including the make, model, and year. Determine the loan amount: Determine the amount you need and how you want to finance the car. Decide if you plan to contribute a down payment or trade in your current vehicle to offset some of the cost. Choose your loan type: Mercedes-Benz Financial Services offers regular financing and balloon financing, which provides lower monthly payments but requires a large lump sum payment at the end of the term. It’s helpful to decide which financing you want before you apply. Prequalify online or in person: The next step is to complete the application. You will typically receive a response within four business hours if you apply online at MBFS during the weekday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. If you apply outside of business hours, you can expect a response the next business day. Finalize the application: You must typically provide proof of income by accessing bank accounts or pay stubs. You must also have proof of identity, typically with a government-issued identification card. Buy the car: After finalizing the loan, you can buy it at the dealership and leave with it. FAQ What if I’m denied an auto loan from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services? Don’t let a loan denial get you down. Mercedes-Benz Financial Services might not be your only means of securing financing. Other lenders might offer different terms based on credit score, payment timing, and other factors. If Mercedes-Benz denies your loan application, consider speaking with a trusted financial advisor to understand alternative financing routes. Focus on improving your credit score, reducing your debt load, and showcasing steady income, all of which can help in securing viable loan options. What credit score do I need to qualify for a Mercedes-Benz Financial Services auto loan? Your credit score is pivotal in securing an auto loan with Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. Typically, it favors borrowers with strong credit scores. The lender doesn’t disclose a set credit score requirement, but a credit score of 670 or above—classified as “good” by most credit rating agencies—may increase your approval odds. But remember, your credit score isn’t the only factor. Lenders also consider income, employment stability, and overall debt load. Can I refinance my Mercedes-Benz Financial Services auto loan in the future? Yes. Refinancing means obtaining a new loan, often with a lower interest rate, to repay your current loan. Mercedes-Benz Financial Services allows customers to refinance their loans, given they meet certain conditions. The benefit of refinancing hinges on your credit standing. Refinancing could be a beneficial option if your credit score has improved or market interest rates have dropped since you first took out the loan. Always make sure to calculate potential savings before deciding to refinance.