Car Loans

Getting a car loan in Canada is easy when you deal with the top auto loan providers in the country. Every company listed on Smarter Loans has been reviewed and qualified by a panel of industry experts. This means that when you deal with these auto financing companies, you can be sure you work with trusted lenders. If you are looking for a car loan in Canada with easy approval even if you have less than perfect credit, we can help.

Cars, SUVs, Trucks, Motorcycles, ATVs, RVs, Marine, Motorsport, Heavy Duty and other vehicles are available.

Choose one of the vehicle loan lenders below to be taken to their application or Pre-apply online here and we will connect you with a suitable lender for your auto loan.

Pre-apply for a car loan here at Smarter Loans and we will find a suitable lender for you.

Get Auto Loan Now!

Top Car Loans Providers in Canada

Company
Amount
Interest Rate
Reviews
Terms
$7,500 - $55,000
2.95% - 29.95%
12 - 96 months
Up to $50,000
Varies
Varies
$7,500 - $65,000
2.95% - 29.5%
12 - 96 months
$3,500 - $49,500
8.99% - 29.5%
12 - 84 Months
$7500 - $99,999
4.75%-29.99%
12 - 84 months, depends on vehicle
$7,500 to $50,000 (Refinance your existing auto loan)
8.99% to 19.99% (lower your auto loan interest rate)
Up to 84 months

Auto Loan Calculator

$2k$20,000$100K
$0k$1,000$100K
1%15%40%
1 year2 year term5 years
$
$

Your Payment Details

Your Payment Details

"Below you will find a detailed breakdown of your payments in each month and each year. Find out how much interest, principal and total you'll be paying with the information you entered. Change your term length, interest rate and loan amount to see how it impacts your payment breakdown."

What is an Auto Loan and How Does it Work?

An auto loan is a type of debt instrument that consumers use to purchase motor vehicles. Typically, these loans are structured to be paid back in periodic installments and are secured by the value of the underlying vehicle that they are used to purchase. In other words, the vehicle being bought serves as collateral for the loan that can be seized if the borrower fails to pay the scheduled principal/interest.

In terms of the actual structure of the car loan, it is similar to most other consumer loans offered by lending institutions and consists of the principal and the interest. The principal is correlated with the value of the vehicle being bought and/or the amount of down-payment (upfront payment) required. Depending on the vehicle or the lending institution, a down-payment may not be required at all; however, in the case that it is, the larger the down-payment, the lower the principal amount, which translates to reduced costs for the borrower and lower risk for the lender. One example of this is a car worth $5,000 for which the lender stipulates down-payment to be 10% i.e. $500. Once the borrower pays this $750 up front, the lender provides the remaining $4,500 to finance the purchase of the vehicle.

Car Loans Canada

The interest can be thought of as the cost of borrowing i.e. the compensation that the lender receives for taking the risk of providing debt to consumers. While there is no fixed interest rate on auto loans, the rate is contingent upon the lending institution that underwrites the loan and the creditworthiness of the borrower wherein higher-rated customers receive lower rates of interest, and vice-versa.

Lastly, there is also an installment component to car loans where the loan is gradually repaid in a series of consecutive payments, usually made on a monthly basis. Most auto loans are repaid within the 36 months (3 years) to 60 months (5 years) range. The installment nature also makes these loans amortizing, meaning that each scheduled payment is used to repay both the principal and the interest. This results in the loans getting cheaper over the course of their lifecycle due to the interest rate being applied to a lower principal outstanding at each subsequent payment.

Transunion published a report noting that the average Canadian consumer held $21,216 in auto loan debt at the end of 2019, an increase of 2% from the same period of 2018.

What is the difference of a Car Loan compared to leasing?


In an auto lease, the lessee gains the privileges of the car for a fixed time period or a pre-defined number of miles driven before the car is returned to the lessor. At no point during the leasing period does the ownership transfer over to the lessee. Some dealerships do, however, have an ownership option at the end of the leasing period for lessees to take advantage of if they so wish. Due to the lack of ownership benefits, all things equal, the payments on auto leases are normally less than payments on auto loans.

 

If you are looking for additional info on “shopping for car loans” you should check out this great resource from the Government of Canada website.

Key Advantages of Auto Loans


Car loans provide compelling benefits to the borrower. Some of these are as listed below:

Stamp Your Ownership

Each payment made towards the auto loan is a step towards owning the vehicle at the end of the loan’s life. This enables the borrower to enjoy the benefits of ownership such as vehicle modifications and/or being able to sell the car at the end of the loan term. This is in contrast to the leasing option, where the lessee simply pays for the privileges of being able to use the car during the lease period.

Just Keep Driving

There is no limit on the amount of miles you can drive on an auto loan as compared to an auto lease, which potentially imposes a cap on mileage to prevent over-use at the time of lease expiry.

Insuring a Good Ride

In the unfortunate event of a vehicular accident, the amount that the insurance company will cover is dependent on the vehicle’s market value when loaning a vehicle. On the other hand, the dealer’s repair costs tend to be higher than what insurance companies are willing to cover, which leaves the lessee on the hook for the payment balance.
Car Loans - Smarter Loans

Refinance

If you are the benefactor of dropping interest rates, or if your credit score has improved to a degree where you can get cheaper loans, you can refinance your existing loans to gain lower monthly payments.

Pay it Off Early

An early payoff has more benefits than just improving your credit score. Provided that the lending institution does not have early payoff penalties, the borrower can save on interest costs by paying off the auto loan early.

Factors to Consider when Applying for Auto Financing


However, there are also certain features that can pose risks to prospective borrowers:
  • Wallet Squeeze:

    Compared to its alternative in auto leasing, auto loans typically have higher principal payments due to the title of ownership that is passed on to the borrower. This implies that monthly payments are often more expensive than in leasing terms.

  • The Down(side):

    A lot of lending institutions require a down-payment to be made before the auto loan can be underwritten. For borrowers with financial constraints, this is therefore often not a feasible option to pursue given the quantum of the down payment.

  • Salvage Value:

    Unlike property markets, auto vehicles are subject to depreciation virtually right out of the dealership. If the borrower is looking to upgrade to a new car right after the loan term, this is not the most attractive option as the selling price would almost certainly not be reflective of the buying price.

  • High Maintenance:

    As vehicles get older, they are often subject to higher maintenance costs, which the borrower/owner has to pay for when taking out an auto loan instead of a lease.

Auto Loans Key Variables


Before participating in an auto loan as a borrower, there are some important variables to pay attention to that will ensure a mutually healthy relationship between lender and borrower:

APR:

When shopping for a loan, the Annual Percentage Rate is often the most critical consideration, which illustrates the amount of interest that the borrower has to pay on loans. A difference of even 0.2%-0.3% could possibly mean hundreds of dollars in savings over the life of the loan.

Monthly Payments:

The total monthly payment comprising your principal and interest amount is a function of APR, principal amount and loan term (duration that the borrower has taken the loan out for). To optimize this, it is best to use or devise your own loan calculator.

Loan Term:

The length of the loan is another consideration. Longer loan terms mean smaller monthly payments, but the offsetting factor is that the amount of interest paid is greater over the total period of the loan.

Total Amount/Down-Payment:

The total amount borrowed depends on the market value of the vehicle being bought, as well as applicable fees and taxes. The higher this cumulative amount, the higher the monthly payment will be – although a down-payment can help to reduce that if the borrower has the financial capacity to be able to do so.

 

Penalties and Other Fees:

While some institutions have more relaxed policies on early payoff, others charge a prepayment penalty. There are also processing or administrative charges that borrowers often have to pay to compensate the bank for the work undertaken in setting up the loan. While these are mostly fixed fees, they can sometimes be charged as a percentage of the loan. It is therefore extremely important to read the “fine print” of the loan documentation to gain an understanding of the total cash outflows the borrower is liable for.

Car Loans Frequently Asked Questions


What are the minimum requirements to qualify for a car loan in Canada?

Qualifying for a car loan in Canada requires you, as the borrower, to meet certain eligibility criteria. These criteria vary slightly from lender to lender, but typically include meeting a minimum credit score; for most lenders this threshold is set at 550, but there are options for those with lower credit scores seeking car financing. You will also need to show a valid driver’s license, proof of Canadian residency, and proof of income. Some lenders will also require information regarding your other debts and monthly costs when you apply for an auto loan, while others are less stringent.

What is a good interest rate for a car loan in Canada?

Auto loan interest rates in Canada vary from lender to lender, and according to each borrower’s circumstances. The range is quite large from 0% to 30% – and used vehicles are often charged a higher auto loan rate than new vehicles. Online lenders may have more competitive rates than banks and other traditional financial institutions. The exact car loan interest rate you will be charged depends on your credit score (with higher credit scores qualifying you for lower rates), your monthly income, any down payment on the vehicle, the vehicle specifics, and the term of the loan.

Can I get an auto loan with bad credit in Canada?

Finding a bad credit car loan is easier than you may think. While many auto loan lenders require a minimum credit score of 550, there are still plenty of options for those with a score lower than this. You can take a look at our list of bad credit car loan lenders who cater to people in these circumstances, to compare your options. Most bad credit auto loan lenders will balance the increased risk of these loans by charging higher interest rates. Or, alternatively, you may be able to access a car loan with bad credit and avoid high rates if you save up a sizable down payment for the car.

Can I get car financing with no credit in Canada?

New Canadian residents have no credit history in the country, and so do not qualify for credit in the same way that settled residents do. Buying a car with financing is still possible though, as car loans for new Canadians can rely on factors other than credit. Proof of employment is a great way to indicate to a lender that you are not a risky borrower and that you have the income necessary to pay off the loan. Saving a down payment is also very helpful. And finding a cosigner for the loan, who does have a credit history in Canada, can also help ensure approval.

Is it safe to fill out a car loan application online?

Online car loan applications are quick and convenient, but those seeking to get a car loan online need to know that they are protecting their sensitive personal and financial information. Fortunately, there are a number of federal regulations that dictate how your information can be collected and used, to ensure maximum consumer protection. Most online lenders use sophisticated encryption technology to safeguard security; and reputable lenders will always have a privacy policy readily available. So the vast majority of online car loan applicants are well-protected, but it always pays to ensure you are communicating with a reputable company.

How do I apply for a car loan in Canada?

Applying for a car loan starts with finding a lender that’s right for you. Each car loan provider will have different eligibility requirements, as well as different loan options. Start by understanding your financial position and what you need in a loan, as this will narrow your list of potential lenders. Then, compare your different options, considering the loan terms and rates, to find the most appropriate choice for your needs. Once you know which lender to apply to, you need to gather your paperwork. Each lender has their own documentation requirements, but they usually start with: proof of insurance, proof of income, proof of residency, and driver’s license.

Can I get a loan to buy a used car in Canada?

Used car financing is as easy to access as new car financing, with most car dealerships, financial institutions, and online lenders able to provide auto financing for pre-owned vehicles. One advantage of used car financing is that the borrowed amount is typically less than with a new car purchase, as the value of the car is less. So the payments will be lower overall. However the interest rate you qualify for may be higher than with a new car. This is because the loan term on used cars is usually shorter.

Canada auto financing facts

Canada is home to a busy auto market, and a busy auto loan market. Let’s look at the numbers:

  • The average car loan interest rate in Canada is 4.5-6%.
  • Bad credit borrowers pay on average 7-20% on their car loans.
  • The average car loan term is 69 months for new cars, and 65 months for used cars.
  • 55% of new car loans in the country have terms of 84 months or longer.
  • The average price of a new car in Canada is $33,000.
  • The number of vehicles registered in Canada is 34.3 million.

Elite Trusted Lenders

These companies are recognized for their excellent service, product offering and financial literacy education for all Canadians.