• Most consumers need financing to buy a car. The most common type of car financing
is financing obtained through, or from, a dealership. Most dealership financing
involves a contract with the dealer. Consumers also may arrange for their own loan
over the Internet or directly from a finance company, bank, or credit union.
• This blog post explains dealership financing and can serve as a guide as you evaluate
your own financial situation before you finance a new or used car.
RESEARCH TO DO BEFORE YOU ARRIVE AT A DEALERSHIP
• Determine how much you can afford.
• Get a copy of your credit report so you are aware of what creditors will see. Any
negative information can affect your ability to get credit and/or your finance rate. And
if there are any errors, you can have them corrected or removed from your report.
Information about how to contact the major credit bureaus is included at the end of
this brochure.
• Find out your credit score (www.myfico.com).
• Identify the type of car you need.
• Check buying guides, the Internet, and other sources to find out the price range and
other information for the car you want to buy.
• Compare current finance rates being offered by contacting various banks, credit
unions, or other lenders. Compare dealer quotes and non-dealer quotes; there may be
restrictions on the most attractive rates or terms from any credit source
NEGOTIATING THE FINANCING WITH THE DEALER
You and the dealer determine the interest rate on your contract. The dealer may earn
additional income when your contract interest rate is higher than the rate the finance
company is willing to accept.
• You may negotiate the interest rate on your contract with the dealer and the
terms for payment, just as you negotiate the price of the car. This negotiation
can occur before or after the dealership accepts and processes your credit application.
• Your dealer may be able to provide special manufacturer offers, such as reduced
interest rates or cash back on certain models. You may see these specials advertised
in your area. Make sure you ask your dealer if there are any special financing
offers or rebates for the model you want to buy.
AFTER COMPLETING THE PURCHASE
• Be aware that if you financed the car, the bank, finance company, or credit union that
holds the contract has a lien on the car until you pay the contract in full.
• Make your payments on time. Late or missed payments incur late fees and affect your
ability to get credit in the future.
IF YOU ENCOUNTER FINANCIAL PROBLEMS
• Talk to your creditors if you experience difficulties making your monthly payments.
Explain your situation and the reason your payment will be late. Work out a repayment
schedule with your creditors and, if necessary, seek the services of a non-profit creditcounseling agency.
• Know your obligations. If you fail to make your payments as agreed, a creditor or
assignee may have the right to repossess and sell your car to pay off any outstanding
balance on your account. If the car is sold for less than what is owed, you may be
responsible for the difference.
FEDERAL LAWS THAT GOVERN DEALERSHIP FINANCING
Truth in Lending Act – requires that, before you sign the contract, creditors give you
written disclosure of important terms of the contract such as APR, total finance charges,
monthly payment amount, payment due dates, total amount being financed, length of
the contract and any charges for late payment.
Equal Credit Opportunity Act – prohibits discrimination related to credit because of
your gender, race, color, marital status, religion, national origin or age. It also prohibits
discrimination related to credit based on the fact that you are receiving public assistance
or that you have exercised your rights under the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act.
The ECOA also gives you the right to receive written notice of the reasons you are denied
credit if your application is rejected.
For more information on federal credit regulations and consumer rights, contact:
Federal Trade Commission
Washington, DC 20580
Phone: (877) FTC-HELP (382-4357)
Web site: www.ftc.gov
Federal Reserve System
Washington, DC 20551
Phone: (202) 452-3693
Web site: www.federalreserve.gov
STATE LAWS
Some state laws may provide you with additional rights. For information on these laws,
contact your state’s consumer protection agency or Attorney General’s office (Web sites:
www.naag.org or www.consumerlaw.org ).
GETTING YOUR CREDIT SCORE AND A COPY OF YOUR CREDIT REPORT
You can get a free copy of your credit report with your credit score once each year by
contacting the following:
Web site: www.annualcreditreport.com
Phone: (877) 322-8228
You can also obtain your credit information by contacting one of the three major credit
bureaus or the Fair Isaac Company:
Equifax Credit Information Services
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Phone: (800) 685-1111
Web site: www.equifax.com
Experian
P.O. Box 2104
Allen, TX 75013-2104
Phone: (888) 397-3742
Web site: www.experian.com
TransUnion, LLC
P.O. Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022-1000
Phone: (800) 888-4213
Web site: www.transunion.com
Fair Isaac Company
www.myfico.com
REMEMBER…WHEN VISITING THE DEALERSHIP
• Stay within the price range that you can afford.
• Negotiate your finance arrangements and terms.
• Consider carefully whether the transaction is best for your budget and needs.
• Understand the value and cost of products like extended service contracts, credit
insurance, or guaranteed auto protection, which are not required. If you don’t want
these products, don’t sign for them.
• Read the contract carefully before you sign. You are obligated once you have signed a
contract.
• Don’t sign documents that are blank or are missing information about the terms of your
purchase.
• Don’t drive off the lot in the car you are buying until you’ve completed the financing
process.
KNOW THE KEY TERMS BEFORE YOU SIGN
Amount Financed –
The dollar amount of the credit that is provided to you.
Annual Percentage Rate or “APR†–
The cost of credit for one year expressed as a percentage.
Assignee –
The bank, finance company, or credit union that purchases a contract from the dealer.
Credit Insurance –
Insurance that pays the scheduled unpaid balance if you die or scheduled monthly
payments if you become disabled. As with most contract terms, the cost of optional credit
insurance must be disclosed in writing, and, if you want it, you must agree to it and sign
for it. This insurance is not required.
Down Payment –
An initial amount paid to reduce the amount financed.
Extended Service Contract –
Protection on specified mechanical and electrical components of the car that supplements
the warranty coverage that may be provided; this protection is not required.
Finance Charge –
The cost of credit stated as a dollar amount.
Fixed Rate Financing –
The finance rate remains the same over the life of the contract.
Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP) –
Protection that pays the difference between the amount you owe on your car and the
amount you receive from your insurance company if the car is stolen or destroyed before
you have satisfied your credit obligation. This protection is not required.
Monthly Payment Amount –
The dollar amount due each month to repay the contract.
Negotiated Price of the Vehicle –
The purchase price of the car agreed upon by the buyer and the dealer.
Variable Rate Financing –
The finance rate varies and the amount you must pay changes over the life of the contract.
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