Cash Loans with Car as Collateral: Use Your Vehicle to Get Extra Money
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Cash Loans with Car as Collateral: Use Your Vehicle to Get Extra Money

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Marsha Welch Written by Marsha Welch Michael Lefler Reviewed by Michael Lefler
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If you’ve got a car and don’t have some extra cash lying around, you might be wondering where to get it. Maybe you need a little extra cash for unexpected expenses, or maybe you’re just looking to make your monthly car payment a little more manageable. Whatever the reason, if you’re looking for a loan with your car as collateral, there are ways to do it without selling your car. Read on because 1F Cash Advance will help you discover all your possibilities.

Can I Use My Car as Collateral?

Yes, you can use your car as collateral for an auto loan. Here are some things to know when you’re considering taking out a car title loan using your car as collateral:

  • The lender will require that you make regular payments on the car title loan and keep up with maintenance. If you can’t do this, they may repossess the car.
  • If you don’t pay off the car title loan before it’s due, the loan provider will sell your car at auction and use the proceeds to pay off what you owe them—minus any fees they might charge for selling the vehicle.
  • You may get a better loan term and lower interest rates if you have good or at least fair credit and strong income sources, but even if your credit isn’t great, there’s still a chance that a lender will approve your request.

How Can I Use a Car as Collateral for a Loan?

If you want to use your car as collateral for a loan, here’s how it works.

  1. You need to have a car that is worth at least $2,000.
  2. You must fill in the loan application form in your name or on behalf of another individual who has authorized you to act on their behalf (such as a spouse or partner).
  3. The lender will require you to sign a promissory note and give them a copy of your vehicle’s title in exchange for the loan. The note is an agreement between yourself (the borrower) and the loan provider (the creditor). It states that if you cannot make payments, the creditor can take possession of your car as collateral for their debt — usually by giving them a lien on it so they can sell it and get paid back by the proceeds from its sale.
loan using car for collateral

What Happens When You Get a Loan Using Car for Collateral?

When you borrow money against the value of your car, the lender will place a lien on your vehicle. If you don’t pay back the loan, they can take possession of your car and sell it to recoup their losses.

The loan servicer will also require that you make monthly payments on top of paying off the principal amount borrowed. These payments include interest fees and other charges associated with the loan agreement.

In some cases, loan providers may allow borrowers to make payments at their discretion without having them go through an escrow account (where funds are held until they’re needed). However, it doesn’t mean you won’t make payments on time. It just means there aren’t any additional fees associated with late payment processing like those levied against escrow accounts.

What Will You Need to Apply for a Car Title Loan?

Title loans are a great way to get the money you need, but they require a lot of paperwork and documentation. Let’s look at what you’ll need to start the application process for a car title loan.

  • You’ll need your driver’s license or state-issued ID card. If you don’t have either of these, you can still apply for a title loan. Bring other proof of identity like your birth certificate, military ID card, or social security card.
  • You’ll need your car title to apply for the loan. Make sure it’s clean and clear of any liens on it.
  • You should also have enough financial resources in your bank account (savings account) to cover the car title loan cost (this requirement can vary depending on each company because the lender may require a down payment).
  • Finally, contact one of our lenders who can help you get approved for this type of loan so that you can start making some extra cash quickly.

Note: Some lenders may not accept a car over five to seven years old as collateral. They require collateral in the form of a newer car with significant equity.

Current Car Title Loan Rates for 2023

Car title loans are one of the fastest ways to get fast cash. If you have a car with equity, you can get secured loans based on that equity and pay it back over time. But how much will it cost?

The average car loan interest rates are as low as 3.49% APR (annual percentage rate) but capped at 35.99%. If you borrow $2,000 with a term of 6 months with a medium APR of 22%, your monthly payment will be $355.05 per month until the loan is paid in full. The total interest paid will be $130.28. To get an estimated cost of your secured loan, you can use a simple loan calculator. Just know the loan amount you want to borrow.

Odessa P. Jackson from United Way says that “one of the biggest risks is that your credit score could drop if you take out a high-interest car title loan. It could mean that it will be harder for you to get approved for future loans, which would impact your ability to buy other things like homes and cars.”

Benefits of Using a Car as Collateral

There are many benefits when you take out this secured loan, and some of them include are:

  • You get a car title loan quickly and easily.
  • You can take out this personal loan even with poor credit history.
  • You use the equity in your car for other purposes, such as paying off debt or investing in stocks or real estate.

Drawbacks of Car as Collateral Loan

Car collateral loans may be an excellent solution for your problems, but you should be informed entirely before taking one because there is always a risk of losing your car. Here are some of the drawbacks of these secured personal loans:

  • Your car is an asset that depreciates over time. So if you take out a personal loan on it, your monthly payments will likely increase each year as the value of your vehicle decreases.
  • The lender can repossess your car if you don’t make your loan payments on time. Then, they’ll come to your house with a tow truck and remove everything you put as collateral. You’ll probably lose all of your possessions inside the vehicle as well.
  • If you default on secured loans and don’t pay back what you owe within three months after the defaulting period (even if there were longer repayment terms), they can sell off all of their collateral (including cars) at auction and keep all those proceeds for themselves.
  • There is an added likelihood that you could have negative equity because you are adding more to the amount you already owe to other lenders (if applicable).
use car as collateral for loan

Auto Equity Loan vs. Car Title Loan

Car title loans and auto equity loans are two types of short-term loans that can help you get your wheels back on the road. However, they’re not the same thing, so it pays to know the difference.

Many lenders offer auto equity loans that are used to purchase a car through a dealer or private auction. Loan amounts will depend on factors like how much equity you have in your car, its fair market value, your income, and your credit score. You don’t need the vehicle or even be able to afford it yet—just enough financial resources for the down payment and high fees. Once you’ve paid off the loan and bought your car, you can either keep it or sell it back to the lender. In this regard, online loans for self-employed people are also available. You get an unsecured loan without having an official income from an employer and buy a car.

Car title loans operate under similar conditions as auto equity loans but with one key difference: your loan has to be collateralized by the car itself. When they return the car after you pay off your short-term loan, the lender has to give you back ownership papers as collateral.

Can I Get a Loan with a Vehicle as Collateral with Bad Credit?

You’ve heard the saying, “If you need it, you’ve got it.” Well, that’s not always true when getting bad credit personal loans for $5,000. For example, if you want to get extra dollars against the value of your car and use your car as collateral, you may get approved for a loan, but only if your credit score is high enough.

If your credit score is low or poor, then lenders (banks or credit unions) will be reluctant to lend loan products to someone unable to pay back other debts in the past. You’ll pay a higher-interest rate on bad credit loans with no credit check. However, it doesn’t mean there aren’t any loan options available! For example, some lenders specialize in helping people with bad credit get approved for car title loans so they can take care of other financial needs. These lenders understand that many people have made mistakes in life but still deserve the opportunity to succeed financially if given a chance.

Apply now to get the funds you need with a loan secured by your car!Apply

Marsha Welch

Written by Marsha Welch

Written by Marsha Welch

Marsha Welch is a professional finance expert, qualified financial writer, and author of her own blog on financial literacy. As an author of 1F Cash Advance, Marsha want to be useful to businesses and individuals who want to modernize their wealth management or need an innovative financial planning solution.