Why would I refinance my car loan?

Unless you got a really great deal when you bought your car, you're probably paying a high interest rate on your loan. Refinancing is a great idea if interest rates have dropped since the time you made your purchase, saving you hundreds (or thousands!) of dollars over the lifetime of your loan.

Is my car eligible for a refinance loan?

Eligibility requirements vary based on the lender and your state of residence. Most financial institutions require that your car be 10 years old or newer and have less than 150,000 miles - though you may find that some lenders have more stringent requirements. Some vehicle makes, such as Hummer, Saab and Isuzu, may be excluded from refinancing offers as well.

Can refinancing my car loan save me money?

That depends. If you can get a new loan at a lower interest rate, chances are good that you'll save money on your monthly payments. But, if you refinance into a loan with a much longer repayment term, do the math to make sure you're not paying more in the long run. Also factor in any fees that may be charged for your new loan, because they will cut into your savings.

Where can I find the best rates on an auto refi loan?

Probably not at your local bank! While it's tempting to go with the simplicity of refinancing through the financial institution you've always used, they're not going to compete for your business: they already have it! A better method is to look at your options online, where it's easy to get car loan refinancing offers from several lenders at once. Plus, internet-based lenders often have less overhead, which translates into lower rates for your refi.

Are online lenders a legit way to get an auto refinance loan?

Absolutely. For many smaller banks and credit unions, online lending lets them reach customers they might not find otherwise - which equals greater savings for you. Of course, it's important to do your homework and make sure that any service you use for your car loan refinancing is reputable and will protect your personal information, especially if you are required to enter your Social Security Number for identity verification. A strong rating from the Better Business Bureau is a solid way to establish that a service is legitimate.

Are there any fees with an auto refinance loan?

Sometimes. Beyond the interest you'll pay on any loan, you may find origination fees or other costs for processing your application, updating your title, and so forth. Read the fine print before you commit to a lender for your auto refinancing.

Do I need good credit to refinance my car loan?

Not necessarily, but it helps. As with any type of borrowing, higher credit scores usually translate into lower interest rates. And, some lenders have a minimum credit score of 580 (give or take) to be eligible to apply for auto refinancing loans.

How does a referral service work when shopping for a car loan?

Instead of applying directly with a single financial institution, you can use a referral platform to get quotes from multiple lenders at once. These services use vetted partners in their network, using your application to match you with banks and credit unions willing and able to fund your auto refinance loan. From there, the experience varies: some referral providers require you to re-enter all of your initial application information directly with the lender you select, while others streamline the process and transfer your details to the lender you've chosen. Be aware that you may get multiple emails, texts and phone calls from interested lenders when you provide your information to a referral platform!

Caribou vs RefiJet for March 2026 | Best Car Loan Refinance Providers

Item: Caribou vs RefiJet
Rating: 4
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Thursday, March 12th We evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

2026 Car Loan Refinance Reviews

Here you can see how Caribou and RefiJet match up head-to-head in a battle for the Best Car Loan Refinance Providers in 2026.

Caribou

Fully online process for refinancing car loans
Works with a network of lending partners
Available to residents of most states (excluding MD, MS, NE, NV, WV)

Caribou, formerly known as MotoRefi, offers a convenient and fully online process to help you find the right refinanced car loan. Partnering with institutions like GreenState Credit Union and Beneficial State Bank, Caribou's lending network aims to save you an average of $115 per month on your car payments. While they charge lenders a processing fee of $399 to $499 (which may be passed along to you), Caribou is upfront with that (somewhat unpleasant) detail, and their soft credit pull allows for easy prequalification without the need for your SSN. With nearly 700 five-star reviews and an "A+" rating from the BBB, Caribou has earned a solid reputation for its hassle-free refinancing process and personalized customer service. Despite those potential processing fees passed on by lenders, Caribou's commitment to transparency and customer satisfaction makes it a strong contender for your auto loan refinancing needs, earning it an excellent rating.

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RefiJet

Specializes in auto refinance loans
Referral service for connecting with multiple lenders
Loan amounts from $5,000 to $100,000

RefiJet is a referral platform specializing in auto refinance loans since 2016. They cater to individuals with credit scores starting at 580, connecting them with multiple lenders who can offer loans ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 for terms of 24-96 months and with a wide range of interest rates. RefiJet also offers a perk of no payments for the first three months. To get started, you'll answer basic questions and undergo a soft credit inquiry for identity verification. Once validated, RefiJet connects you with lending partners, though they could be more transparent about them upfront. Despite some complaints, RefiJet is BBB-accredited and maintains an "A+" rating, with improved customer feedback since our last evaluation. Overall, it's a terrific option for refinancing, especially for individuals with less-than-perfect credit.

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You've got a car and a loan to go with it, but you might be wondering if there's a smarter way to manage the payments - maybe trim your monthly bill or get to the finish line faster. That's where refinancing comes in, letting you swap your current loan for one with better terms. Even a small drop in interest can add up to real savings over the life of the loan.

You might've taken out the loan when your credit wasn't in great shape and ended up with a higher rate, or maybe the market has shifted and rates have fallen since you signed. If refinancing now lets you lock in something lower, you could save a lot over the life of the loan. Even a small drop - say, a percentage point - can add up to thousands in interest.

Refinancing, like most things, comes with trade-offs, but the upside can be real - a smaller monthly payment can ease your budget and free up cash for a rainy-day fund or the occasional fancy coffee. If you can snag a lower interest rate, you'll pay less in interest over the life of the loan, leaving more money in your pocket. Just remember to weigh closing costs and any change in term so the math truly works in your favor.

Refinancing has downsides: it often stretches your repayment timeline, so while your monthly bill may drop, you could pay more over the life of the loan. If your credit score has slipped since you first borrowed, you might not qualify for a better rate, and most refinances come with application, appraisal, and closing fees - so you'll need to run the numbers to be sure the savings exceed the costs. It's also smart to check your break-even point and how long you plan to keep the loan, because a short timeline can wipe out any advantage.

All things considered, starting your car-loan refinance online is usually the smarter move. That way, you're comparing rates and applying from your couch instead of trekking to a bank or credit union. Because many online lenders run leaner operations than brick-and-mortar institutions, they can often pass those savings along as lower rates and more flexible terms. Many marketplaces even let you prequalify with a soft credit check - a quick way to size up your options without dinging your score.

When it comes to comparing different sites for auto loan refinancing, there are a few criteria you'll want to keep in mind:

Interest rates and terms. The whole point of refinancing is usually to get a better rate than you currently have. But don't stop there - be sure to look at the terms of the loan as well. How long will you have to pay it off? Are there any fees involved? And don't forget to read the fine print - you'll want to make sure there are no sneaky clauses that could come back to bite you later on.
Referral platform or direct lender. Some sites you'll visit serve as a referral platform, helping you check out your options with different banks and credit unions all in one shot. Others will offer to lend you the money directly. Make sure you know what you're getting before you start entering your SSN and other sensitive data.
Reputation. Is it a trustworthy service? Has it been rated by the Better Business Bureau? Are car owners like you getting good refi rates and excellent customer service?

Ultimately, the decision of which site to use for auto loan refinancing will depend on your individual circumstances. Maybe one lender offers a slightly lower interest rate, but another has better customer service or more flexible repayment options. To help you do your homework and crunch the numbers, the experts here at Top Consumer Reviews have rated and ranked some of today's most popular options for car loan refinancing. At the end of the day, those car payments are your hard-earned money, so why not make it go a little farther with a better loan?

Is it difficult to refinance a car loan?

If you're looking to refinance a car loan you'll find it's much easier to execute than in years past. Fortunately, car owners in 2021 have the option to go online to refinance a car loan. Even more, the online process makes it much easier than shopping in person. For those looking to refinance to perhaps lower their payment or even take advantage of a better interest rate, online car refinance can be as simple as a few clicks.

Benefiting from the Advantages of Online Car Loan Refinancing

Aside from preventing the hassle of finding a local finance company, driving there and finding a place to park, the online process offers conveniences that many people prefer. You simply input your personal data and car information to find a lender - no need to divulge your details to anyone, and it takes only a few minutes.

Stating the Amount You Need. You can click on the amount you want to borrow anywhere from zero dollars to several thousands.
Keeping Your Credit Score Private. The best part about not stating embarrassing information to another person occurs when you click on your credit score. Almost no one has a score they like, and most people do not want to talk about it. With an online application, you click on a range of scores that includes yours.
Choosing a Term. Lenders may offer you an option to take up to seven years to repay a loan. This is where a lower interest rate or longer loan term can significantly decrease your monthly car payment.
Viewing the Results. From the convenience of your home or office computer, you can instantly see the lenders who want to refinance your loan. The ability to allow multiple banks to compete for your loan means you'll receive more favorable interest rates to choose from.

Avoiding Dings on Your Credit Report

Until you find the lender you want to work with you, nothing affects your credit score. With the information that you provide on your credit rating, a lender knows what to expect from your report. For example, each lender who offers refinancing for your car loan shows you a rate online, and you can accept it or keep shopping. True, your lender may inquire about your credit report to approve you at the beginning of your application, but it does not affect your score until you actually apply for a car loan.

The privacy that shopping online affords you lets you protect your credit rating. A personal visit to a local lender potentially means a ding on your report. When you go to a banks local office, it becomes clear that you want to decide on the spot what you plan to do. You can avoid getting pushed into a decision too early in the process by checking various offers online without agreeing to proceed with anything.

Comparing Offers

Your access to online refinancing for your car loan gives you an advantage that you do not have in a face-to-face meeting with a lender. When you can see the offers that refinance lenders make online, you can pick the one you like the best. Whereas at a bank or finance office, you may feel required to make an important financial decision immediately.

Without a friend or relative to discuss the decision with you, the chance of accepting an offer too soon increases. In the quiet of your home, you have time to think about it and talk it over. Rushing into a deal you live with for years when you visit a loan company's office rarely provides the best outcome. Online shopping lets you choose an option your most comfortable with.

Busy schedules make it challenging to meet appointments, frequently wasting time when almost no one has the time to spare. When you shop for your car loan online, you can do it at the most convenient time of the day or night. Even better, it does not require an appointment. You can start or stop searching at any time, and you can apply as often as you like.

Getting the Best Deal

When shopping online to refinance your current car loan, many people do not realize they'll find a better interest rate than at a local credit union or bank. Without the expense of overhead costs of physical branches, lenders can afford to offer better rates. You can benefit from the difference between companies with low operating costs and banks with branches in many locations. When your lender has fewer expenses, it makes money available to attract customers like you. Online refinance gives you opportunities that do not happen otherwise.

Your chance of approval improves with online refinancing too. Traditional lending institutions tend to rely on your FICO score as proof of your creditworthiness. When you have a good or better score, they make it easy to get a loan. Online lenders take a more reasonable approach and may approve a lower score. In addition, they can look at many other things in your financial history that make you a good candidate that they can trust, such as regular payments of utility bills.

Taking Advantage of Available Options

Knowing that you can refinance your car loan puts you at an advantage financially. Industry experts say that less than half of people who buy motor vehicles know they refinancing is an option. In addition, only a small percentage of car buyers ever use refinancing. For those that are looking for ways to make ends meet, car loan refinancing can provide an excellent option to reduce monthly car loan expenses.

Choosing an Online Unsecured Loan

In the world of online finance, you can find loans that do not require any collateral to qualify for approval. Most online loans fit into the unsecured category, and it works for your benefit. Instead of borrowing against your assets, you have another option borrow. Lenders count on you to repay the money you borrow, but failure does not let them repossess your car. Whether you have assets that can secure a loan or not, you do not need them when you go online to refinance your vehicle. Of course, the consequences of failure exist as a practice that does not help you in the long run.

Uploading Minimal Documentation

When you choose an online lender, you can expect to provide some paperwork as part of an application. A few minutes of locating and uploading necessary documents seems much better than handing your private papers to someone in an office.

First, your lender must meet a federal requirement to confirm your identity. Most people use a driver's license or a passport, but you may use any government-issued ID.
Second, proof of your income shows lenders that you have the money to repay the loan. Then, when they assess it against some other factors, they can reach a decision. Some things they consider include your monthly expenses and employment situation, along with a credit check and a review of your credit card accounts.
Next, lenders need access to your credit and banking history, a task that requires your name and address, birthdate and Social Security number. You can understand their need for some reassurance when they entrust a large sum of money to you.
Then, you can expect to provide documentation to confirm your current residence. An up-to-date driver's license can provide it, but so can several other documents. For example, your property tax bill or a lease agreement can work equally well. In addition, a utility bill may serve as the verification lenders need.
Finally, a lender who agrees to give you a loan for a vehicle needs to know that you carry a viable insurance policy on it.

Getting Approval Faster

A quick approval is another reason that many prefer shopping and securing refinance loans online. When you apply electronically instead of personally, you can complete an application in a few minutes. Lenders who approve you ahead of time can respond immediately instead of making you wait to receive a letter in the mail. You most likely need the money when you ask for it, and online refinance lenders respond promptly to your application.

Caribou vs RefiJet

2026 Car Loan Refinance Reviews

Caribou

RefiJet

Car Loan Refinance FAQ