What it actually costs
Rate and cost data for subprime auto lending, sourced to Experian, the Federal Reserve, and the CFPB. Every table states the period its data covers, and these pages are re-checked against their sources at least twice a year.
- $25,000 Car Loan: Monthly Payment by Credit Tier and TermA $25,000 car loan runs $647 a month at the 18.86% subprime average over 60 months, with total interest as high as $16,071 over that same term.
- $30,000 Car Loan: Monthly Payment by Credit Tier and TermA $30,000 car loan runs $776 a month at the 18.86% subprime average over 60 months, with total interest reaching $20,321 stretched to 72 months.
- $40,000 Car Loan: Monthly Payment by Credit Tier and TermA $40,000 car loan runs $1,035 a month at the 18.86% subprime average over 60 months; at 21.58% deep subprime it is $995 over 72 with $31,647 interest.
- Buying a Car With a 500 Credit Score: What It CostsA 500 credit score is deep subprime: used-car APR averaged 21.58% in Q4 2025, so a $15,000 loan over 60 months runs about $411 a month.
- Buying a Car With a 550 Credit Score: What It CostsA 550 credit score sits mid-subprime, where used-car APR averaged 18.86% in Q4 2025 — a $15,000 loan over 60 months runs $388 a month.
- Buying a Car With a 600 Credit Score: What It CostsA 600 credit score tops the subprime tier at 18.86% average used-car APR. One point higher reaches near prime and saves $38 a month on $15,000.
- Buying a Car With a 650 Credit Score: What It CostsA 650 credit score is near prime, not bad credit: 14.11% average used-car APR in Q4 2025. Priced as subprime instead costs $51 a month on $20,000.
- What an 84-Month Car Loan Actually CostsAn 84-month loan on $20,000 at 18.86% costs $430 a month versus $517 at 60 months — but $16,162 in interest versus $11,036. The full arithmetic.
- What Is the Average Car Payment?Average auto loan APR ran 6.39% new and 11.43% used in Q1 2026; financing the $49,758 average new car over 72 months is $834 a month.
- Car Insurance With Bad Credit: What It CostsMost states let insurers price on a credit-based insurance score, so poor credit raises premiums — on top of a $388 payment at 18.86% on $15,000.
- What a 72-Month Car Loan Actually CostsOn $18,000 at 18.86%, 72 months costs $419 a month and $12,192 in interest versus $466 and $9,933 at 60 — the extra year buys $46 and costs $2,260.
- How Much Down Payment for a Car: What Each $1,000 BuysAt 18.86% over 60 months, every $1,000 down cuts the payment $26 and saves $552 in interest; at 21.58% over 72 months it saves $791. Full tables.