Auto Finance

What you will need to know about financing a vehicle purchase

An illustration of a truck carrying coins and dollar bills to denote APR and interest rate values in vehicle financing.
October 28, 2024

Understanding APR vs. interest rate for auto loans

Financing a vehicle purchase offers a convenient and affordable way for many people to get on the road. In return for those benefits, there are some borrowing costs involved and two of the most important are interest rate and annual…

Illustration of the front end of a car with a signed piece of paper with pen behind it.
September 5, 2024

What’s the minimum credit score to get a car loan?

You’ve probably heard that next to buying a home, getting a new or pre-owned vehicle is one of the largest purchases one can make. You may also be aware that factors to get financing in both homes and cars rely…

Illustration of person in car waving out the window next to a pillar with Principal and Interest written on it.
June 13, 2024

What is a simple interest contract in auto financing?

Just because auto financing involves simple interest contracts doesn’t mean everyone understands them. Asking the question “What is a simple interest contract?” is not unusual. To help you understand how simple interest contracts work, we’ve produced a short video that…

Illustration of two people sitting across from each other at a desk and one person signing a piece of paper.
May 21, 2024

What is a car title?

A car title is one of the most important documents you’ll sign when you purchase a vehicle. The title is issued by the state where you live. While the information included in the document can vary between states, you’ll generally…

Woman looking at computer
May 4, 2023

Use auto finance calculators before you buy your next car

Go figure. Before you purchase your next vehicle. The auto finance calculators in the Learning Center at Santander Consumer USA’s website can help you learn just how much car you can afford. While we are in the business of financing…

How long a car should be financed
December 16, 2022

Here’s how long a car should be financed new or used

Steer clear of financial potholes when you buy a car. That might be easier said than done if you already have your eye on a shiny new vehicle. But you could pay a price if you don’t know how long…