When to Refinance Your Car

If you are considering refinancing your car, you should only do so for the following three reasons:

1) You can get a better interest rate. If you can get a rate at least 1 percent better (and preferably 3 or 4 percent better), go ahead and refinance your auto loan. You won't get much benefit from anything smaller than 1 percent. Mentally it may seem like 5.99% is better than 6.25%, but the reality is that they're so close it's not even worth your time.

2) Not being able to make payments on your car loan is another reason you should refinance. If you can't afford the payments and may default on your loan, definitely refinance. If there is a possibility that your car will be repossessed in the next couple months, refinance as soon as you can if this will prevent repossession.

3) Not being able to afford payments on your home loan is a definite reason why you should refinance your auto loan. This will only work if refinancing your auto loan will lower your car payments. Then you can use the money you save on your car loan to pay your mortgage.

However, if you're thinking about getting equity out of your car so you can get money to pay other bills, you should know that this is NOT a good reason to refinance. Cars do not have equity since they are depreciating assets, and each day they are worth less than the day before.

If you owe less on your car than it is worth, you shouldn't borrow against this equity since it won't last very long. "Car equity loans" are offered by some banks but are never a good idea. Think about it this way. Would it be worth it to get a $100 today if that means you would have to make two years of extra payments on your car?

If you do choose to refinance for extra cash now, you will regret doing so in two or three years when you are making those extra couple years of payments. The only reason you should refinance is if you are at risk of defaulting on a major asset.

If you decide that you should refinance, follow this advice:

The bank should not charge you for your business. Unless the fees are minor such as the $20 for a new lien or title, walk away. Do not pay big charges like "financing fees" or "loan origination fees."

Don't add more time to your loan. Unless you're desperate to lower your payment, try to get a loan that ends at the exact same time your original loan would have. For example, if you buy a car using a five-year loan, and in a couple of years you decide to refinance it, don't take out another five-year loan. All you'd have done is extend the amount of time that you'll be paying for your car.

Check with your credit union. Credit unions have great rates, they want to help you, and they're willing to work with you more than a regular bank will, especially if you're in a situation where you're at risk of defaulting.

By: Jason Lancaster.

Author Jason Lancaster, an auto industry veteran, developed AccurateAutoAdvice.com. You'll find accurate advice on when to refinance your car and refinancing an auto loan.

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