7 Auto Repair Loans for Bad Credit (Feb. 2024)

Auto Repair Loans

You depend on your car to make it from point A to point B. Without it, you may have trouble getting to work, the grocery store, and other important places. If your car breaks down and you need a repair, rest assured that you can take out an auto repair loan if you don’t have the cash to pay for it upfront.

An auto repair loan can resolve a flat tire, dead battery, or any other issue with your car so you can get back to driving in no time. To help take the guesswork out of choosing the ideal loan, we’ve compiled this list of seven auto repair loans for bad credit.

Best Personal Loans for Auto Repairs

Auto repair loans are essentially personal loans that are used for the purpose of repairing a vehicle. They come with various rates and terms so it’s important to consider all your options before deciding on one.

  • Short-term loans up to $5,000
  • Online marketplace of lenders
  • Funds available in as few as 24 hours
  • Simple online form takes less than 5 minutes
  • Trusted by more than 2 million customers
  • See official site, terms, and details.
★★★★★

4.8

Overall Rating

Loan Amount Interest Rate Loan Term Loan Example
Up to $5,000 Varies Varies

See representative example

MoneyMutual is an online marketplace you can use to find a variety of auto repair loans and select the right one for your unique situation. All you have to do is fill out a short online form, which should take less than five minutes to complete, and wait to get connected to lenders in its network.

While MoneyMutual does have a minimum income requirement of at least $800, you can still apply if you don’t have the best credit. You may be able to get approved for up to $2,500 and receive the money through direct deposit in just 24 hours.

MoneyMutual is available in every state except New York and has a track record of helping more than 2 million borrowers obtain personal loans, including auto repair loans.

2. Avant

  • Personal loans of $2,000 to $35,000
  • Compare rates in 2 minutes without affecting your credit
  • Best for low origination fees for bad credit
  • 550 minimum credit score required
  • Powered by Credible
  • See official site, terms, and details.
★★★★★

4.7

Overall Rating

Loan Amount Interest Rate Loan Term Loan Example
$2,000 to $35,000 9.95% - 35.99% 12 to 60 Months

See representative example

Using a loan from Avant to repair your car offers a practical solution to unexpected expenses. Whether it’s a sudden breakdown or routine maintenance, Avant’s personal loans provide the financial flexibility needed to get your vehicle back on the road quickly.

With Avant’s accessible application process and tailored loan terms, you can address car repairs promptly, ensuring your daily commute and essential errands remain uninterrupted. Don’t let car troubles derail your plans — Avant’s loans offer a convenient way to cover repair costs and ensure you can get to where you need to be.

3. Upstart

  • Personal loans starting at $1,000
  • Find loans you prequalify for, complete your application, and close your loan
  • Loans for 300+ FICO Scores
  • Checking rates doesn't impact your credit score
  • Powered by Credible
  • See official site, terms, and details.
★★★★★

4.7

Overall Rating

Loan Amount Interest Rate Loan Term Loan Example
$1,000 to $50,000 6.40% - 35.99% 3 or 5 Years

See representative example

Using a loan from Upstart to repair your vehicle, even with bad credit, can be a beneficial option. Upstart’s innovative approach to lending considers various factors beyond just credit scores, which means it may still offer competitive terms and rates tailored to your individual credit profile.

Repairing your vehicle with a loan from Upstart can provide the financial flexibility needed to address car-related expenses, ensuring your vehicle remains reliable for your daily needs. However, it’s essential to carefully review the terms and fees associated with the loan to ensure it aligns with your financial goals and capabilities.

A larger loan of up to $10,000 from CashUSA.com may be a good option if your auto repair is especially expensive, as long as you can pay it back on time and earn a monthly income of at least $1,000 after taxes. Once you fill out its online form, CashUSA.com will connect you to its network of short-term lenders.

Its partner lenders offer loans of between $500 and $10,000 with rates ranging from 5.99% and 35.99%. Fortunately, you won’t have to pay an application fee and can receive a loan decision in minutes, even if you have bad credit. In addition, CashUSA.com offers a variety of resources on its website you can use to help improve your finances.

If you have bad credit, Bad Credit Loans can connect you to lenders that can help. These loans range between $500 and $5,000 with interest rates of 5.99% up to 35.99% and loan terms of three to 60 months.

You are required to show proof of regular income from full-time employment, self-employment, or Social Security to take out a loan through Bad Credit Loans. If one of its lenders does approve you for an auto repair loan, you may get your money as soon as the next business day.

CreditLoan.com has matched more than 750,000 borrowers to lenders who offer personal loans that can be used for various purposes, including auto repairs. It offers loans that range from $250 up to $5,000 and you may get cash directly deposited into your account as quickly as the next business day.

You can also use CreditLoan.com to read lender and bank reviews, use interest rate calculators, and gain access to several other valuable financial resources.

With PersonalLoans.com, you can find an auto repair loan of between $500 and $35,000 with monthly repayments of three to 72 months. While you don’t need to have stellar credit to qualify for a loan with PersonalLoans.com, you must prove financial responsibility.

You can do so by showing that you don’t have any patterns of late payments, debt you can’t afford, or active or recent bankruptcies. PersonaLoans.com operates in all states and may be able to get you the cash you need for your auto repair in one business day.

Can You Finance Auto Repairs? 

There’s no denying that auto repairs are expensive. In fact, a study by the American Automobile Association (AAA) discovered that the average auto repair bill is between $500 and $600. While the organization encourages car owners to save at least $50 per month to cover unexpected auto repair expenses, this isn’t always possible.

If you don’t have an extra $50 laying around to save for auto repairs that you may incur in the future, know that you can finance auto repairs. In most cases, the ideal way to finance an auto repair is through a personal loan from an online lender that may approve you within minutes or hours and get you the funds you need quickly.

Since time is of the essence when it comes to auto repairs, an auto repair loan from an online lending network may be the way to go. These services can get you your money in just 24 hours or the next business day in most cases.

Direct Lenders vs Lending Networks

If you do finance an auto repair through a personal loan from a lending network, here’s an example of how it may work:

You get a car repair bill for $2,000. You take out a personal loan for that amount so you can pay the mechanic now and pay back your lender over time via fixed monthly payments. If the lender does not have any prepayment penalties, you can pay off your auto repair loan early and get out of debt sooner.

How Can I Get My Car Fixed with No Money? 

It can be stressful to find out your car needs repairing, especially if you don’t have the money to pay for it all at once. The good news is that you can fund an auto repair even if you’re short on cash. One of the best ways to do so is by doing your research and finding lenders that offer auto repair loans.

Once you apply for auto repair loans and receive some offers, closely compare each loan’s interest rates and terms. You’ll want to go with the offer that fits best with your budget and lifestyle needs.

For example, if you don’t have much money, an auto repair loan with a three-month term may not make sense. You may feel more comfortable with a loan that offers a 72-month term so that you can take your time paying it back.

The interest rate is another important consideration. If you get two auto repair loan offers that both have 72-month terms, but one offers a lower interest rate than the other, opt for the one with the lower interest rate. With a lower interest rate, you’ll end up paying less for your car repair and can save a great deal of cash in the long run.

While you may not land a great interest rate if you have bad credit, it’s still a good idea to explore all the options available. Not all lenders are created equal, and you may find that one lender offers you more favorable terms or interest rates than another.

Do Car Repair Shops Have Payment Plans? 

Car repair shops are aware of how pricey their services can be. That’s why many of them offer auto repair payment plans — or credit cards — for their customers.

These plans usually come with low or no-interest introductory rates and make it easy for you to pay for your auto repair right away. Here is one such example.

Maaco Credit Card

Many auto repair shops partner with Synchrony Car Care to provide special financing to their customers.

If you choose a car repair shop payment plan, the shop may thank you with a discount on your auto service. While this is great, keep in mind that the interest rates for auto repair shop payment plans almost always significantly increase after the promotional low or no-interest period, which is usually six months long.

For example, your local auto repair shop may offer a no-interest payment plan for the first six months. If you don’t pay back your repair within the six-month period, your interest rate may skyrocket to 29.99%. This can make your auto repair far more expensive than you originally anticipated.

If you feel confident you can repay your auto repair within the allotted period, a car repair shop payment plan may make sense. However, if you need more time than what is offered, you’d be better off taking out a personal loan from a lender whose interest rate will stay the same throughout your entire term.

Even if you have bad credit, you may be able to secure an auto repair loan with a fixed rate that you can comfortably afford.

Can I Get a Title Loan to Fix My Car?

Another way to pay for an auto repair is through a car title loan. Also known as a fast auto loan, a title loan can be a breeze to get. But that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.

You can expect to pay hefty fees and risk losing your car under the terms of a title loan. You can typically get a car title loan that ranges from $100 to $5,500, or 25% to 50% of the value of your car. It’s a very short loan that’s only 15 or 30 days long and will likely come with an annual percentage rate (APR) of 300% or more.

If you can’t pay your loan back, the lender may repossess your car and require you to pay costly fees as well as the past due amount to give it back to you. The good news is that there are a number of less risky and more affordable alternatives to title loans.

A personal loan is a good one because not only does it comes with much lower interest rates and longer terms, you don’t have to use your car as collateral and risk losing it if you can’t pay your loan back.

Get Your Car Fixed without the Hassle

While auto repairs can be frustrating, they’re not the end of the world. If you face an unexpected auto repair, take a deep breath and realize that you can pay for it even if you don’t have all the cash on hand.

With a personal loan from an online lending network, you can get the cash you need to fix your car and get back on the road in no time, regardless of your credit score.

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