We can help steer you to your next ride. To get started, be sure you have checked your credit score, determined your budget and researched your new vehicle. Next, it’s time to apply for your auto loan.
If you’ve already picked out the vehicle you wish to buy, we’ll also need the:
Don’t have your vehicle picked out yet? No problem! Learn more about applying for pre-approval.
After submitting your application, you'll receive a text* or email letting you know the status of your application. We understand that when shopping for a car, you can’t always wait around for a decision. That’s why we typically provide auto loan decisions in 5 minutes or less. Footnote 1
Before applying for an auto loan, you'll need to know how much money you want to borrow, how long you want to take to pay it back (the term—typically 36 to 72 months) and how much you can afford to spend each month repaying the loan. Navy Federal will determine the interest rate that will apply, based on your credit score and other factors.
If you choose to get preapproved for your auto loan, you can know exactly how much you can borrow toward your new car and have your financing in-hand before you meet with the dealer. Once approved, you'll have up to 90 days to find the car of your dreams.
Working directly with Navy Federal prior to visiting the dealership could help you get a lower interest rate, not to mention a preapproval. The benefit of a preapproval is that with your financing in-hand, you can negotiate like a cash buyer. As a member of a credit union, your car loan rate could also be a little lower than what a typical bank offers, thanks in part to the exclusivity of membership.
Generally speaking, the higher your credit score, the lower your interest rate could be for an auto loan. We have tools and resources that could help you improve your credit if you don't feel ready to apply for a car loan after checking your credit.