Manufacturing closures and supply chain difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic occurred throughout the world, decreasing vehicle supply even as demand quickly rebounded. This has resulted in a price increase in both the new and used car markets. And, given the current high inflationary pressures, prices are unlikely to fall.
As the cost of financing a car is determined by a variety of factors, including current supply constraints, credit score, vehicle type, and loan length, it's vital for consumers to grasp the current market conditions, including average pricing, normal monthly payments, and other rates to make the best judgments and find the greatest offers.
What is the average car payment?
Vehicle prices have been rising tremendously recently. New car and truck costs are up 12.2% year-on-year, while used car prices are up 40.5%. In the United States, the average consumer borrows $39,721 for new cars and $27,291 for used cars.
As a result, the average payment for new vehicles has risen to $644, a double-digit increase over the previous year: the increases are 11.8% for new cars, 18.2% for used cars, and 15.4% for leased cars, respectively, bringing the average monthly payments to $644, $488, and $531.
Here are some key figures:
- New car payment: $648/month (on average).
- Used car payment: $503/month (on average).
- 41.02% of buyers financed new vehicles (Q1 2022).
- 58.98% of consumers financed used vehicles (Q1 2022).
- SUVs account for more than 60% of all new car loans.
It is also important to note that credit score also has an impact on the average car payment.
The average car loan interest rate
The credit score determines the interest rate that can be expected (the lower the credit score, the higher the interest rate).
The following table shows the average interest rates for auto loans based on credit score.
| Credit score |
New cars |
Used cars |
| 781–850 |
2.40% |
3.71% |
| 661–780 |
3.56% |
5.58% |
| 601–660 |
6.70% |
10.48% |
| 501–600 |
10.87% |
17.29% |
| 300–500 |
14.76% |
20.99% |
| Average |
7.67% |
11.61% |
The interest rate is also affected by the loan's term. In general, the longer the term, the higher the interest rate.
| Loan term |
New cars |
Used cars |
| 36-month |
3.86% |
4.18% |
| 48-month |
3.93% |
4.22% |
| 60-month |
4.03% |
4.17% |
| 72-month |
4.12% |
4.07% |
What is the average car insurance payment?
According to Quadrant Information Services, full-coverage auto insurance costs an average of $1,771 per year or about $148 per month. Minimum coverage costs $545 per year on average.
The type of car has a considerable influence on the price of auto insurance - The cost of components and labor, the statistical likelihood of accidents, and the vehicle's safety and collision avoidance features can all have an impact on the premium.
How to calculate how much your car costs
Extra costs must be considered in addition to the monthly payment. These costs mainly include gasoline, insurance, and maintenance. However, drivers should also set money aside, at the very least enough to meet their deductible in case of an unexpected accident.
Calculating how much a car cost as a whole necessitates some guesswork.
However, there is a basic formula: Monthly payment + insurance costs + gasoline costs + average maintenance costs + registration, fees, and other obligatory taxes.
Depreciation of the vehicle is another issue to consider, but it is not a direct expense. Most automobiles depreciate in value over time.
What is the average down payment on a car?
According to recent
data, the average down payment on a new car in the first quarter of this year surpassed $6,000 for the first time ever. In the first quarter of 2021, the average down payment for a used car was $3,574, up 7% from the previous quarter. The average down payment on a new car has increased by 27% year over year to $6,026.
How long should a car loan be?
Over the last decade, the average length of a
new car loan has progressively increased. It is now 69.7 months, or nearly six years, for new autos. Used automobile loans, although being substantially shorter on average, come in second at 67.4 months.
The classic rule of thumb is to put down 20%, acquire a loan for no more than four years, and keep the entire monthly automobile budget to no more than 10% of one’s take-home earnings. However, given the current prices of new and secondhand cars, this rule is often disregarded. A 60-month loan duration is now commonly advised.
Conclusion
Over the course of the past several years, there has been a significant rise in the prices of new and used automobiles. In today's world, if you want to keep some money in your wallet, you have to be aware of the circumstances. Even though the interest rates that are offered for auto finance are determined by a number of factors that are outside of your control, there are still decisions that you can make that will enable you to exert some influence over this significant purchase.
Therefore, it is essential to take the time to analyze the many rates offers that are available, as well as work to improve your credit rating in order to become eligible for more favorable rates.
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