
Auto Loan Pre-Approval: How to Get Pre-Approved Before You Buy
Getting pre-approved for an auto loan before you visit the dealership is one of the smartest moves you can make as a car buyer. Pre-approval
PrimeRates provides access to personalized loan offers through our simple and quick pre-qualification application. Once you’re pre-qualified, you can select the best offer for you and finalize the loan application with the lender.
1
Simple pre-qual application in less than 1 minute.
2
Choose the offer that best fits your needs.
3
Finalize your loan offer, get approved, and receive funds.
If you need a small-amount personal loan, consider these five lenders. All offer fixed rates with predictable, fixed monthly payments, plus easy online applications. Personal loans are often utilized for major life expenses, such as home renovations, major surgery or even a wedding. But small personal loans can be useful as well for things like car repairs or vacations. Credit cards can be used for small expenses, but they may not be ideal if you have a high interest rate, low credit limit or if you aren’t able to qualify for a card.
Additionally, banks and credit unions may not be willing to approve a loan for a small amount. Online lenders, however, typically offer a wider range of loan amounts, and with more lenient borrowing criteria than traditional financial institutions.
If you need a small-amount personal loan, consider these five lenders. All offer fixed rates with predictable, fixed monthly payments, plus easy online applications. Personal loans are often utilized for major life expenses, such as home renovations, major surgery or even a wedding. But small personal loans can be useful as well for things like car repairs or vacations. Credit cards can be used for small expenses, but they may not be ideal if you have a high interest rate, low credit limit or if you aren’t able to qualify for a card.
Additionally, banks and credit unions may not be willing to approve a loan for a small amount. Online lenders, however, typically offer a wider range of loan amounts, and with more lenient borrowing criteria than traditional financial institutions.
| Lender | APR range | Loan terms | Minimum loan size |
| Upgrade | 6.94% — 35.97% | 36 and 60 months | $1,000 |
| Upstart | 5.99% – 35.89% | 36 to 60 months | $1,000 |
| OneMain Financial | 18.00% — 35.99% | 24, 36, 48 and 60 months | $1,500 |
| Best Egg | 5.99% — 29.99% | 36 and 60 months | $2,000 |
| LendingPoint | 15.49% — 34.99% | 24 to 48 months | $2,000 |
| Prosper | 7.95% — 35.97% | 36 to 60 months | $2,000 |
| Avant | 9.95% — 35.99% | 24 to 60 months | $2,000 |
| Marcus | 6.99% – 24.99% | 36 to 72 months | $3,500 |
Of the five lenders on our list, Upgrade offers the smallest minimum personal loan amount, starting at just $1,000. But you can pick up a loan all the way up to $50,000. Loan terms are offered at either 36 or 60 months, origination fees range from 2.9% to 8% and there are no early prepayment fees. Borrowers with excellent credit will enjoy low interest rates starting at just 6.94%. Once you’re approved, Upgrade sends money to your bank account within one day. The online application is easy and straightforward.
OneMain Financial has the second lowest minimum loan amount on our list, starting at just $1,500. However, their interest rates start at a steep 18.00%, which is much higher than the starting interest rates of the other four lenders. But one of OneMain’s benefits over the other four lenders is they have some physical branches across the country. That means you can apply and speak to someone in person. OneMain also has more loan terms available than some online lenders — it offers 24-, 36-, 48-, and 60-month options. The origination fee depends on the state you reside in. For example, while the minimum you can borrow is $1,500 for most, the minimum loan amount in California is $3,000, and in Georgia, it’s $3,100.
Best Egg is an online-only lender offering loans starting at a low $2,000, going all the way up to $50,000. Interest rates start at very low rates for those with excellent credit, at only 5.99% at the lowest end. And origination fees range from 0.99% to 5.99%. The online application is fast and easy with Best Egg, and you’ll get the money delivered to your bank account within as little as one day following approval. Best Egg offers 36- and 60-month personal loan options, and there are no prepayment penalties if you’re able to pay off your loan early.
LendingPoint offers loans starting at just $2,000, with a maximum amount of $25,000.
The lender focuses on what they call NearPrime™ customers, or people with credit scores in the 600s. Interest rates range from 15.49% to 34.99% APR. If your credit isn’t as strong as it could be, LendingPoint could be a good bet. The lender offers personal loan terms of 24 or 48 months. And it has customers commit to bi-weekly payments rather than monthly to help making budgeting easier. Origination fees range from 0% to 6%. Once you’re approved, money is transferred to you the next day.
SoFi’s personal loans have the highest minimum loan amount of the five on our list, with loans starting at $5,000 and ranging up to $100,000. But it has one of the lowest starting APRs around — 5.99%. The APR maxes out at a reasonable 18.64% if you enroll in AutoPay, which is by far the lowest interest rate cap among all five lenders. Another big perk of SoFi is that unlike most lenders, they don’t charge an origination fee, saving you significant money. SoFi also offers more terms than most online lenders, with 36-, 48-, 60- and 84-month loan options. It also has no prepayment penalties. The lender is unique in that it offers unemployment protection, allowing you to pause payments if you lose your job.
Of the five lenders on our list, Upgrade offers the smallest minimum personal loan amount, starting at just $1,000. But you can pick up a loan all the way up to $50,000. Loan terms are offered at either 36 or 60 months, origination fees range from 2.9% to 8% and there are no early prepayment fees. Borrowers with excellent credit will enjoy low interest rates starting at just 6.94%. Once you’re approved, Upgrade sends money to your bank account within one day. The online application is easy and straightforward.
OneMain Financial has the second lowest minimum loan amount on our list, starting at just $1,500. However, their interest rates start at a steep 18.00%, which is much higher than the starting interest rates of the other four lenders. But one of OneMain’s benefits over the other four lenders is they have some physical branches across the country. That means you can apply and speak to someone in person. OneMain also has more loan terms available than some online lenders — it offers 24-, 36-, 48-, and 60-month options. The origination fee depends on the state you reside in. For example, while the minimum you can borrow is $1,500 for most, the minimum loan amount in California is $3,000, and in Georgia, it’s $3,100.
Best Egg is an online-only lender offering loans starting at a low $2,000, going all the way up to $50,000. Interest rates start at very low rates for those with excellent credit, at only 5.99% at the lowest end. And origination fees range from 0.99% to 5.99%. The online application is fast and easy with Best Egg, and you’ll get the money delivered to your bank account within as little as one day following approval. Best Egg offers 36- and 60-month personal loan options, and there are no prepayment penalties if you’re able to pay off your loan early.
LendingPoint offers loans starting at just $2,000, with a maximum amount of $25,000.
The lender focuses on what they call NearPrime™ customers, or people with credit scores in the 600s. Interest rates range from 15.49% to 34.99% APR. If your credit isn’t as strong as it could be, LendingPoint could be a good bet. The lender offers personal loan terms of 24 or 48 months. And it has customers commit to bi-weekly payments rather than monthly to help making budgeting easier. Origination fees range from 0% to 6%. Once you’re approved, money is transferred to you the next day.
SoFi’s personal loans have the highest minimum loan amount of the five on our list, with loans starting at $5,000 and ranging up to $100,000. But it has one of the lowest starting APRs around — 5.99%. The APR maxes out at a reasonable 18.64% if you enroll in AutoPay, which is by far the lowest interest rate cap among all five lenders. Another big perk of SoFi is that unlike most lenders, they don’t charge an origination fee, saving you significant money. SoFi also offers more terms than most online lenders, with 36-, 48-, 60- and 84-month loan options. It also has no prepayment penalties. The lender is unique in that it offers unemployment protection, allowing you to pause payments if you lose your job.

Getting pre-approved for an auto loan before you visit the dealership is one of the smartest moves you can make as a car buyer. Pre-approval

Personal loans are one of the most flexible ways to borrow money. You can use the funds for debt consolidation, home repairs, medical bills, or

Finding the right credit card can save you hundreds of dollars a year in fees and earn you cash back, points, or travel miles on

Compare the best debt consolidation loans of 2026. Find low rates, learn how consolidation works, and get tips for paying off credit card debt faster.

If you want to buy a new car, used vehicle, truck, or motorcycle, the auto loan rates you get can save or cost you thousands.

If you are carrying balances on multiple credit cards or loans, keeping track of due dates, interest rates, and minimum payments can feel overwhelming. Debt
