Car Loan Refinancing — 11% to 6%

Refinancing from 11% to 6% — what you actually save

Direct Answer
Dropping from 11% to 6% on a $25,000 balance with 60 months remaining saves $60/month and $3,614 total. Refinancing costs $0-300 in fees — you break even in roughly 25 months.

Monthly savings by loan balance

Loan BalanceOld payment (11%)New payment (6%)Monthly savingsTotal savings (60mo)
$10,000$217$193$24/mo$1,446
$15,000$326$290$36/mo$2,169
$20,000$435$387$48/mo$2,892
$25,000$544$483$60/mo$3,614
$30,000$652$580$72/mo$4,337
$35,000$761$677$84/mo$5,060
$40,000$870$773$96/mo$5,783

60-month remaining term assumed. Actual savings depend on your balance and remaining months.

Is a 5% rate drop worth the paperwork?

$60
Monthly savings (25K balance)
$3,614
Total savings over loan
25 months
Breakeven point

At 5%, this is a refinance worth doing. Most lenders charge no fees on auto refinancing. Free application, 24-hour approval, and $60 back in your pocket every month. The only reason not to: if you are within 12 months of paying the loan off.

Run your numbers

See your full Ownership Score with the new rate

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Refinancing questions — 11% to 6%

How much can I save refinancing my car loan from 11% to 6%?
On a $25,000 balance with 60 months remaining, dropping from 11% to 6% saves approximately $60/month and $3,614 total over the life of the loan.
Is it worth refinancing a car loan from 11% to 6%?
A 5% rate reduction is worth refinancing in most cases. On a $25,000 balance, you save $3,614 over 60 months. Typical refinancing costs are $0-$300 in fees, which you recover in 25 months.
What credit score do I need to refinance at 6%?
A 6% APR generally requires a credit score of 720+. If your score has improved since your original loan, you likely qualify for a significantly lower rate.
When should I refinance my car loan?
Refinance when your credit score has improved 40+ points since purchase, when market rates have dropped by 1.5%+, or when you are within the first 3 years of a 5-6 year loan. Refinancing in the final year rarely saves enough to justify the paperwork.
How long does car loan refinancing take?
Most online lenders approve refinancing in 24-48 hours. The full process -- application, approval, payoff, new loan -- takes about one week. Your payment does not change until the new loan is active.