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Americans love their cars, trucks, and SUVs. Some love them so much they’ll own two vehicles at the same time — and often make payments on two auto loans at the same time as a result.But having two auto loans can really add up. The average monthly payment for a new car is $716, according to Experian, and for a used one, it’s $526 as of the fourth quarter of 2022. So multiple auto loans can mean a significant household outlay. But if owning two vehicles makes sense of you, it could well mean having two auto loans.Since that scenario does represent a potential household financial risk, it's good to know if you’re considering owning two vehicles what steps you can take to make the process smoother and prevent any personal financial damage.
So, Can You Have Two Car Loans at Once?
You may ask, “Can I have two car loans at once?” The short answer to this question is yes, you can. There are, however, many factors and caveats to consider. Perhaps a better question is whether you should hold two auto loans at the same time. That answer depends on your unique financial and household situation.In certain circumstances, having multiple car loans may make good financial and lifestyle sense. These circumstances can include any of the following:
You Have Two or More Breadwinners in the Home
If both spouses or life partners have jobs that require a commute and that commute can’t be shared in a single vehicle, owning two cars may well be a necessity, not a luxury.
You Sell or Trade Vehicles for a Living
There’s no shortage of collectors in the auto trade business who, for valid business reasons, may need to carry two or more auto loans simultaneously. While some individual auto sellers are committed to cash-only deals, some may prefer loan financing with a trusted lender.
You Own More Than One Home
While this certainly qualifies as a problem many people would like to have, owning two homes may necessitate the ownership of two cars and two car loans at the same time. This is especially true for homeowners with residencies in two states. In that situation, it may make sense, at least for convenience’s sake, to hold two auto loans.
You Have a Small Business That Requires Two or More Vehicles
Many small business owners — think painters, contractors, florists, bakers, and other “on the move” trades — may need two or more vehicles. Consider a landscaping company owner whose business is growing and needs more trucks to get workers to an expanding list of client sites. Financing multiple trucks and trailers is well worth it if a business is generating more profit thanks to those purchases.
Your Teenager Needs a Set of Wheels to Get Around
Many parents know the reality of having to buy an extra car to get a college-bound son or daughter to campus (and give them a way to get around once they’re there).
Getting Approved for a Second Auto Loan While You Already Have a Car Loan
While it can be perfectly reasonable to hold multiple car loans, getting the second one may prove harder than getting the first. That’s primarily due to lender risk. Auto lenders may be more reluctant to extend a second auto loan to an individual. That said, getting approved isn’t insurmountable.
Don’t Take Out Two Auto Loans on One Vehicle
Having two auto loans on separate vehicles is generally OK. But lenders may not want to do business with you if you’re looking for multiple auto loans for a single car.Even if you find a lender who will green-light two auto loans for a single vehicle, that path leads to significantly higher debt, more potential damage to your credit score, and higher monthly auto payments.If you’re interested in owning two vehicles or more with multiple car loans, here are some factors to consider:
Know the Qualifications for a Second Loan Approval
Auto lenders and banks will typically give extra scrutiny to current auto loan borrowers seeking a second car loan. The hurdles to a second loan may include the following:
Your credit history. Personal credit remains the primary barometer for auto lenders deciding whether or not to approve a second car loan. You’ll need to show you’re making on-time payments, you’re not overusing credit (i.e., keeping your debt-to-income ratio for a car loan low), and you have a robust FICO® Score. Any score over 660 can put you in prime position for a second auto loan.
Your annual income. Since you already have an active auto loan that hasn’t been repaid, lenders will focus particularly on your income. Specifically, the lender usually wants to see if your income can easily cover a second auto loan. Since auto purchases also lead to additional expenses, like maintenance, repair, gasoline, insurance, and state registration fees, your annual income should be able to handle not only the car loan, but the expenses that go with auto ownership.
Debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Overall household debt compared with income, meaning the debts you’ve accumulated vs. your personal financial assets, is a big deal to auto lenders reviewing a second auto loan application. Ideally, your DTI ratio would be about 35% debt to 65% assets. More debt could lead to an auto loan rejection.
The second vehicle’s value. Auto lenders will also study your second car’s estimated value. In general, the less expensive the vehicle is, the better your chances of getting a second auto loan approved. It’s simple math weighed against risk. The less cash you borrow, the better your odds of repaying the loan.
Your down payment. Additionally, it’s helpful to bring a hefty down payment on a car. Anything more than 20% of the vehicle’s estimated value is likely to help your cause with a lender.
Consider Getting a Cosigner
If getting a second car loan stretches your income (or if a lender thinks it could) it may help to get a cosigner. A cosigner should be someone you trust and who trusts you who has a strong credit history and good income.Just as when you’re getting a cosigner for a refinance, this person must also be willing to share the responsibility for the loan with you. If they cosign, that means that if you can’t make a payment, they will be responsible. A cosigner can improve your chances of getting a loan because they may reduce risks for the lender.
Taking on a Personal Loan vs Traditional Auto Loan
Since the stakes are higher with a second auto loan, overextended borrowers may need to expand their vehicle financing options.One way to do that is to weigh a traditional auto loan against a personal loan. Sometimes it can be easier to grab online personal loans, but there are risk factors involved with both personal loans and regular auto loans.Here’s a closer look at some of the factors involved:
Interest rates. Personal loan interest rates are typically higher than traditional car loan rates, with the rate ceiling on a personal loan at approximately 36% and the ceiling on a regular car loan at about 25%.
Loan terms. Loan repayment timelines are about the same with both personal loans and traditional auto loans. Personal loans usually need to be paid back within two to seven years while a regular car loan repayment period stands at between three to seven years. Lenders of exotic car financing, however, may offer 144-month auto loans.
Down payments. Down payments are not required for a personal loan but they may be required with traditional car loans.
Loan fees. Personal loan origination fees can be as high as 10% in some instances, whereas loan fees for regular car loans usually range between 1% and 2% of the loan amount. The finance charges on a car loan may consist of interest and fees.
Collateral. Personal loans for autos typically require no collateral. That’s not the case with traditional auto loans, where the vehicle itself is usually the collateral. There are multiple types of car loans, including secured auto loans and unsecured auto loans.
So, which is right for you as a second car loan: An auto loan or a personal loan? The answer depends. If you can get an auto loan and you can afford a down payment, you will likely pay less in interest and fees. But if you are having trouble finding an auto loan or don’t have a down payment at the ready, an unsecured personal loan could be what it takes to let you get that second car.
The Takeaway
Balancing two auto loans simultaneously may seem challenging, but it may be doable if you have a decent income and a history of on-time payments. Just be sure you really need to have two quality vehicles at the same time.If you decide it might be a good time to refinance your first auto loan, Lantern by SoFi can help. Refinancing a car may be right for you if you can lock in a lower interest rate.Compare auto loan refinance rates with Lantern by SoFi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get one loan if you're buying two cars at the same time?
How do you get a second car loan if you already have one?
How many car loans can one person have?
Photo credit: iStock/shapecharge
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About the Author
Brian O'Connell
Brian O’Connell is a freelance writer based in Bucks County, Penn. A former Wall Street trader, he is the author of the books CNBC's Creating Wealth and The Career Survival Guide. His work has appeared in multiple media platforms, including TheStreet.com, Bloomberg, CBS News, Yahoo Finance, and U.S. News & World Report.
