If you’re ready to buy a car and are researching auto financing options, chances are you’re considering an auto loan from Wells Fargo. Founded in 1852, Wells Fargo Bank has provided personal loans, auto loans, mortgages, and more for centuries. Today, more than three million people have car loans through them.
Wells Fargo offers both new and used car loans to help you get behind the wheel. While the bank once provided auto loans directly to consumers, Wells Fargo now partners with over 11,000 independent auto dealerships throughout the United States.
Rather than applying at a Wells Fargo bank directly, you’ll apply through one of their partner dealerships after you’ve found a car that you’d like to buy. This company also offers loans for specialty vehicles, like motorcycles.
In addition to auto loans, Wells Fargo offers auto loan refinancing, and you can complete a refinance application directly with Wells Fargo. So even if you have a low credit score, you may still be eligible for refinancing. With terms up to 72 months, these loans offer plenty of versatility.
Wells Fargo Auto Loan Application Requirements
- Personal information, including your Social Security number
- Citizenship information
- Housing information, including your current residential address and previous addresses
- Income information, including your gross monthly income, your previous employer, and your current employer
- Details about the car, including its make and model, year, mileage, VIN, and condition
If you’re applying for a new or used car loan, the dealership selling the car will provide details on the vehicle. If you’re refinancing and working with Wells Fargo directly, you’ll need to have this information on hand. Be sure to have details on your current loan ready, too.
Wells Fargo Bank works with lower credit scores for refinance loans, so even if your credit isn’t the greatest, you may still get approved. However, keep in mind that your loan will probably have a higher interest rate if you have a lower credit score.
If you have a low credit score, you may want to apply for a loan with a co-applicant who has a stronger credit score. A co-applicant will apply for and open the loan with you. Having a co-applicant may mean you’ll enjoy a lower rate. Also, if your credit rating is too low for approval on its own, a co-applicant may be able to help you get approved.
Types of Wells Fargo Auto Loans
You can get both new and used car loans through Wells Fargo and can take out as little as $5,000 for a car purchase loan. They may also offer complete financing through used- or new-car loans, so you can drive your car off of the lot without even paying a down payment.
These 100% financing options can be appealing, but they can lead to negative equity, also called being upside-down on a car loan. If you have negative equity, you can run into trouble if you want to sell the car, if it’s stolen, or if it’s damaged and a total loss.
Wells Fargo won’t finance commercial vehicles, salvage vehicles, conversion vans, and models that manufacturers have discontinued. In addition, loans aren’t offered in Alaska, Arkansas, Hawaii, Louisiana, North Dakota, or Washington, D.C.
In addition to dealer financing options, Wells Fargo also offers auto loan refinancing. When you refinance an existing auto loan, you may enjoy several benefits:
- A lower annual percentage rate (APR) which reduces the interest you pay over the loan term
- Lower monthly payments, payday loans online same day thanks to reduced interest
- The option to choose different term and different payment options
- The ability to take a month off from your car payments (depending on when you refinance and close on that new loan)
Like its used-car loans, Wells Fargo has some restrictions on refinance loans, too. For example, Wells Fargo may not refinance loans for vehicles eight years and older or that have over 100,000 miles on them.
Fees and Rates
Since Wells Fargo offers loans through dealerships, loan terms and rates aren’t posted publicly. You’ll only learn of the loan’s rates after applying and being approved. Multiple factors impact the interest rate on a Wells Fargo car loan:
Purchase loans are available with terms as long as 75 months. If you’re looking to refinance, 24- to 72-month loan terms are available.
Wells Fargo Auto Loan Reviews
One of the best ways to find a great auto loan lender is by reading third-party reviews. You can discover what actual customers are saying about them before you choose to do business with them.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) currently gives Wells Fargo Auto Loan a B .’ They have very few complaints for a big bank. You will find plenty of 4- and 5-star Wells Fargo Auto Loan reviews at several other review sites as well.
Wells Fargo Auto Loan Application Process
Wells Fargo doesn’t provide car loans directly to consumers. Instead, you can apply for a car loan through a dealership. Unfortunately, that means you can’t get preapproved for a car loan before shopping for a car. This makes it difficult to compare your loan rates with loans from other providers. Also, Wells Fargo auto loans aren’t suitable if you’re buying a car from a private seller because you need to apply through a dealership.
If you’re looking to refinance an auto loan, you’ll work with Wells Fargo directly. You can apply to refinance your existing auto loan online or call 1-800-289-8004 to speak with a loan specialist.
Special Features
If you’re an existing customer and you set up automatic payments through your Wells Fargo checking account, you can get a 0.25% discount on your auto loan payment.
Bottom Line
It’s important to be aware that, after agreeing to a settlement in 2018, Wells Fargo is paying $385 million to auto loan customers. When those customers signed up for a Wells Fargo auto loan, they were reportedly signed up for auto insurance without being aware of it. As with any loan, always read your contract carefully and be sure to monitor your bank statements and credit card charges.
If you’re buying a car from a private seller, a loan from Wells Fargo won’t be the right option for you. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to be preapproved for a Wells Fargo loan. Instead, you will need to apply once you find the car you want to buy. To compare rates, consider getting preapproved for loans with other auto lenders so you can decide if the Wells Fargo loan is right for you.
