We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with
confidence. While we don't cover every company or financial product on
the market, we work hard to share a wide range of offers and objective
editorial perspectives.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us for advertisements that
appear on our site. This compensation helps us provide tools and services -
like free credit score access and monitoring. With the exception of
mortgage, home equity and other home-lending products or services, partner
compensation is one of several factors that may affect which products we
highlight and where they appear on our site. Other factors include your
credit profile, product availability and proprietary website methodologies.
However, these factors do not influence our editors' opinions or ratings, which are based on independent research and analysis. Our partners cannot
pay us to guarantee favorable reviews. Here is a list of our partners.
Can I Get a Car Loan After Bankruptcy?
You can get a car loan after you filed for bankruptcy, but finding a lender and a desirable interest rate will be difficult.
Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising
partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or
click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our
evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and
here's how we make money.
Updated · 1 min read
How is this page expert verified?
NerdWallet's content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and
relevance. It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and
editors to ensure the information is as clear and complete as possible.
Cara Smith is a lead writer at NerdWallet, where she writes about investing, cryptocurrency and auto loans. She has reported on commercial real estate, housing and general business for Houston Business Journal, CoStar News and other publications. She studied journalism and psychology at the University of Houston, where she served as the editor-in-chief of its student newspaper. She is based in Chicago, where she searches night and day for authentic Tex-Mex in the Midwest.
Dawnielle Robinson-Walker supported content creation across verticals at NerdWallet as an at large editor before landing on Home mortgages in 2024. She spent over 16 years teaching college creative writing and African-American literature courses, as well as writing and editing for various companies and online publications. Prior to joining NerdWallet, she was an editor at Hallmark Cards. A Kansas City, Missouri native, barbecue sauce runs through her veins — and she'll never bet against the Chiefs.
Editor & Content Strategist
SOME CARD INFO MAY BE OUTDATED
This page includes information about these cards, currently unavailable on
NerdWallet. The information has been collected by NerdWallet and has not
been provided or reviewed by the card issuer.
You can get a car loan after filing for bankruptcy. While some lenders may not consider you at all, others will.
Because bankruptcy filings negatively affect your credit score, securing a loan with a desirable interest rate could prove challenging.
Still, you can do a few things to minimize the effects of a bankruptcy filing on your car loan and ensure you get the best deal possible.
How long should I wait after filing for bankruptcy to get a car loan?
Most lenders won't consider applicants with an active bankruptcy, so you'll likely have to wait until your bankruptcy is resolved.
Most individuals who file for bankruptcy file for Chapter 7. Those bankruptcies are typically discharged four to six months after filing.
Once your bankruptcy is discharged, though, you'll still likely have to wait before applying for a loan. Some lenders will only approve applicants whose bankruptcies were resolved 12 months ago, while others want applicants to wait 24 months before applying for a loan.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
Best for applicants who want to compare multiple new car purchase loan offers.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
4.0
Est. APR:
Annual percentage rate (APR) represents the true cost of
borrowing money. It is your interest rate plus any loan fees,
and is expressed as a percentage.
Annual percentage rate (APR) represents the true cost of
borrowing money. It is your interest rate plus any loan fees,
and is expressed as a percentage.
6.24 - 29.90%
Term: 24 - 84 months
You will be redirected to the partner's website.
The terms presented here are estimated and provided solely to assist you
in finding a great lender. The terms may vary based on the partner's terms
and conditions.
You will be redirected to the partner's website
The terms presented here are estimated and provided solely to assist you in finding a great lender. The monthly payment amount, Annual Percentage Rate (APR), and any other terms are based on standard Consumers Credit Union rates and terms for your NerdWallet provided credit score, zip code, and the other self-provided information. These terms may vary based on your credit history, your individual income, or other terms of the lender.
Auto Credit Express
New car purchase loan
Not yet rated
Best for new-car buyers who can’t qualify for a lower-rate loan through a traditional lender and need help finding a dealer with subprime lending.
Min score: None
Amount: No min. - $100,000
Min. AmountNo min.
Max. Amount$100,000
Not yet rated
Est. APR:
Annual percentage rate (APR) represents the true cost of
borrowing money. It is your interest rate plus any loan fees,
and is expressed as a percentage.
Annual percentage rate (APR) represents the true cost of
borrowing money. It is your interest rate plus any loan fees,
and is expressed as a percentage.
N/A - N/A
Term: 24 - 84 months
You will be redirected to the partner's website.
The terms presented here are estimated and provided solely to assist you
in finding a great lender. The terms may vary based on the partner's terms
and conditions.
You will be redirected to the partner's website
The terms presented here are estimated and provided solely to assist you in finding a great lender. The monthly payment amount, Annual Percentage Rate (APR), and any other terms are based on standard Consumers Credit Union rates and terms for your NerdWallet provided credit score, zip code, and the other self-provided information. These terms may vary based on your credit history, your individual income, or other terms of the lender.
What kind of car loan can I get after a bankruptcy?
There's no easy way around it: Prepare for an interest rate that may shock you.
A Chapter 7 bankruptcy stays on your credit report for 10 years. Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings stay on your credit report for seven years. But your credit recovery begins almost immediately after your debts are discharged. The longer you wait and build a sound financial record, the more likely you will be approved for a loan and see a lower rate.
Approvals will depend on many factors, not just your credit scores, but double-digit interest rates are a fact of life for those with a spotty financial history.
Credit score
Average APR, new car
Average APR, used car
Superprime: 781-850.
4.88%.
7.43%.
Prime: 661-780.
6.51%.
9.65%.
Nonprime: 601-660.
9.77%.
14.11%.
Subprime: 501-600.
13.34%.
19.00%.
Deep subprime: 300-500.
15.85%.
21.60%.
Source: Experian Information Solutions, 3rd quarter 2025. Based on VantageScore credit scoring model.
Consider your local credit union or lenders offering bad-credit auto loans when you're ready to start applying for loans. A preapproved loan gives you the confidence to shop where you want without worrying if you'll qualify. Most auto dealers are well-versed in post-bankruptcy auto loans, but a preapproved loan gives them a rate to beat.
What can I do to ensure I get the best auto loan after a bankruptcy?
Save as much as you can for a down payment.
Some loan offers made to buyers after bankruptcy may include hefty origination fees, sometimes thousands of dollars, to offset the potential risk. However, that may be the best loan you can get, and a larger down payment means you can cover those fees and still fall within the lender's loan to value guidelines.
You can also take time to beef up other factors that lenders consider, like the amount of time you've spent at your job and residence.
You'll likely have to accept a loan with higher-than-desirable interest rates, but keep in mind that you can refinance your loan within a year or so.
Article sources Article sources
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary,
trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed
studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with
industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness
and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high
standards for journalism by reading our
editorial guidelines.
