The Mistakes That Come With a Longer Auto Loan Term

Most car buying stories start in a similar fashion. You have your eyes fixated on the new car but the high monthly payments do not match your current budget. The dealer suggests that you opt for a longer term period that reduces your monthly payments. You agree, thereby, falling into the vicious cycle of negative car equity. The common mistake while purchasing a car is ignoring the auto loan term. Additionally, it becomes all the more important to ascertain your loan term when you suffer from bad credit. Avoid making the following mistakes relating to loan term to ensure that your car buying decision is financially sound.

4 Mistakes that you can make with a Long Auto Loan Term

1) Getting into the rut of negative car equity

The longer the term on your auto loan, the more the build-up of negative equity. A shorter term period lessens your overall auto loan amount. Negative car equity is built when you owe the lender more than the current worth of your car. A longer time frame on your auto loan means additional interest amount whereas a short term period builds positive equity and helps you to obtain a higher amount during a trade-in or resale.

2) Paying high interest rates

The interest charged on an auto loan is the additional money you pay, over and above the price of the car. Ideally, it makes sense to opt for a shorter loan term with low interest rates. When you increase the length of the loan term, you are increasing the dollars you spend on the car. Make sure you consider the whole picture and take into account the overall loan amount along with the loan term when you purchase your next car.

3) Receiving a low resale value

A low resale value is reason enough to steer clear of the extra-long auto loans. The time you take to repay the auto loan amount significantly impacts the resale value of the car. The car value starts depreciating the minute you drive it off the dealership lot. In regards to the length of the loan term, a five-year old car is more favorable than a seven-year old car. Therefore, the shorter the loan term, the more resale value you will obtain when you sell the car.

4) Spending on high maintenance costs

Car fatigue is another reason to switch to a shorter loan term. Once you have hit your five-year mark on a car, a trade-in might be right around the corner. The average age of a car during a trade-in is five years. However, if you opt for a 72-month auto loan, the option of trade-in diminishes and your maintenance cost increases. Thus, a shorter term will not only get you a favorable resale value, but will also reduce your car maintenance costs during a trade-in.

The Ideal Solution

Every problem has a solution. A large down payment, opting for a bad credit auto loan and showing strong evidence of your sources of income will assist you when you face a difficult situation. Additionally, keep in mind the impact of negative car equity and high interest rates. Stay determined to repay your auto loan amount within a shorter time and make sure to improve your credit score for a smooth car purchase in the future.