Name: Auto Credit Express: 2024 auto loan review
Item: Auto Credit Express
Rating: 3.2
Author: Rebecca Betterton

At a glance

Find my best rate

with Bankrate

3.2

Bankrate Score

Availability

4.3

Affordability

3.4

Customer Experience

3.5

Transparency

2.0

Full methodology

Bankrate’s take

If you have poor credit, finding a competitive rate on a car loan can be challenging. The best way to secure an auto loan with poor credit is to shop with a bad credit lender. Auto Credit Express operates as a lender network, which can make it easier to find a good fit. Furthermore, some lenders in the network even work with individuals who have experienced bankruptcy.

Lender Details

Loan amount

$5,000-$45,000

APR from

Varies by lender

Min Credit Score

Not Specified

Funds available in

Not Specified

Auto Credit Express is best for borrowers with bad credit

Auto Credit Express is not a direct lender but rather an online lending marketplace that helps connect prospective borrowers with lenders. Although car financing is available for borrowers with varying credit backgrounds, Auto Credit Express has tailored solutions for bad credit borrowers. If you have little to no credit history or have faced challenges getting approved for an auto loan due to a prior or current bankruptcy, you could be in luck with Auto Credit Express.

Types of car loans that Auto Credit Express offers

The lenders in the Auto Credit Express network offer new, used and refi auto loans with varying terms.

	New and used auto loans	Refinance auto loans
APR	Varies by lender	Varies by lender
Loan amounts	$7,000 to $45,000	$7,000 to $45,000
Loan terms	36 to 72 months	36 to 72 months

New and used auto loans

If you are looking to finance a new or used vehicle, Auto Credit Express offers options through its lender network. Rates and terms vary but available loans cater directly to drivers with good, bad or no credit history at all. However, if you are buying a new car, you will be limited to inventory from Auto Credit Express’s partnered dealerships.

Auto loan refinancing

Refinancing your current auto loan can be a great option to lower your monthly payment and adjust your rate. Although Auto Credit Express does not disclose specific credit requirements, its website states that most lenders approve drivers with “good” or above average credit. So, while Auto Credit Express specializes in bad credit loans, refi caters more to drivers with better credit.

Where Auto Credit Express stands out

Bad credit financing: Auto Credit Express partners directly with bad credit lenders to help consumers with no or poor credit to access auto loans.
Cosigners allowed: The lender encourages borrowers to add a cosigner to their loans. Adding a friend or family member with strong credit can help individuals with bad credit receive more competitive rates.
Low minimum income requirements: Auto Credit Express has a minimum monthly income requirement of $1,500 to $2,500.

Where Auto Credit Express falls short

Limited vehicle inventory: Auto Credit Express borrowers will not be able to use their auto loan to purchase any vehicle. Instead, you will be stuck with vehicles only from partnering dealerships.
Unknown rates: The lender is not transparent about expected rates. There is no information about expected APRs, which can be especially daunting for those with poor credit.
Customer service: Assistance is only available on the weekdays, and there is no online chat feature at the time of writing.

Auto Credit Express customer resources

Customer support

Customer support is available via an online contact form or on the phone at 866-902-4403. Agents are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET.

Digital experience

The Auto Credit Express website appears somewhat dated and features a menu-heavy layout that can be difficult to navigate. There is also no chat option available to potential or current borrowers. However, you can still fill out a loan request form online. The company also prominently features its phone number for those who prefer to speak directly with someone.

How this lender compares

Although the lender marketplace serves poor credit borrowers, it is best to compare bad credit auto loan rates before making your decision.

Auto Credit Express vs. CarsDirect

CarsDirect also specializes in helping credit-challenged borrowers get auto loan financing. Like Auto Credit Express, it connects you with a dealer from its network to find the perfect ride and secure a car loan. But CarsDirect offers a slight edge over Auto Credit Express: You can search for vehicles by make and model directly from the website or check for deals in your local area.

Auto Credit Express vs. Fifth Third Bank

Fifth Third Bank is a direct lender offering new and used auto loans along with auto loan refinancing. Plus, you could be eligible for a 0.25 percent discount on your current loan if the payment is deducted from a Fifth Third Bank checking account using autopay. Unfortunately, there is no online prequalification tool, and loans are limited to consumers in select states.

Do you qualify for an Auto Credit Express auto loan?

The specific requirements vary depending on the lender, but Auto Credit Express outlines the primary expectations when applying for a bad credit loan.

Be at least 18 years old
Proof of at least $1,500 to $2,500 in monthly income
Employed full-time or guarantee of fixed income
Address and proof of residency in the U.S. or Canada
Have a valid driver’s license
Can acquire auto insurance

You can also expect to pay a down payment of at least $1,000 or 10 percent of the selling price of the vehicle.

How to get an Auto Credit Express auto loan

An Auto Credit Express loan application can be done fully online or via the phone. The lender states it should take just three minutes.

Submit a loan request form:

First, you must input basic information on your name, income, address (including rent payments), employment and SSN.
Get matched with a lender:

At this point, you will be paired with a lender. Keep in mind that while Auto Credit Express doesn’t pull your credit report, the lender you’re matched with likely will, resulting in a hard inquiry.
Shop for vehicle:

Lastly, a dealer in your area will contact you and arrange for a time to visit the dealership. Your financial information will be verified, and you will be able to purchase a vehicle.

- Full name
- Social Security number
- Date of birth
- Address and time living there
- Email address and phone number
- Housing payment
- Employment information
- Monthly income

How Bankrate rates this lender

Auto Credit Express receives two Bankrate Scores. One is for its new and used loans, the other is for its auto loan refinance products.

Overall Score	3.2
Availability	4.3	While new, used and refi loans are available, the dealership requirement and middle-tier loan amounts produce a lower score.
Affordability	3.4	Acceptance criteria cater to poor credit drivers but with rates and terms varying by the lender, affordability is tough to measure.
Customer Experience	3.5	The combination of limited hours and poor online reviews, customer service slants lower.
Transparency	2.0	Auto Credit Express lacks transparency around its rates and terms but does provide prequalification in some cases.

Overall Score	3.2
Availability	4.0	While new, used and refi loans are available, the dealership requirement and middle-tier loan amounts produce a lower score.
Affordability	3.4	Acceptance criteria cater to poor credit drivers but with rates and terms varying by the lender, affordability is tough to measure.
Customer Experience	3.6	The combination of limited hours and poor online reviews, customer service slants lower.
Transparency	2.0	Auto Credit Express lacks transparency around its rates and terms but does provide prequalification in some cases.

Methodology

Bankrate's trusted auto loans industry expertise

Read our full methodology

48

years in business

26

lenders reviewed

20

loan features weighed

520

data points collected

The Bankrate team uses a 20-point system to evaluate auto loan lenders across four main categories.

Loan amounts, repayment options, dealership requirements and state availability all contribute to this category. Lenders that serve customers nationwide with flexible loan amounts rank higher.
This section houses annual percentage rate ranges, acceptance criteria, fees and discounts. Lenders with the lowest rates, fewest fees and most generous acceptance criteria receive higher scores.
Our team looked at how easy it is for customers to apply for and manage their loans. Criteria include how long you have to shop after approval and customer service hours, alongside other quality-of-service factors.
This includes prequalification and public disclosure of rates and fees. We favored lenders that make it easy for customers to preview possible costs.

Bankrate's trusted auto loans industry expertise

Read our full methodology

48

years in business

22

lenders reviewed

16

loan features weighed

352

data points collected

The Bankrate team uses a 16-point system to evaluate auto loan refinance products across four main categories.

Loan amounts, restrictions and state availability are accounted for in this category. Lenders with fewer restrictions, larger loan amounts and those that serve customers nationwide rank higher.
Lenders with the lowest APRs and fewest fees rank better in this category. Discounts can also add to the score.
Our team evaluates lenders' online account access, customer service hours, automatic payments options and funding timeline.
Prequalification and the public disclosure of rates and fees contribute to this score. Lenders that make it easy for borrowers to find how much they could pay to refinance get higher marks.

Editorial disclosure: All reviews are prepared by Bankrate.com staff. Opinions expressed therein are solely those of the reviewer and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including rates and fees, presented in the review is accurate as of the date of the review. Check the data at the top of this page and the lender’s website for the most current information.

What customers think

What people across the web are saying about Auto Credit Express

Auto Credit Express has an excellent Trustpilot score of an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars. Positive reviews mention fast funding and attentive customer service.

One borrower had this to say:

Auto Credit Express are the greatest !!

5.0

“Auto Credit Express are the greatest ! As soon as I sent my info to them, I had someone calling me, ready to get me my new car ! They did all the work finding a bank to finance me...3 days later, Im driving my new car ! Thank You !!!!”

Michelle Lavoy, Truspilot user

Posted on Truspilot

Less favorable one-star reviewers noted a poorly explained process:

The carrier refers you to dealerships…

1.0

“The carrier refers you to dealerships that try and choose the vehicle for you and then if you do not agree with their choice you will not get financed. The dealership also asks for a large down payment as well. None of this is explained with the approval.”

Marla Clark, Trustpilot user

Posted on Trustpilot

Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate. Please see the issuer’s website for updated terms and conditions.

Community Auto Credit Express scores

We wanna know what you think about Auto Credit Express

Have experience with Auto Credit Express? Let us know your thoughts

Auto Credit Express auto loans: 2025 review

The Bankrate promise

At a glance

Bankrate’s take

Lender Details

Loan amount

APR from

Min Credit Score

Funds available in

Auto Credit Express is best for borrowers with bad credit

Types of car loans that Auto Credit Express offers

New and used auto loans

Auto loan refinancing

Where Auto Credit Express stands out

Where Auto Credit Express falls short

Auto Credit Express customer resources

Customer support

Digital experience

How this lender compares

Auto Credit Express vs. CarsDirect

Auto Credit Express vs. Fifth Third Bank

Do you qualify for an Auto Credit Express auto loan?

How to get an Auto Credit Express auto loan

Submit a loan request form:

Get matched with a lender:

Shop for vehicle:

Required application information

How Bankrate rates this lender

Methodology

Bankrate's trusted auto loans industry expertise

Availability

Affordability

Customer experience

Transparency

What customers think

What people across the web are saying about Auto Credit Express

Community Auto Credit Express scores

We wanna know what you think about Auto Credit Express