Santander

Santander is a multinational banking and financial institution based in Spain. It offers auto loans to its US customers under the Santander Consumer USA brand.

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How do Santander auto loans work?

Unfortunately, Santander doesn’t disclose its auto loan interest rates publicly and it can be difficult to find information online.

Repayment terms can be anywhere between 1 and 72 months.

Confusingly, Santander distributes its loans via the Roadloans.com brand, which in turn uses Chrysler Financing to provide loan options.

Applying for your loan via the Santander website will direct you to one of these subsidiaries.

Make sure you know which company will ultimately be financing your car, as different rates may apply.

Credit score

Those with bad credit are considered, although exact score requirements are not given.

However, the larger your down payment, the more likely your application is to be successful. In some circumstances, you may even be considered if you have no credit.

Again, the criteria aren’t made clear and you’ll have to contact Santander directly to find out more.

How Much Can You Borrow?

You must borrow a minimum of $5,000, and you may borrow a maximum of $75,000.

What types of vehicles are eligible for financing?

While auto loans are available on almost all car brands, you won’t be able to finance motorcycles, recreational vehicles, or conversions.

How do I qualify?

You must be aged 18 or over, and be able to evidence $1,800 per month gross income.

What documents do I need?

You’ll need your driver’s license, evidence of income, and proof that you’ve insured the car.

What are the fees?

There are no origination fees or late fees.

How long does the loan process take?

Applications can be completed in just a few minutes and decisions are near-instant. You may get your loan within 24 hours.

How to apply for an auto loan?

Simply fill out the online application form and you can apply in a few minutes. Or, you can also call the customer helpline to apply.

What payment methods are supported?

There are six repayment methods available:

Make one-off online payments
Set up auto deductions from your bank account
Call customer service and pay over the phone
You can mail Cheques to the head office
Pay via MoneyGram
Pay via Western Union

Pros and Cons

Pros

Fast decisions on loans and money in your account within 24 hours
Applications from those with bad credit are accepted

Cons

Interest rates aren’t disclosed
It can be confusing which brand and leader you’re actually signing up to

Is Santander right for you?

While Santander and its subsidiary companies might be able to get your loan to you quickly, there are simpler options out there with other auto loan providers.

Companies like My Auto Loan and Carvana are more upfront about interest rates and are clearer on repayment terms.

Both of these brands also offer useful loan calculators on their websites, so you won’t need to fill in any personal details before getting an idea of what you might be eligible for.

You’ll also receive no-obligation quotes before you decide to commit.