Navy Federal Private Party Auto Loan

You can save a lot of money on a used car with some careful preparation and research. Our Used Car Buying Guide can help.

Bottom Line Up Front

Before you start shopping for a car, know what you want and how much you can afford.

Always check the title and accident history of the vehicle before buying.

Don’t be afraid to negotiate! As the buyer, you have all the leverage to get a great deal.

So, you’re in the market for a new-to-you (used) car? You have plenty of company. According to Automotive News reports, the United States set a used vehicle sales record in 2021, with 40.9 million vehicles sold.

Buying used can be a smart choice. If you buy a used car instead of a new one, you’ll likely save money on taxes, insurance, and registration. a new one. However, it’s crucial to do some research before making a purchase. You can locate the used car that’s ideal for you with a little preparation and thought. Our Ultimate Used Car Buying Guide can help.

Ultimate Used Car Buying Guide

Set a budget. While it’s true that you’ll probably pay less to buy a used car than you would for a brand new one, you still should review your budget so you know what you can afford. Important factors to consider are price, insurance and maintenance costs, as well as other car-related expenses.

Decide what you want. There are lots of used car choices out there. Make a list of the features that are most important to you, and decide which are your “must haves.”

Choose a seller type (private or dealership). Now that you have the list of things you want, it’s time to decide whether you’ll look at cars listed by private sellers or go to a dealer. There are pros and cons to both, but no matter where you go, be sure to comparison shop.

Do your homework. There are some basic questions you should ask a seller to make sure you’re buying the best possible used car, and you’re not getting stuck with a lemon:

• Why they’re selling and the asking price
• Its condition and mileage
• Its service records and a vehicle history report
• Whether it was inspected recently and the inspection report
• Whether it has been in an accident
• Whether it has had any major repairs
• How many owners it has had
• What has been updated or replaced (new tires are a plus)
• Whether it has more options than the basic model
• if the title is clear (i.e., free of liens, not salvaged or damaged),
• Whether the seller owns the title and whether it is available

Check the History Before You Buy

You have access to up to two free CARFAX® Vehicle History ReportsTM with a Navy Federal auto loan. 1 To find out if the vehicle has been reported as salvage or an unrecovered stolen vehicle, you can also conduct a free search of the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s database. When you’re happy, test drive any car you’re thinking about and have a mechanic you trust inspect it before you buy.

Negotiate a Good Deal

Whether you’re buying from a private seller or dealer, it’s important to understand how to get a good price and how to negotiate, so you can get the best deal for your money.

Focus on selling price. If you’re buying from a dealer, make sure you focus on the total selling price, not what someone tells you your payments could be. That’s because a dealer probably can match any payment you name, but you’ll probably be extending how long you’ll pay for the car—at a higher interest rate—which means you’ll likely pay more over time.

Compare financing rates. Many car buyers get a preapproval from their bank or credit union, so they know ahead of time how much they can finance. If you’re shopping at a dealership and they offer financing, you can compare it to your preapproval by using our Car Loan Comparison Calculator to help you decide which deal is best.

Save money with a trade-in. Although a private seller probably won’t take a trade-in, dealers may give you credit toward the purchase of a car you’re buying from them by taking your current car as a trade-in. They may not give you as much money as you might get if you sold the car on your own, but the convenience of someone else finding buyers and selling it may be worth the difference to you. Research how much your car is worth ahead of time so you know if they’re offering you a fair price and get quotes from at least two different dealers.

Take Care of Some New-Car Housekeeping

Now that you’ve purchased your new-to-you vehicle, be sure you understand your next steps, including making sure you have insurance lined up, registering the vehicle with your state and reviewing the manual to understand its features.

Are there other tools that can help me?

There are a variety of tools to help you in your car-buying journey besides those we’ve already mentioned. In addition, Consumer Reports publishes reliability ratings on popular vehicles, and there are a number of popular forums online. Keep in mind, though, that the forums are people like you expressing their opinions. They don’t offer expert advice.

Is there a best time to purchase a car?

You often can find a great deal during holiday sales. Look for 4th of July specials if you’re looking to buy a car in July. Additionally, you’re likely to find a good deal on the current-year model near the end of the year when the following year’s models become available. Remember that sales representatives have quotas and goals to meet, so the end of the month (and particularly the end of a quarter) is a great time to shop.

How can I know if the car I’m buying is sound?

It’s crucial to have any vehicle you intend to purchase inspected by a mechanic of your choosing. It might cost a little, but if problems are found, it could end up saving you hundreds.

Next Steps Next Steps

Contact Navy Federal to discuss auto financing before you go car shopping. Get preapproved for an amount that’s within your budget and use that preapproval to compare dealer financing rates to get the best deal.

Thoroughly research the make and model you want to buy, including its crash test and reliability ratings. Then, when you find a used vehicle of that make/model, check its title and accident history through CARFAX®.2

Be strategic about when you purchase your vehicle. Shop toward the middle of the week, toward the end of the month. If possible, try to purchase when dealers are trying to make room on their lot for next years’ models. Always look for negotiation opportunities!

Two CARFAX Vehicle History Reports™ may be accessed while your auto loan preapproval through Navy Federal remains open. If you do not obtain a preapproval, a CARFAX Vehicle History Report™ will be sent to you for the used vehicle you finance with Navy Federal. Offer may expire at any time. It is intended for personal use only and may not be used for commercial purposes. Navy Federal Credit Union is in no way responsible for the accuracy of the CARFAX Vehicle History Reports™. Access to CARFAX Vehicle History Reports™ is subject to CARFAX consumer Terms and Conditions. CARFAX reserves the right to take appropriate action for the misuse of this offer. CARFAX is a registered trademark of CARFAX, Inc. CARFAX Vehicle History products and services are based only on information supplied to CARFAX. CARFAX does not have the complete history of every vehicle. Use the CARFAX search as one important tool, along with a vehicle inspection and test drive, to make a better decision about your next used car.

Products and services provided by CARFAX Vehicle History are solely based on data provided to CARFAX. CARFAX does not have the complete history of every vehicle. To choose your next used car more wisely, use the CARFAX search as one crucial tool in addition to a vehicle inspection and test drive.

This information is meant to be general in nature and is not intended to be tax, legal, or financial advice. For detailed information on how certain laws apply to your situation and about your specific financial situation, it is always a good idea to speak with a tax or financial advisor.

FAQ

Can you use auto loan private seller Navy Federal?

Navy Federal Credit Union does not impose any requirements, such as minimum credit scores, aside from membership. Although, depending on the amount you want to borrow, you might need a co-applicant, it does mention that you can still get a loan if you have a limited credit history.

Is it hard to get an auto loan with Navy Federal?

Personal loans and private party auto loans are the two most popular methods of financing a private party auto purchase. Banks, credit unions, online lenders, and other financial institutions offer both types of loans.

Can I use a personal loan to buy a car from a private seller?

You’ll receive a text* or email after submitting your application informing you of its status. We recognize that you can’t always wait around for a decision when looking for a car. We typically provide decisions on auto loans in 5 minutes or less because of this.