Ally Clearlane Auto Loans: 2021 Review
Clearlane lets fair-credit applicants see if they can qualify for a loan without affecting their credit.
Our Take
The bottom line: Best for borrowers with fair credit who are comparing offers.
Full Review
on Ally Clearlane's website
on Ally Clearlane's website
Min. Credit Score
580
Est. APR
3.74 - 7.49%
Loan Amount
$10,000 - $80,000
Pros & Cons
Pros
Prequalify with a soft credit check.
Allows co-signers.
Cons
High minimum income required.
Offers loan terms over 60 months.
Compare to Other Lenders
|  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Learn More | Learn More | Learn More |
Min. Credit Score580 | Min. Credit Score575 | Min. Credit Score580 |
Est. APR3.74 - 7.49% | Est. APR2.05 - 29.40% | Est. APR2.45 - 17.99% |
Loan Amount$10,000 - $80,000 | Loan Amount$5,000 - $99,000 | Loan Amount$7,500 - $150,000 |
Full Review
To review Ally Clearlane, NerdWallet collected and compared more than 15 data points against other lenders that seek the same customer or offer a similar product.
Clearlane provides auto loans through Ally Direct Lending. The company offers loans for refinancing your existing auto loan as well as buying out your leased vehicle.
Clearlane may be a good fit for those who:
Have fair credit: Clearlane works with borrowers with credit scores of 580 and above for refinance loans.
Want to check rates: You can pre-qualify with a soft credit check, which has no impact on your credit score.
Need a co-signer: Clearlane allows you to add a co-signer to your application, which may boost your chances of approval and get you better loan terms.
To see if you pre-qualify for a loan, Clearlane offers an easy application process that takes only a few minutes.
Initially, there’s no impact to your credit, but once you select an offer, you’ll have to provide a Social Security number and the lender will do a hard credit pull, to determine your creditworthiness. This slightly lowers your credit score temporarily.
Although the application process is simple, Clearlane’s website contains very little information — such as vehicle restrictions, sample APRs or frequently asked questions.
Clearlane auto loan rates
While Clearlane has a low minimum FICO requirement, its best rates go to applicants with excellent credit (720 FICO and up). Borrowers with bad credit (300 to 629 FICO) can expect to get higher APRs, meaning more expensive loans.
Check your credit score to know where you stand before applying for a car loan. Shop around if you have bad credit; you’ll likely be offered high APRs and comparison shopping can help you save money.
Loan example: For a prime borrower (FICO score between 661 to 780), a $16,000 car loan with a repayment term of 36 months and an interest rate of 6% would carry monthly payments of $487, according to NerdWallet’s auto loan calculator.
Applying to Clearlane
Offers a soft credit check for preapproval.
No application fee; late payment penalties.
Allows co-signers.
Apply online or over the phone.
Clearlane restrictions
Loan terms: 36 to 72 months (NerdWallet doesn’t recommend auto loans over 60 months.)
Minimum monthly income: $2,000.
Maximum vehicle age: 10 years for refinance loans.
Maximum vehicle mileage: 120,000 miles.
Maximum loan-to-value ratio: 155%.
Available in all states except Nevada, Vermont, and Washington, D.C.
on Ally Clearlane's website
Frequently asked questions
Clearlane is part of Ally Financial, and the company offers auto loan refinancing and lease buyouts.
Clearlane was founded in 2008 and is owned by Ally Financial, which also offers banking products, home loans and investment accounts.
Refinancing a car loan can temporarily hurt your credit scores when the lender pulls your credit to complete your application. However, your credit score should improve over time if refinancing helps you make timely payments, which is good for your payment history.
