LendingClub Auto Loan Refinancing: 2023 Review

Although LendingClub is better known for peer-to-peer personal loans, it also offers auto refinance loans as a direct lender. LendingClub does not offer loans for purchasing vehicles.

LendingClub’s application process is completely online and enables borrowers to check rates with a soft credit check, which will not affect their credit scores. Unlike many lenders, LendingClub does not require a Social Security number to pre-qualify.

Qualifying applicants will see multiple offers for refinancing. Once an applicant selects an offer and fills out an application, LendingClub will do a hard credit check and might request more information to process the application. Pre-qualification isn’t a guarantee of loan approval, and offer details can change after the hard credit inquiry. Pre-qualification does enable borrowers to see if refinancing can save them money, before they proceed with the loan. It’s also an opportunity to compare LendingClub loan rates with rates offered by other lenders.

LendingClub may be a good fit for those who:

• Want to compare rates. Pre-qualification with a soft credit check will not affect an applicant's credit score.

• Prefer an online application process. LendingClub’s application process is 100% online, including document upload.

• Need a co-borrower or co-signer. LendingClub accepts co-signers and co-borrowers, which can help a person who might not qualify alone.

LendingClub at a glance

• Application process

  • Origination fee: None.

  • Personal information needed: Applicants must provide Social Security number or ITIN, address, phone number, email address, birthdate, basic vehicle information and vehicle identification number.

  • Pre-qualification available: Yes.

  • Online, in-person or both: Online.

  • Approval speed: More than 24 hours.

• Qualifications

  • Minimum FICO credit score: 660.

  • Minimum credit history: None.

  • Minimum annual gross income: None.

  • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 80%.

  • Bankruptcy-related restrictions: Yes, applicants cannot have a public record of bankruptcy in the past 12 months.

  • States covered: All states except AK, CT, DC, HI, ME, MS, NV, NH, ND, VT, WV and WY.

• Restrictions

  • Maximum vehicle age: 10 years.

  • Maximum vehicle mileage: Vehicles can have over 100,000 miles, but some lenders have maximum mileage limits.

  • Other vehicle restrictions: LendingClub doesn't refinance commercial vehicles, recreational vehicles, motorcycles and the following vehicles: Hummer, Pontiac, Saturn, Daewoo, Isuzu, Suzuki, Oldsmobile, Saab, Nissan Leaf and all diesel Volkswagen models.

  • Loan amount minimum: $4,000.

  • Loan amount maximum: $55,000.

  • Refinancing time restrictions: Borrower must have 24 months or $4,000 remaining on a loan to refinance.

• Other loan details

  • Loan terms: 24-60 months.

  • Rate discount: None.

  • Greater-than-minimum payments: Yes, and can be paid through automatic payments as well.

  • Bi-weekly payments: No.

  • Late payment fee: Yes.

  • Prepayment penalty: None.

  • Co-borrowers allowed: Yes.

  • Co-signers allowed: Yes.

  • Payment options: By mail with check, phone, online portal and ACH.

  • Selected payment due date: Borrowers can select a payment date after they've made the first payment.

  • Cash-out refinancing: No.

  • Hardship plans: Yes.

  • Existing loan payoff: LendingClub sends funds directly to the lender. Electronic payment is used if possible.

• Customer service

  • Assistance provided: Customer support team is available by email and phone on weekdays to help applicants during the application process. LendingClub also provides a Help Center on its website.

  • Availability: Mon-Fri 6 a.m.-4 p.m. PT.

  • Contact options: Phone or email.

» MORE: Compare auto loan refinancing lenders

More from LendingClub

Many lenders quantify how much money they save their customers, and LendingClub says it saves clients an average of around $90 a month in car payments. NerdWallet is unable to verify any of these claims.

LendingClub auto loan rates

Credit requirements vary by auto lender, but LendingClub’s lowest rates are typically available only to borrowers with good or excellent credit (a FICO score of 690 and above). With fair or bad credit you won’t get the lowest interest rates, which means your monthly payment and total interest paid will be more. You can check your credit score before applying for a car loan. 

Loan example: According to NerdWallet's auto loan calculator that uses the VantageScore credit model, a borrower with a credit score of 300-499 (considered deep subprime), a $20,000 used car loan, repayment term of 72 months, interest rate of 18% APR and $0 down payment would have monthly payments of $456. One year later, if all payments were made on time, the borrower will have paid the loan down to a balance of $17,963. If the borrower is able to then refinance at 12% APR for the remaining 60 months, the payment would drop to $399 and result in interest savings of $3,394 over the life of the loan.