auto dealer in black and red logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Auto Loan Access Keeps Falling

July conditions tighter for consumers despite average loan rate decline.

August 13, 2024
Auto Loan Access Keeps Falling

The reduced credit access came in all channels and lender types.

Credit:

Pexels/Pixabay

1 min to read


Auto loans were harder to get for the fourth month in a row as approval rates declined and other measures made credit more challenging to come by in July.

Though the average loan rate fell by seven basis points for an 80-point decline since February, loan approval rates declined four percentage points year-over-year, according to Cox Automotive.

In addition to continued reduced approval rates, Cox blamed decreased subprime share and increased yield spreads.

The reduced credit access came in all channels and lender types, according to its report, which put Cox’s All-Loans Index down 1% to 92.9, or about a 2% year-over-year drop.

Loans with negative equity increased slightly for the month, actually helping credit availability. Term lengths, the percentage of down payments, and loans with terms longer than 72 months were flat, though the down payment percentage was up by 30 basis points year-over-year.

LEARN MORE: Is the Death Knell Being Sounded for Dealer Financing?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

More Industry

aerial view of BMW Spartangburg, South Carolina plant
Industryby Lauren LawrenceMarch 6, 2026

BMW Tops U.S. Exports

In 2025 over 400,000 BMW X models were assembled at the BMW plant in Spartanburg, S.C., which is the automaker’s only U.S.-based manufacturing factory.

Read More →
Industryby StaffMarch 6, 2026

Explore the 12 Rules for an F&I Life at EFI

EFI 2026 will take place April 13–15 at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas.

Read More →
Industryby StaffMarch 6, 2026

Tennessee Toyota Store Sells

Lithia Motors picked up the dealership to add to its fast-growing stable of U.S. franchises as the Toyota brand remains coveted among retailers.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Industryby Hannah MitchellMarch 2, 2026

Meet the Editor: Hannah Mitchell

A longtime newspaper journalist, Bobit Dealer Group's editor was raised on news back in the South. Now she brings that news-hound ethic to our four auto retail magazines.

Read More →
Industryby StaffMarch 2, 2026

Prove You Can Do F&I at EFI

‘So You Think You Can Do F&I’ is a live role-play contest taking place at the 2026 Ethical F&I Managers Conference.

Read More →
Headshots of Adam Crowell, Wayne Curtis, and Amanda Rawls displayed under the KPA logo with their updated executive titles.
Industryby StaffFebruary 27, 2026

KPA Elevates Leaders to Accelerate Growth

Focused leadership is intended to enhance the company's ability to help automotive dealers, repair shops, and auto-adjacent businesses speed innovation and navigate growing regulatory complexity.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Industryby Hannah MitchellFebruary 27, 2026

BMW Dives Deeper into Robots

Automaker expands humanoids to German factory as it seeks to scale the machines’ use and become a leader in ‘physical AI’ applications like them.

Read More →
F&Iby Lauren LawrenceFebruary 27, 2026

Price Driving Insurance Churn

Over half of insurance holders ages 18 to 29 reported to be 'somewhat' likely to change providers in the next 90 days, according to CivicScience, which found that interest was lower among older age groups.

Read More →
Industryby Lauren LawrenceFebruary 25, 2026

Dealer Debrief: JD Power Vehicle Dependability & More

This week on Dealer Debrief Lauren Lawrence reveals what JD Power named the most dependable model in its 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study and much more.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Industryby Hannah MitchellFebruary 24, 2026

Overall Consumer Confidence Up

Americans’ view of present business conditions, the labor market and family finances, though, are still in the dumps, and if they plan to buy cars, many target used units.

Read More →