LendingTree Auto Loan Review 2024: Best Car Financing Rates

If you need the absolute lowest payment and interest rate on an auto loan possible, you probably won’t find it going to a single lender such as your local bank or credit union. Instead, your best bet is to get quotes from multiple lenders, but that would be very time-consuming.

That’s where LendingTree auto loans shine. Get the best rates from lenders who are competing for your business with one simple request form.

The LendingTree created the multiple lender loan offers online business model. For over 20 years, Lending Tree has been providing customers with loan offers from their network of banks and lenders.

While Lending Tree does not actually provide you with the loan, they can pull offers from their vast network and offer loans to people regardless of your credit score.

They have a reputation for introducing customers to the absolute lowest interest rate auto loan offers that fund lightning quickly. There are many advantages and a few disadvantages to Lending Tree auto loan offers, which we will review in this article. 

Who Is LendingTree? 

LendingTree, LLC was founded by Douglas ‘Doug’ Lebda in 1997, and the company went national in 1998.

Their primary focus is to match customers who are looking for loans with banks and lenders.

Doug realized in the 1990s that shopping for the best interest rates took a tremendous amount of time.  Back in the olden days, a person would have to fill out a loan application (normally in person, limited internet back then) for each bank or lender. A few days or weeks later, you would receive a loan offer, but there was no standard way this offer had to be given. It was next to impossible to compare one loan offer to another.

The Lending Tree LLC fixed this problem by allowing people to fill out one application and receive multiple loan offers that are all organized in the same manner so you can easily compare each of the lending tree loan rates and associated costs.

What Makes Them Different?

LendingTree Auto Loans offer a network of over 300 banks and lenders competing for your business. When banks compete, you win! 

Lending Tree also offers you the ability to apply and complete the entire loan process from your mobile phone on their app. 

How Do LendingTree Auto Loans Work?

Unlike a traditional bank or lender, LendingTree is more like a personal agent or broker. You must go through the below process to apply with them.

1. Are You Buying New or Used

You need to figure out what type of financing you will need, are you buying a new car or a used car? Will you be refinancing or are you looking for a lease buyout?

Once you know which option you are going for then you can go to the next step. 

2. Get Your Paperwork Together

Since you don’t know which lender or dealership you will be going to, it’s best to be prepared.

Things the lenders might need are: 

• Banking History
• Proof Of Income
• Proof Of Identity
• Proof Of Insurance
• Proof Of Residency
• Information On Vehicle You Plan To Purchase
• Current Vehicle Registration (If you plan to do a trade in)

Keep in mind this is just a general list, the lenders could need more or less information, just have at least the things above ready.

3. Fill in the Application Form and Start Receiving Offers

The first step is to fill in the application form on the LendingTree website. It takes 3 minutes or less to knock out the quick form to match you with an auto dealer or lender.

Once you complete the application form, you should start getting offers from lenders in the LendingTree network in a matter of minutes.

At this time you will probably see a hard credit inquiry hit your credit report.

💡 Quick Tip: FICO will give you a 30-day grace period to shop for as many Lending Tree loan rates as you want, and only show one hard inquiry will be recorded on your record.

4. Review Your Offers

Be sure to review the offers before you purchase.

You will be given up to 30 days to select one of the offers presented to you.

Once you narrow down the best auto loan offers, you can speak with the lenders’ loan officers to haggle for the best price. 

You need to look at their requirements as well as the interest rates and if they will require a down payment or a co-signer.

☝️ Look at everything: Remember that each lender will have their own specifics and requirements so be sure to look at each offer with as much detail as possible.

5. Pick The Best Offer

Once you choose an offer, your loan can be funded by either a bank deposit, ACH, check, or certificate.

You can have your funds as early as the next business day.

💡 Tip: Make sure you understand what you are paying for and keep referring to the original offer to make sure nothing changed from the time you accepted it to the time your loan was funded.

LendingTree Auto Loan Customer Reviews

LendingTree auto loan reviews are mixed amongst many of the most trusted customer review websites across the internet.

Below are some of the Lending Tree reviews:

LendingTree reviews tend to fall into one of two categories. They are either extremely positive about the great rates and speed of the service. Or, they are negative, with the biggest complaint being that once you apply for a loan, your phone doesn’t stop ringing for 48 hours. 

Understand that to get the best Lending Tree rates, you must have multiple banks and lenders compete, and the loan officers know that you have multiple competitive rate options. 

By getting you on the telephone, they can discuss your needs and also sweeten their offer.  So the multiple lenders you deal with are a necessary evil to the end goal of incredible savings, which is the great advantage you’ll have with LendingTree.

Below we have gathered the most trusted customer Lending Tree reviews from sites such as Yelp, Google, and BBB for Lending Tree auto loans.

LendingTree Auto Loan BBB Reviews

LendingTree has been a BBB accredited business for over 20 years. They have an A+ rating, but they do have 255 complaints.  

Almost all of the LendingTree complaints revolve around the number of phone calls their customers get after filling out a loan application. 

The LendingTree BBB reviews are mixed but generally point to a company that takes care of its customers. 

While there are a lot of complaints, Lending Tree seems to take most of them seriously and responds to them, which is why they still have an A+ rating. 

Who Should Apply For Lending Tree Auto Loans? 

The best thing about Lending Tree auto loans is that they deal with multiple banks and lenders who are versatile in the type of people they can get approved for a loan.

Below are some people who should feel free to apply:

1. People Who Have Had Repossessions

The worst thing about having a car repossessed is that it usually happens at the most inconvenient time. 

If you have had this happen to you, then you know it also leaves a negative mark on your credit report and can hurt your credit score.

By dealing with Lending Tree, LLC, you can find a bank that may be willing to work with you, even if you had a car repossessed before. 

2. People With Bankruptcies

Someone with bankruptcy is probably used to hearing the words “No” or “Declined.”  

However, it doesn’t mean that you can’t purchase a car because of one.

The good thing about the Lending Tree LLC network is that they will be able to partner you with a lender that will be best for your needs.

3. Someone With No Credit History

If you don’t have any credit, it doesn’t mean you have bad credit. It just means you haven’t had a chance to establish any for the moment.

It is hard for lenders to make a good decision because you haven’t shown if you will treat your credit good or not.

The LendingTree car financing has plenty of banks and lenders that will work with you.

4. People with Little Credit History

If you don’t have a ton of credit history, you can still get covered for an auto loan.

Your score might be in the mid to high 500s or low 600s, but that doesn’t mean you have bad credit.

It just means you haven’t had a chance or taken the time to build your credit.

Lending Tree, LLC has plenty of lenders that will assist you in getting an auto loan.

5. People With Bad Credit

If you have bad credit, don’t worry, The Lending Tree works with a nationwide set of lenders who will be matched with you based on your credit profile.

You can rest assured that they work with lenders who can get you covered with as little as a 500 credit score.

6. People With Good Credit

If you have good credit then you will find the best rates the Lending Tree LLC’s bank and lenders have to offer. 

Conclusion

LendingTree is your best choice if you’re looking to get the lowest rate possible on your next car loan. Their lender network is one of the biggest in the US, and they can match people with all credit profiles with lenders willing to work with them.