1800FreshStart auto loans is not actually a lender. They are a loan broker connecting borrowers with lenders across the U.S. They specialize in helping people obtain loans with bad credit, no credit, bankruptcies, and repossessions.
Each lender will have its own terms, and while 1800FreshStart.com doesn’t pull your credit, the lenders probably will.
1800FreshStart
1800FreshStart auto loans is a good way for people with bad credit to get multiple auto loan offers. The interest rates offered may be high, but with bad credit, you should expect that.
Pros
National lender network
Multiple loan options
Bad credit is OK
Cons
Loan rates depend on the Lender
Could have high interest Rate
Who Is 1800FreshStart Auto Loans?
1800FreshStart.com is one of many auto loan websites owned by Internet Brands, Inc., out of El Segundo, California.
Internet Brands has multiple car financing websites:
- InstantCarLoan.com
- CarsDirect.com
- InstantCarLoan.com
- Loanapp.com
- Loan.com
- Autos.com
Their primary focus is matching their dealer partners with customers that have a challenging credit background. They are a loan broker: they don’t actually fund any loans.
What Makes Them Different?
1800FreshStart car loans has developed a network of lenders specializing in auto loans for people with bad credit or no credit. Even borrowers with bankruptcy or repossession on their record can get approved.
Filling out one application can get you car loan offers from lenders around the nation. Having multiple offers will allow you to choose the best auto financing for your situation.
How Does 1800FreshStart Car Loan Work?
Unlike a traditional bank or lender, 1800FreshStart car loan is more like an agent or broker. Here’s what you’ll do to get their loan offers.
Meet The Guidelines
You need to meet the guidelines before you can apply:
- You must be at least 18 years old
- You must be a current resident of the US or Canada
- You must be either employed full-time or able to prove a fixed income of at least $1,000 a month.
Decide What You’re 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.
Follow The Process
Step 1 – Complete The Form
It takes 2 minutes or less to knock out the quick form to match you with an auto lender.
Step 2 – Pair Up
Once this process is complete, you will start the next step of getting paired with a lender that can finance you.
Step 3 – Find Your Vehicle Anywhere
Now that you have been paired, it is time to find your dream vehicle!
Get Your Paperwork Together
Since you don’t know which lender you will use, it’s best to be prepared.
Things the lenders might need:
- Banking history
- Proof of income
- Identification documents
- Proof of insurance
- Proof of residency
- Information on the vehicle you plan to purchase
- Current vehicle registration (if you plan to do a trade-in)
☝️ Note: Keep in mind this is just a general list. The lenders could need more or less information. It’s a good idea to have the things above ready. You’re likely to need them.
Time To Apply
Now that you know you meet the general requirements, you have all your documents together, and you know what auto dealer you will be matched with, it’s time to apply.
At this time, you will probably see a hard credit inquiry hit your credit profile. The credit bureaus will give you a 15-day grace period to shop for as many auto loan rates as you want and only show one hard inquiry in your record.
👉 Quick Tip: The credit bureaus allow you to shop around for the best auto loan rates for 15 days after your first inquiry. During this grace period, you can apply for an unlimited number of auto loans without any additional inquiries being recorded to your credit file.
Review Your Offers
Be sure to review the offers you get before making a decision. You will have up to 30 days to select one of the four offers presented to you.
You need to look at their requirements as well as interest rates and whether they will require a down payment or a co-signer. Review the offers and pick the best one!
Look At Everything
Remember that each lender will have individual requirements. Be sure to look at each offer with as much detail as possible.
Make sure you understand what you are paying for. Refer to the original offer to make sure nothing changed from the initial offer to the final agreement.
Pick The Best Offer
Once you choose an offer your loan can be funded by either bank deposit, ACH, check, or certificate.
You can have your funds as early as the next business day.
1800FreshStart Customer Reviews
1800FreshStart reviews from customers are difficult to find.
There is very little information about 1800FreshStart com car financing programs because they are only a platform to bring lenders and buyers together. Most reviews talk about the lenders, not the broker.
The entire process is free to the buyer, so there isn’t much of a reason for them to complain, which we all know is the majority of reviews.
Our normal approach is to collect customer reviews from sites such as Yelp, Google, and BBB. However, we could not find many customer reviews for the 1800FreshStart car program and only on a few sites.
The few reviews we have been able to find are generally positive, as one would expect from a free service.
1800FreshStart does not have a file at the Better Business Bureau, although its parent company does. Internet Brands, Inc. is not accredited by the BBB and has a D- rating.
The reason they have such a low BBB rating is that they do not respond to the complaints filed against them. Over the past three years, they have had a total of 8 complaints, with one of those coming in the past 12 months.
Averaging one customer complaint a year doesn’t seem too high of a rate for a company that has been in business for 25 years.
Who Should Apply at 1800FreshStart?
The best thing about 1800FreshStart com is that they deal with multiple auto lenders who are willing to work with a wide variety of borrowers, including those with less than stellar credit.
Below are some people who should feel free to apply:
People Who Have Had Repossessions
A repossession leaves a negative mark on your credit report and can hurt your credit score. It has a particularly dramatic impact on your FICO Auto Score, a credit score developed specifically for auto lenders.
It’s hard to get a car loan with a repossession on your record.
By dealing with the 1800FreshStart car program, you can find a lender willing to work with you, even if you had a car repossessed before.
A Person With a Recent Bankruptcy
Someone with bankruptcy on their credit report is probably used to hearing the words “No” or “Declined.”
However, it doesn’t mean that you can’t purchase a car. 1800FreshStart should be able to match you with a lender that will suit your needs.
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 well or not. 1800FreshStart auto finance has plenty of lenders that will work with you.
People with Little Credit History
If you have a thin credit file, you can still get an auto loan.
Your score might be in the mid to high 500s or low 600s, but that doesn’t mean you are financially irresponsible. It just means you haven’t had a chance or taken the time to build your credit.
1800FreshStart can help you get an auto loan.
Those with Bad Credit
If you have bad credit, don’t worry. 1800FreshStart 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 a credit score as low as 500.
People With Good Credit
While 1800FreshStart doesn’t primarily focus on helping people with good credit, they are still a great option. If you have good credit, you will find that you can still get a great rate and find the dealer that will give you the best deal.
The Bad News
1800FreshStart can match you with auto lenders willing to make loans to people with poor credit, no credit, repossessions, or bankruptcies. The downside is that those lenders will charge you very high interest rates for your loan.
That’s not specific to 1800FreshStart, it’s just the reality of borrowing with bad credit.
That can make your loan very expensive. Before you commit to a loan, consider these steps.
- Wait a while. If you don’t need a car right away, take some time to build your credit or improve your credit first.
- Be realistic. Choose a car you know you can afford. Remember that things can go wrong. You don’t want a loan you can’t pay. If you aren’t sure, look for a less expensive car or a used car.
- Avoid long-term loans. 72 or 84 month loan terms make monthly payments seem affordable, but you’ll be underwater on your loan for much of its term, you may need additional insurance, and it will be hard to sell your car.
👉 You can get a car loan with a low credit score. You’ll have to decide whether it’s the best move for you.
Taking Action On A Car Loan
Getting an auto loan can be complicated and expensive. 1800FreshStart can connect you with lenders who will lend to you even if you have a flawed credit record.
They cannot improve your credit or get you a low-interest loan with bad credit.
If you need a car and you have credit problems, be realistic about your expectations and understand that financing will be expensive. Get the right loan and make every payment on time and you can get the loan you need and improve your credit at the same time!
