Key takeaways
- Auto Credit Express is better for borrowers with lower credit scores seeking a refinance and exceptional customer support.
- CarsDirect is better if you want a more holistic car-buying experience from start to finish.
- Consider retrieving quotes from several lenders through both platforms and compare your options to find the best fit for your financial situation.
Auto Credit Express and CarsDirect both offer bad credit auto loans through a lender network. They are even owned by the same parent company, Internet Brands. Both companies also offer vague and nonspecific information on their websites. It’s hard to tell what the qualification requirements and loan details are for either company.
However, the lenders do have a few differences. CarsDirect is better for people looking for everything they need to buy a car in one place. The company connects customers to both car dealers and auto loan lenders. Auto Credit Express is best for those who want a few more details upfront and want to know the company has a good reputation.
Auto Credit Express vs. CarsDirect at a glance
While there are few details available online for both companies, here’s what we do know about them.
|
Auto Credit Express |
CarsDirect |
|
|
Bankrate score |
3.2/5 |
3.8/5 |
|
Better for |
Auto refinancing | Full-service car-buying experience |
|
Loans offered |
New and used auto loans, refinance loans | New and used auto loans, refinance loans |
|
Loan amounts |
$7,000–$45,000 |
Varies by lender |
|
APRs |
Not specified |
Not specified |
|
Loan terms |
36–72 months |
Varies by lender |
|
Fees |
Not specified |
Not specified |
|
Minimum credit score |
Not specified |
Not specified |
|
State availability |
Nationwide |
Nationwide |
|
Time to funding |
Same day |
Typically 1-2 days |
|
Autopay discount? |
Varies by lender |
Not specified |
|
Refinancing restrictions |
Varies by lender |
Varies by lender |
Auto Credit Express auto loans
-
Auto Credit Express connects borrowers with bad credit to lenders in its network. These lending partners provide a variety of specialty auto loan options, including bad credit loans, bankruptcy loans and military auto loans.
Auto Credit Express auto refinance loans give vehicle owners the opportunity to refinance if their credit score has improved or they need a different repayment term.
-
Pros
- Income and employment considered during underwriting
- Low monthly income requirement of $1,500 to qualify
- Co-signers allowed
Cons
- Customer support unavailable on weekends
- Auto loan APRs not disclosed
- Must purchase new vehicles from a partner dealership
CarsDirect auto loans
-
Since 1998, CarsDirect has connected drivers with auto loans and new and used cars for sale. They cater to customers with all types of credit, including bad credit. CarsDirect is not a lender — like Auto Credit Express, it’s a loan marketplace.
Additionally, CarsDirect has a car shopping platform. While you don’t need to purchase the car you’re funding through CarsDirect, the ability to do so adds convenience.
-
Pros
- Caters specifically to credit-challenged borrowers
- Can help you locate your next vehicle
- Large lender network
Cons
- APRs and loan terms aren’t published online
- Customer reviews cite poor service and privacy issues
- Eligibility guidelines not disclosed
How to choose between Auto Credit Express and CarsDirect
The two lending services are fairly similar, but Auto Credit Express has a better reputation. On the other hand, CarsDirect offers full service by helping you find car dealers and auto loans all in one place.
APR range
Neither Auto Credit Express nor CarsDirect share information about their auto loan rates. However, since both lenders work primarily with bad-credit borrowers, you can expect their rates to be higher than average.
Minimum credit score
Both platforms claim to work with borrowers with bad credit, even those with a bankruptcy on their credit report, but neither specifies a minimum credit score required to secure a purchase or refinance loan. To qualify for a loan with Auto Credit Express, you must be able to prove a monthly income of at least $1,500.
Repayment terms
Lending partners in the Auto Credit Express network offer repayment terms between 36 and 72 months. CarsDirect does not publish this information.
Loan amount
CarsDirect doesn’t share the loan amounts it offers, but the loan size you qualify for may depend on your credit profile. Bad-credit borrowers are likely to qualify for smaller auto loans.
Auto Credit Express finances vehicles between $7,000 and $45,000. Since the average used car cost less than $26,000 at the beginning of 2025, according to Kelley Blue Book, an auto loan from Auto Credit Express can finance a wide variety of vehicles.
Fees
Neither platform is transparent about the fees the lenders in its network charge to originate an auto loan, but most lenders charge an assortment of fees. Read your lending disclosure carefully and ask questions about any fees you don’t understand — some may be negotiable.
Bottom line: Which lender is better?
If you want to do everything in one place and have bad credit, CarsDirect could be a good option. This platform can help you find a local auto dealer and connect you with the financing you need to purchase the car.
Of the two companies, Auto Credit Express seems to have a better reputation, boasting an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). It’s also more transparent about important auto loan details.
Compare more lenders before applying
If you need to finance a car but you have bad credit, both CarsDirect and Auto Credit Express can probably help you. But other lenders serving bad-credit borrowers offer more transparency and receive better feedback from current customers. Before you decide on a lender for a new or refinance auto loan, compare multiple lenders to find the best option for you.
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