Auto Loan Prepayment Penalties to Watch Out For

Taking out an auto loan is often necessary to purchase a new or used car. But before signing on the dotted line, it’s important to understand the terms of the loan agreement – including whether the lender charges prepayment penalties. These pesky fees can cost you hundreds, even thousands of dollars if you decide to pay off your auto loan early.

In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about auto loan prepayment penalties: what they are, how much they cost, which states allow them, and most importantly, how to avoid them. Let’s hit the road!

What Is a Prepayment Penalty?

A prepayment penalty is a fee charged by a lender when you pay off your auto loan ahead of schedule. This could happen if you:

• Pay off the entire remaining balance early
• Make extra payments to pay down the principal faster
• Refinance the loan before maturity

Lenders include these clauses to ensure they earn enough interest over the full loan term. If you pay off the balance early, the lender misses out on expected interest – so they charge you a penalty to make up for that lost revenue.

How Much Do Prepayment Penalties Cost?

There’s no standard formula – prepayment penalty amounts vary by lender. But typically, you’ll face a penalty of 1-3% of the remaining loan balance. So if you still owed $15,000 on your auto loan, the prepayment fee could range from $150 to $450. Ouch!

According to Consumer Reports data, the average prepayment penalty is around $500. But for larger loans or higher penalty rates, you could pay $1,000 or more.

Which States Allow Prepayment Penalties?

Whether prepayment penalties are legal depends on your state’s laws. Here’s a quick rundown of where they’re allowed:

• Legal in 36 states + Washington D.C. – Lenders can charge penalties on loans up to 60 months.
• Banned in 14 states – Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

So if you live in CA, NY, or another state where prepayment fees are prohibited, you’re in the clear. But in most states, lenders can hit you with a penalty for paying off your loan early.

How Do Lenders Get Away with Charging Them?

Even though prepayment penalties can cost consumers hundreds of dollars, they’re legal thanks to a loophole in the Truth in Lending Act (TILA). This federal law regulates credit transactions like auto loans.

Under TILA, lenders must disclose the terms of the loan upfront – including the Annual Percentage Rate (APR), total interest costs, payment amount, and loan length. If the agreement includes a prepayment penalty, the lender has to clearly state that.

As long as the penalty clause is written into the loan contract, and the lender discloses it to you, they’re in the clear. Sneaky, right?

Who’s Most at Risk for Prepayment Penalties?

Certain consumers are more likely to get stuck with these fees. Watch out if you:

• Have bad credit – Lenders view you as higher-risk, so they use penalties to protect themselves.
• Take out a long-term loan – The longer the term, the higher the penalty.
• Get dealer financing – Dealer-arranged loans often have prepayment clauses.
• Don’t understand the loan terms – Failing to read the fine print can cost you.

Also, prepayment penalties are more common with subprime lenders. Borrowers with poor credit may feel they have no choice but to accept the penalty terms.

The True Cost of Prepayment Penalties

Beyond the actual fee amount, prepayment penalties can cost you in other ways:

• Lost interest savings – You lose out on saving money if you can’t pay off high-rate debt early.
• Higher loan cost – Penalties can add hundreds to the total loan expense.
• Missed refi opportunity – You may miss chances to refinance at lower rates.

And for financially-strapped borrowers, an unexpected penalty can make it harder to pay other bills or save money.

How to Avoid Auto Loan Prepayment Penalties

Now that you know how much prepayment penalties can cost, let’s discuss how to avoid them:

1. Shop around – Compare loan offers from multiple lenders and negotiate the terms.
2. Read the fine print – Don’t sign anything until you fully understand the contract.
3. Ask questions – Specifically ask if there’s a penalty for early repayment.
4. Say no to penalties – Refuse to accept any loan with a prepayment clause.
5. Use direct lender – Avoid dealer financing, which often includes penalties.

Being an informed borrower is your best defense against sneaky lender fees. And you may have to walk away from a deal if the lender insists on unfair penalty terms.

What to Do if You Have a Loan with a Prepayment Penalty

If you already have a loan with a prepayment penalty, all hope is not lost. Here are some potential options:

• Talk to the lender – Ask politely if they’ll waive the penalty fee. Especially if you’ve been a good customer.
• Make interest-only payments – This avoids paying down principal and triggering the penalty.
• Wait out the term – You can avoid the fee by not paying early.
• Pay the minimum penalty – Ask if you can pay a smaller percentage (like 1%) instead.
• Refinance with another lender – This may help you dodge the penalty.

You may have to get creative to avoid or reduce the prepayment penalty. But it’s often worth the effort to save hundreds or thousands of dollars.

The Bottom Line

Prepayment penalties are annoying fees that can take a bite out of your wallet. While they’re legal in most states, you can avoid them by being an informed borrower.

Shop around for the best loan terms, read agreements carefully, and don’t be afraid to walk away from bad deals. Your best defense is refusing to accept loans with prepayment clauses. That keeps more money in your pocket instead of lining the lender’s pockets.

With the right knowledge, you can take control of the auto financing process. And drive off with a penalty-free loan that accelerates your savings.

Helpful Resources

• Auto Loan Prepayment Clauses: Avoid Paying More – Overview of prepayment penalties from Bankrate.
• Can I prepay my loan without penalty? – Info from the CFPB on early repayment.
• Prepayment Penalties and Predatory Lending – When penalties can be considered predatory.