Grow Financial Federal Credit Union listed new-vehicle loans as low as 5.24% APR and used-vehicle loans as low as 5.74% APR on its auto loans page, with those rates marked effective 11/05/2026 when I read the page on Nov. 5, 2026. Both bands ran up to 18.0% APR based on credit, collateral, term and loan-to-value. The page does not say a CARFAX is required, but a used car still needs a title Grow can lien and a value that supports the loan.
New versus used floors
Grow's table separated new and used clearly. New cars, trucks and vans started at 5.24% fixed and could reach 18.0%. Used cars started at 5.74% and also topped out at 18.0%. The half-point gap between new and used is smaller than some banks post, so the bigger swing is your credit file and the car's loan-to-value. Ask for the rate without optional products before you compare, and get the payment and total interest in writing.
Other vehicle types on the same page
The same Nov. 5, 2026 table listed watercraft, RVs and motorcycles with their own floors, from about 5.0% on some new RVs to the high sevens and eights on motorcycles. If you are financing a bike or a boat instead of a car, use those rows, not the auto floors. Grow also mentioned CU AutoBranch select pre-owned vehicles with promotional APRs that can run much lower, including a stated range from 0.00% to 8.49% on select inventory, which is a different product than a regular used-car loan.
History check before preapproval
Because used rates depend on collateral and loan-to-value, a branded title or a thin service history can change the deal even after a soft preapproval. Pull a report, run the VIN at NHTSA, and read our what CARFAX does not show guide so you know the gaps. Honestly, I would rather lose a day on inspection than find a title brand at funding.
Does Grow Financial require a CARFAX?
Credit unions generally care about the title, the value and the lien, and their published pages rarely say a history report is required. They do need a clean, transferable title so they can record their lien, and an older or branded car can change the rate or the loan amount. Our financing a rebuilt title car guide covers why branded titles get harder to finance. Pull a report before you apply, not after, so a surprise brand does not show up at funding.
Checks to run before you sign
- Run the VIN at the NHTSA recall lookup for open campaigns.
- Check title brands through an approved NMVTIS provider.
- Pull a history report and compare mileage readings over time.
- On a private sale, confirm the seller's lien is paid off. Our lien release guide walks through that step.
- Get a pre-purchase inspection on anything out of warranty.
Questions to ask the loan officer
- What exact APR and term would I get on this specific car, by VIN and model year?
- Does the rate change for a private-party sale versus a dealer purchase?
- Is there a maximum vehicle age or mileage, and a minimum loan amount?
- How long is a preapproval good for, and does the rate lock with it?
- Will you finance a car with a rebuilt, salvage or out-of-state title?
Dealer sale or private sale
At a dealer, the dealer usually handles the title and sends it to the lender. In a private sale, the credit union often pays the seller or the seller's lender directly and then waits for the title to arrive with its lien recorded. That takes longer, so plan for it. Do not hand cash to a private seller before the lender confirms the payoff and the title path. Our private-party CARFAX guide covers what to check on the seller's side.
Compare the offer, not just the rate
A low advertised APR only helps if you qualify for it and the term fits your budget. Ask for the exact APR, term, payment and total interest in writing, and compare it with a dealer offer and at least one other lender. The CFPB auto loan tools explain how to read a loan estimate. Decide on add-ons such as GAP coverage on their own merits; our GAP insurance guide covers when it makes sense.
What the report costs
As of early November 2026 a CARFAX bought direct usually costs around $44.99, and AutoCheck sits a little lower. We are a licensed CARFAX and AutoCheck reseller, not affiliated with CARFAX, AutoCheck or Experian. Our guest price has been about $5.50 a report, about $4.50 for members, and about $6.75 for a CARFAX and AutoCheck bundle. Confirm the price at checkout, since it can change.
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!
Log in to leave a comment.