M&T Bank does not include a free CARFAX or AutoCheck report with its auto loans, and nothing on its auto loan page as of October 17, 2026 says it requires one. The page lists what you need to apply, and a history report is not on it. M&T lends two ways, directly to you and through dealers, so who checks the car depends on which door you walk through. In both cases the report is your job if you want one.
I read M&T's consumer auto loan page and its dealer financing page on Saturday afternoon, Pacific time, along with trade press on its auto bond deals and its latest earnings call. One limit up front: M&T's rate table loads by script, and what came back to me was a template with blank placeholders where the APRs go. So I am not quoting a rate. Use the calculator on the M&T site, or call, and get the number in writing.
What M&T's direct auto loan says
The M&T auto loans page says you can finance new or used cars and trucks, buy from a dealer or a private party, and take up to 30 days to make the purchase. Terms run up to 84 months, the minimum loan is $2,000, and there are relationship discounts if you have a qualifying M&T checking account. To apply it asks for basic personal information, vehicle details (new or used, dealer or private sale), the amount and term you want, and your state. That is the whole list. A history report never comes up.
The fine print is worth a slow read. To get the lowest advertised APR, the term has to be at or under a cap, the car's model year has to be at or above a cutoff, you need an M&T MyChoice Premium or Power Checking account, and you have to set up automatic payments from M&T checking. The page also says your rate depends on your credit, the vehicle, the amount, the term and your location. In plain terms, an older used car can cost you more to finance even before anyone looks at its history. The contact form on that page lets you pick only 12 states plus D.C., from Maine down to Virginia and West Virginia, so check that M&T lends where you live before you count on it.
Buying through a dealer with M&T money
M&T also runs indirect financing for auto, marine and RV dealers, which means a dealer can send your loan application to M&T from the finance office. On its July 15, 2026 earnings call, as transcribed by The Motley Fool, consumer loans came to $26.7 billion, up 2% on recreational finance and home equity lines, and management said both the consumer indirect and direct businesses grew and should keep growing. When you buy this way, the dealer usually hands you its own free report. Read our post on whether a dealership's free AutoCheck is enough before you lean on it, since the seller chose it.
What M&T's loan pools tell you
M&T is a prime lender on cars. Asset Securitization Report wrote on February 11, 2025 that M&T was selling $767.3 million of bonds backed by its own auto loans, with a weighted average FICO score of 761 and a weighted average term of 76 months, and about 87% of the pool on original terms longer than 60 months. Long terms on a used car are where history problems bite. If the car turns out to have a hidden frame repair, you can owe more than it is worth for years.
There is also a cautionary tale about car paperwork. American Banker reported on February 19, 2026 that investors sued M&T's Wilmington Trust unit over its role as custodian for trusts tied to Tricolor, the subprime auto lender that collapsed in September 2025. Prosecutors have accused Tricolor executives of schemes that included double-pledging auto-loan collateral. M&T said it had no loans to Tricolor and will defend the suit. The point for you is narrow: even big institutions can miss what is really behind a car loan, so check the car itself.
How M&T compares with the other banks we checked
Our Regions auto loan CARFAX policy post covers a bank that quit dealer lending in 2019 and lends only directly. The TD Bank auto loan CARFAX policy post covers a lender that works through dealers. Our Citizens write-up covers a bank that stopped dealer lending in 2023, and the KeyBank one covers a direct-only loan. M&T still does both, which makes it the odd one out. None of the five gives you a free report.
Getting the report yourself
For a private sale financed by M&T, our CARFAX for private party sales guide covers what to run and when. Search NMVTIS for title brands, decode the VIN with NHTSA's vPIC, and be wary of any seller who emails you a PDF report but stalls on the VIN. Fake reports are easy to make. We see them.
CarVins is a licensed CARFAX and AutoCheck reseller and is not affiliated with CARFAX, AutoCheck, Experian or M&T Bank. In mid October 2026, single reports here are about $5.50 as a guest or $4.50 for members, the bundle is near $6.75, and buying direct usually runs $39.99 to $44.99. Check the total at checkout.
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