Texell Credit Union Auto Loan: Pre-Owned Rates and Checks

Texell Credit Union in Temple, Texas, listed pre-owned auto loans as low as 4.74% APR for 36 months on its rates page, with rates effective 10/22/2026, when I checked it on Nov. 5, 2026. Those numbers assume a credit score of 740 or higher plus several discounts, so many buyers will see more. The page does not say a CARFAX is required, but a clean title and a history check are still on you before you sign.

Pre-owned rates and payments

The pre-owned table listed 4.74% for 36 months, 4.99% for 60, 5.24% for 72 and 6.24% for 84. Texell also printed a payment per $1,000 borrowed: about $29.85 at 36 months, $18.87 at 60, $16.22 at 72 and $14.72 at 84. So a $20,000 loan at 60 months would be roughly $377 a month at the floor rate. New auto rates were half a point lower, from 4.24% to 5.74%. The jump from 72 to 84 months is a full point on used cars, which is worth noticing before you stretch the term.

What the as-low-as rate assumes

The footnote says the advertised rates are for borrowers with a 740 or higher credit score and include discounts for credit life and disability coverage, major mechanical protection, and a loan-to-value under 80%. That is a lot of conditions. If you do not want the add-on coverage, or you are putting little down, ask for the rate without those discounts. Treat any add-on on its own merits; our service contract guide explains what mechanical coverage usually does and does not pay for.

Refinancing at Texell

The rates page notes that existing Texell loans are not eligible for refinance. If you already have a Texell auto loan, a lower posted rate will not help you move that loan. If your loan is elsewhere, ask whether a refinance uses the same table and the same discount assumptions.

Does Texell Credit Union 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.

Sources

• Texell Credit Union rates page (checked Nov. 5, 2026)
• NHTSA recall lookup
• NMVTIS, U.S. Department of Justice
• CFPB auto loan resources