Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp. auto loans review: Financing considered for those with solid credit

Smiling African American woman leaning on car windowImage: Smiling African American woman leaning on car window

In a Nutshell

A Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp. auto loan might be a strong option if you have your heart set on a new or pre-owned Nissan for your next car. But you’ll typically need healthy credit — and you’ll only be able to shop at an authorized Nissan dealer for a newer-model car.
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Pros

  • Wide range of loan and lease terms
  • May have special deals for recent and upcoming college graduates

Cons

  • Only available for vehicles at authorized Nissan dealerships
  • Cars six years or older aren’t eligible
  • FICO score of at least 660 may be required

What you need to know about Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp. auto loans

Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp., the financial-services arm of Nissan North America, provides auto financing and leasing through Nissan dealers at authorized U.S. Nissan dealerships. If you’re considering applying for a NMAC loan or lease, here are some of the features that stand out.

Limited loan options and dealership restrictions

If you want to apply for NMAC financing, you’ll be limited to purchasing a new or used vehicle from an authorized Nissan dealership. If approved, your loan options can include …

  • A car loan for a new Nissan
  • A car loan for a pre-owned Nissan or other used vehicle that’s less than six years old

You can also apply for financing to lease a new car through Nissan’s “SignatureLEASE” program.

Good credit typically required

Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp. looks for credit scores of 660 or higher, according to the lender’s prospectus issued in May 2019.

Deals for college graduates

If you’re a recent graduate or expecting to graduate in the next six months from a qualified college, trade school or other approved program, you may be eligible for special offers. Deals are unique to each Nissan dealer, but may include discounts on select new Nissan models.

A closer look at Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp. auto loans

When trying to decide if an NMAC auto loan is right for you, here are a few more things to consider.

  • If you need a co-applicant, you’ll have to apply at your local Nissan dealership.
  • You can choose from a range of terms for the length of your loan, from as short as one year up to six years. If you plan to lease, you can choose a term from two to five years.
  • There’s no prepayment penalty for paying off your loan early.

Is a Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp. auto loan right for you?

NMAC auto loans can be a convenient option for someone who plans to buy a Nissan from a local Nissan dealership. An NMAC auto loan might also be a good choice for recent and upcoming college graduates, if special promotions are available.

If you aren’t a graduate, keep in mind that you’ll generally need good or excellent credit to be considered for an NMAC auto loan, among other considerations. NMAC looks for a minimum FICO score of 660, and the majority of its customers have scores over 700, according to its May 2019 prospectus.

How to apply for a loan from Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp.

To apply for an NMAC loan, you must visit your local Nissan dealership. But you can start the process with an online preapproval application. To apply, you’ll need to be 18 or older, have a valid Social Security number and be a U.S. resident. You’ll also need to be employed or have verifiable income and an email address. If you’re not comfortable applying online, you can download a paper application to complete and bring to your dealership.

Auto loan alternatives to consider

Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp. auto loans can be a convenient option if you have good credit and are interested in buying a new or pre-owned car from your local Nissan dealership. But if you prefer to shop around or aren’t sure if a Nissan is the vehicle for you, here are two other potential options.

  • PNC auto loan: A PNC auto loan could be a good option for someone who wants to shop like a cash buyer.
  • CarsDirect auto loan: The CarsDirect lender network may be a good option for people with no credit or lower credit scores.


About the author: Sarah Archambault is a freelance writer based in New England. She enjoys learning new ways to spend money wisely and helping others figure out how to make smart financial decisions. Sarah is a graduate of the Newhouse… Read more.