Equity

Car equity is the difference between the market value of a car and any outstanding balance on a loan or lease used to purchase the car.

In essence, it is the difference between the market value of a car and the total amount owed on it by the car buyer or owner.

It is an important concept for individuals seeking to refinance a loan or sell/trade in their vehicle, as it helps determine how much money they will receive in either situation.

Car equity can be used in a variety of ways, including:

Taking out an auto loan: Car equity can be used as collateral to secure an auto loan. This means that if you default on the loan, the lender can take possession of your car to recoup their losses.

Refinancing an existing loan: You may be able to use the equity in your car to refinance your existing auto loan with better terms and lower payments.

Selling or trading in your car: If you have enough equity in your car, you may be able to sell it or trade it in for a different model without having to pay anything out of pocket.

Getting cash back: Some lenders will provide cash back when you purchase a new vehicle using your existing car as collateral. This is essentially like taking out a loan against the equity in your current car, minus any fees associated with the transaction.

Covering emergency expenses: In some cases, you may be able to use the equity in your car as a source of emergency funds if you need money quickly and don’t have other resources available.