New tool from the Environmental Protection Agency buyers with problem credit find the most efficient used cars to help them save on fuel costs during an auto loan
EPA Tool Helps Poor Credit Used Car Buyers
Our experience
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently developed an online tool that could help car shoppers with deficient credit profiles estimate in advance what kind of gas mileage they should expect in order to control some of the expenses over and above their car loan payment.
Here at Auto Credit Express we think this a great idea based on more than twenty years experience helping car buyers with bad credit that have been searching for online auto loans actually find those dealers that can offer them their best opportunities for auto loan approvals.
Choosing the best vehicle
To start with and to help offset the higher interest rates that are found with high-risk car loans, these borrowers should be looking at an affordable subcompact, compact or possibly an entry-level midsize car. This will save them money on interest, insurance and fuel expenses.In just about every case, picking out a used car instead of a new vehicle from one of those categories makes even more sense. Consider just this fact: according to Consumer Reports, the average new car “loses up to 47 percent of its value in the first three years.”
Used cars
But unlike new cars, used cars don’t come with a Monroney label. That’s the official name for the “window sticker” that must be affixed to every new car available for sale. It lists such things as the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) and all factory-installed options, the vehicle destination charge, parts content information, standard and optional equipment as well as EPA fuel economy estimates.
While some of this might be helpful for shoppers, probably the most important piece of information for used car buyers would be those fuel economy figures; information, up until now, not easily available.
But that situation just changed.
EPA fuel economy tool
Just this week it was announced that the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Department had released a fuel economy tool for used vehicles. The new label features EPA fuel economy estimates and CO2 estimates for used vehicles sold in the United States since 1984.
Here is an excerpt from the press release:
All new vehicles now include a comprehensive fuel economy and environmental window sticker from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, including passenger vehicles that meet the new fuel economy standards. With the FuelEconomy.gov tool released today, used vehicle sellers can provide potential buyers with comparable fuel economy information. Last year, over 40 million used cars were sold in the United States – roughly three times the number of new cars sold in 2012.
Consumers may create the new label electronically as part of a new tool on FuelEconomy.gov. This electronic graphic can be downloaded and included in online advertisements on the web, while the paper label may be printed and affixed to the vehicle window.
As a vehicle’s fuel economy changes very little over a typical 15-year life with proper maintenance, the original EPA fuel economy estimate remains the best indicator of a used vehicle’s average gas mileage.
“Making fuel economy information more easily accessible can help Americans save money at the gas pump and reduce carbon pollution,” said EPA Acting Administrator for Air and Radiation Janet McCabe. “Buying any vehicle is an investment, and the information on these labels will help consumers make informed decisions and calculate the cost of ownership.”
According to the EPA, used vehicles’ information will also be available on FuelEconomy.gov in addition to annual fuel cost and petroleum use estimates. More information on the used vehicle tool is available at www.Fueleconomy.gov.
As we see it
Choosing a used car with poor fuel economy could end up being more expensive than necessary if borrowers find themselves footing the bill for more fuel fill-ups in addition to their monthly car payments.Another problem that buyers with poor credit scores often encounter is locating a car dealer willing to work with them. That’s why here at Auto Credit Express we specialize in helping consumers with car credit issues find dealers for their best chances at approved auto loans.
So if you’re ready to reestablish your auto credit, you can begin now by filling out our online auto loan application.
