Auto Loan to Value Calculator

This calculator measures a car loan against the vehicle behind it rather than against the payment. Enter a balance and a current value for a loan already running, or a price, value, down payment, trade-in, tax and fees for a deal being signed, and it returns the loan to value ratio, the equity or negative equity, and how much the loan exceeds the vehicle. It also shows what it would take to bring the ratio down to 100 percent or 90 percent. The ratio is what a lender looks at when deciding whether to approve, and the amount above 100 percent is what gap insurance exists to cover. Vehicle values are not built in, because what a car is worth turns on its mileage, condition and local market.

Calculator Type

For a loan already running. Enter what is still owed and what the vehicle is worth today.

Vehicle Value ($) *

What the vehicle itself is worth: a book value, a trade-in or retail quote, or an insurer settlement figure. Lenders usually measure against a published book value, not the sticker price.

Loan Balance Still Owed ($) *

The payoff figure from the lender, not the amount originally borrowed.

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Tax, fees and any negative equity rolled over from a trade are all financed, so the loan at signing is larger than the price. This works out the ratio the lender will see.

Vehicle Price ($) *

The agreed selling price before tax and fees.

Vehicle Value for the Lender ($) *

What the vehicle itself is worth: a book value, a trade-in or retail quote, or an insurer settlement figure. Lenders usually measure against a published book value, not the sticker price. A negotiated price above or below book is exactly what moves this ratio.

Cash Down Payment ($)

Trade-In Allowance ($)

What the dealer is giving you for the old vehicle.

Payoff Still Owed on the Trade-In ($)

Anything owed above the allowance is rolled into the new loan.

Sales Tax Rate (%)

Charged here on the price less the trade-in allowance, which is how most states with a sales tax treat a trade.

Doc, Title and Registration Fees ($)

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