Cash Back Car Loans & Rebates: Everything You Need to Know

When you’re considering getting a new(er) car, the first thing you’ll consider will be how much it will cost you and also what kind of dent it will put in your savings. Some lenders offer cash back rebates with car loans.

The words “cash back” create an alluring proposition. You instantly envision everything you could do with that extra money in your pocket. But is this offer just a sales tactic, or can you really come out ahead?

While cash back offers on cars are a sales tactic, several key factors will determine how worthwhile it is for you. In this article, we’ll answer some frequently asked questions about cash back car loans to help you decide if it's right for you.

What does cash back mean when buying a car?

Like so many Canadians, when you buy a car, you’ll likely choose a car loan to pay for it. In order to boost sales, some lenders advertise an enticing loan offer that includes cash back.

It may sound as though this type of loan will reduce the cost of your car. In fact, it offers more than you require for the cost of the car with extra credit that you can turn into cash.

For example, if your newer car will cost $13,000, and your cash back is $2,000, your new car loan is now $15,000.

Is it possible to get ahead with a cash back car loan?

You can use your cash back rebate on whatever you like, but remember, it's not free money. However, there are ways that you can come out ahead financially. Here's how you can leverage a cash back car loan to your advantage:

Down payment: A common obstacle of buying a new car is not having enough for a down payment. A cash back car loan is one way to get around that. You can use the rebate towards your down payment.

With the reinvestment of the rebate as a down payment, you might be able to buy a car that you otherwise could not afford. It might be tempting to drive off the lot without paying a dollar upfront, but when you owe more than the car is worth (thanks to depreciation), it could end up costing you a lot down the road.

We strongly advise putting your cash rebate towards the down payment.

Pay off higher interest debt: If you get a substantial rebate, you might also be able to pay down a debt or expense that has higher interest. Whenever you pay an interest rate that is higher than your car loan interest rate, it may be a good idea to pay off that debt with the money you get as cash back. For example, if your cash back car loan has an interest rate of 14%, and you pay off a different debt that carries 24%, you save.

Remember though: you do have to pay sales tax on the cash back, as it’s part of the car loan contract.

And be mindful of the term over which you pay it off. If your high-interest loan is paid off in 12 months, it could end up costing you more if you use cash back money financed over a 48 or 60-month term. 

Can I refinance my car and get cash back?

If you’re stuck with a high car payment but you need cash to deal with other things in life, it might feel like you have no options. Refinancing your car loan could help you alleviate some stress and put badly-needed cash in hand. 

Essentially, you’re borrowing against the equity you have in your vehicle. If your car is worth more than the balance left on your car loan, you may be able to dip into that equity. The lender will consider your credit and, if it’s good enough, will add the cashback amount to your car loan balance. You may be able to lengthen your term also, lowering your overall payments. 

Can I trade in my car and get cash back?

You may want to trade in a car you own outright but also want some of the cash to use on other expenses. That’s possible too. When you’re completing the financing for your vehicle, you’ll have to specify how much you’d like back in cash and how much of your trade value you’d like to put towards the new vehicle. 

If you need cash back from a trade-in, the simpler option may be to sell your car privately and split up your down payment and ‘cash back’ portion yourself.

Who offers cash back on cars?

Manufacturers usually offer cash back car loans. This is mainly because they have particular cars they want to sell first, so they bring customers in with an extra incentive. You might see this nearing the end of a slower month, or at the end of a model year. A word to the wise: you may be able to negotiate a good deal for yourself. A cash back offer could be a sign that a lender is eager to get those cars off the lot.

Lending institutions also offer cash back car loans, either for a new(er) car, or to refinance your existing car loan. There may be times when you suddenly need to reduce your monthly payments, and extend your car loan (which would incur more interest). This could help you keep your credit score up, if you’re undergoing financial stress. It is still better to go this route than to default on one, or more, of your loans.

Although it is very rare, car dealers may have cash back offers along with reduced car loan interest rates. Most of the time, you must choose one or the other. Which leads us to our best tip to find a great cash back financing deal: look for someone offering both!

The downsides of cash back car loans

As discussed, there are advantages to a cash-back car loan, but there are disadvantages too. Remember that the downsides are the kind that might affect your finances, such as paying interest and sales tax on the extra cash. In some cases, your credit score could be affected since your debt load has increased. Educating yourself about car finance is the best way to find the best possible deal.

Get pre-approved with Canada Drives

If you're looking for a great car deal, don't forget to search the used car market; it's where some of the best offers can be found. Canada Drives can help you get pre-approved for a car loan and connect you with a dealership in your area that will have quality cars available for you to choose from that you already qualify for! It only takes a few minutes to complete the easy online application.

Get pre-approved today and you could be driving your new car as early as tomorrow.