Auto Approve reviews come from people who used our free connecting service to look for a personal loan for car repairs, insurance bills, inspections, tires and brakes, or collision costs. Auto Approve Loans is not a lender, and despite the name nothing is decided automatically: participating lenders make every credit decision, set the rate and terms, and may decline a request. This page explains how ratings are collected, what borrowers praise, what they criticize, and how to read reviews of any loan service with a skeptical eye.
Our current rating is 4.6 out of 5 from 4,320 borrower ratings, and we have served about 48,000 customers. The 36 stories shown on this page are illustrative examples written to reflect the kinds of feedback we receive, including the critical ones.
How Auto Approve Reviews and Ratings Are Collected
Auto Approve reviews are collected through a short follow-up survey sent to people who submitted a request, whether or not they received or accepted an offer, so declined and unmatched borrowers can rate the service too.
A few days after a request, we send one email asking for a star rating from one to five and an optional comment. We ask everyone, not only people who borrowed, because the experience of someone who was not matched matters as much as the experience of someone who was. We do not offer gift cards, discounts or entries into drawings for leaving a rating, since rewards tend to push scores upward.
- One rating per request, tied to a real submission.
- Ratings are not edited; comments may be trimmed only to remove personal details such as account numbers or phone numbers.
- Low ratings are included in the average and are never hidden.
- Comments about a specific lender's offer are passed along as feedback, but we cannot change a lender's decision.
Rating Breakdown: 4.6 Out of 5 From 4,320 Ratings
The 4.6-star average comes from 4,320 ratings: 72% five stars, 18% four stars, 6% three stars, 2% two stars and 2% one star, meaning about one in ten borrowers rated the experience three stars or lower.
| Stars | Share of ratings | Approximate number |
|---|---|---|
| 5 stars | 72% | About 3,110 |
| 4 stars | 18% | About 780 |
| 3 stars | 6% | About 260 |
| 2 stars | 2% | About 85 |
| 1 star | 2% | About 85 |
A high average does not mean every borrower got a personal loan or a low rate. Many five-star comments praise speed and clarity even when the APR was high. Many lower ratings come from people who were not matched, felt the rate was too expensive, or received more follow-up contact than they expected.

What Borrowers Praise Most
Borrowers most often praise a short request form, seeing more than one personal loan offer in one place, clear fee disclosures, and, when approved, funding that some lenders can send as soon as the next business day.
Speed when timing matters
Car problems rarely wait. Several comments describe a failed inspection with a registration deadline, an insurance premium due within days, or a car stuck at the shop until a deductible is paid. If approved, some lenders can send funds as soon as the next business day, which lets borrowers schedule the repair quickly. Speed depends on the lender and the borrower's bank, and it is never promised.
Clear costs
Borrowers frequently mention that the APR, origination fee and monthly payment were easy to find. A common example is someone who needed $1,500 for a water pump and noticed that a fee would be taken from the proceeds, so they adjusted the amount. Our guide to personal loan rates for car expenses explains how fees fit into APR.
Honest guidance about alternatives
Some of the most positive comments come from people who were told to check a shop payment plan, an insurance claim or savings before borrowing. Borrowers appreciate not being pushed toward a larger personal loan than the repair requires.
What Borrowers Criticize
Critical reviews usually mention high APR offers for fair or poor credit, not being matched with any lender, slower funding caused by verification or weekends, and more follow-up calls or emails than expected.
We take these complaints seriously and try to be plain about the causes:
- High rates: personal loans in this range typically carry APRs from about 6% to 35.99%. Borrowers with lower credit scores often receive offers near the top. We cannot lower a lender's rate.
- Declines and no match: not all applicants are approved. Lenders weigh credit history, income and debt-to-income ratio, and some simply do not lend in every state.
- Slow funding: extra document requests, employment verification, weekends and bank holidays can add days.
- Contact volume: when a request is shared with participating lenders, more than one may reach out. You can ask any lender to stop contacting you, and you can unsubscribe from our emails at any time.
Auto Approve Loans has shortened its follow-up schedule and has made opt-out links easier to find based on this feedback.
Common Questions Raised in Reviews
Questions in reviews usually concern credit checks, how information is shared, whether the service costs anything, and what happens after a decline, and the short answers below reflect how the service actually works.
Does submitting a request hurt my credit?
Many lenders begin with a soft credit check, which does not affect your score. A lender may run a hard check if you move forward with an offer. Each lender sets its own process, so read the disclosure on the offer.
Does the service charge a fee?
No. Submitting a request is free. Lenders may charge their own fees, such as an origination fee, which appear in the loan offer before you accept it.
Why did I get only one offer, or none?
Offers depend on the lenders in the network, your state, your credit profile and the amount requested. A smaller request, a lower debt load or a co-signer can sometimes change the outcome, but auto loan approval for repair costs always rests with the lender. The loan eligibility requirements page lists what lenders usually look for.
Can I use the money at any shop?
A personal loan is typically deposited into your bank account, so you can pay any repair shop, a body shop recommended by your insurer, or your insurance company directly.
How to Read Personal Loan Service Reviews Wisely
Reading reviews wisely means looking past the star average to the details: what the borrower needed, their credit situation, the loan amount, the timeline and whether the complaint is about the service or a specific lender's offer.
- Look for specifics. A review that mentions a $780 brake job, a 12-month term and next-business-day funding tells you more than "great service."
- Read the three-star reviews. Middle ratings are often the most balanced and show what could go wrong.
- Separate the service from the lender. A high APR is a lender decision; a confusing form or excessive contact is a service issue.
- Match the situation to yours. A borrower with excellent credit will see different offers than someone rebuilding credit.
- Watch for patterns. One slow funding story is normal; dozens describing the same problem is a warning sign.
- Be wary of perfect scores. Any real service gets some low ratings.
Borrower Stories by Car Expense Type
Borrower stories on this page cover five kinds of car costs: auto repair, car insurance, inspection and emissions repairs, tires and brakes, and collision repair, with typical amounts from about $450 to $3,000.
Auto repair stories often involve alternators, starters, transmissions and cooling systems, with bills from roughly $750 to $2,400. Insurance stories describe paying a six-month or annual premium before a policy lapses. Inspection stories usually involve a catalytic converter, oxygen sensor or evap leak with a retest deadline. Tire and brake stories range from a $540 pad-and-rotor job to a $1,300 combined visit. Collision stories often mention a $500 or $1,000 deductible owed before an approved auto repair estimate is completed and the car released.
The common thread is a defined, necessary expense. Borrowers who got a written estimate before applying tended to request the right amount and report the best experiences.
Representative Cost of a Personal Loan for Car Repairs
A personal loan for a car repair costs the amount borrowed plus interest and any fees, and the total depends heavily on APR and term, so reviewers who compared total cost were usually happiest with their choice.
Representative example: a $2,000 personal loan repaid over 12 months at 24% APR would cost about $189.12 per month, or $2,269.43 in total ($269.43 in interest). This is an estimate; your actual rate and terms are set by the lender.
Shorter terms raise the monthly payment but lower the interest. For example, $1,000 at 24% APR over 6 months costs about $178.53 a month with about $71.15 in interest, while the same amount over 18 months costs about $66.70 a month with about $200.64 in interest. Try your own numbers with the personal loan calculator.
When a Personal Loan May Not Be the Right Choice
A personal loan may not be the right choice when a repair shop offers a true zero-interest payment plan, when an insurance claim will cover the cost, when savings can handle the bill, or when the payment would strain your budget.
Several reviewers said they wished they had asked their shop about payment plans first. Others realized after borrowing that a smaller personal loan would have done. Before you request a loan, get a written estimate, ask about shop financing terms, confirm what insurance will pay, and check whether the repair can wait safely. Brakes, tires and steering problems usually cannot wait; a cosmetic dent often can.
How to Leave Feedback About Your Experience
Feedback about your experience can be left through the survey link in your follow-up email, by emailing [email protected], or by calling (888) 957-4039 during support hours.
Auto Approve Loans reads every comment. Helpful feedback tells us what you needed the money for, how easy the form was, whether the information you received was clear, and how quickly lenders responded. If you have a complaint about a specific lender's offer or servicing, contact that lender directly as well, since we cannot change its terms. You can also reach us at Auto Approve Loans, 8550 Hillcrest Lane, Suite 159, Lansing, MI 48933. Every rating, including a one-star rating, is counted in the average shown on this page.
Borrower Stories
The 36 stories below are illustrative examples based on common borrower situations. They are not verified customer reviews and are not tied to specific lenders.
Brakes fixed the same week
My front brakes started grinding on the way to work and the shop quoted $540 for pads and rotors. I sent one request in the evening, compared two offers the next morning and picked a 12-month personal loan. The money reached my checking account the following business day and the car was fixed by Friday.
Tires & brakesClear about the fees
What I liked was that the offer I accepted showed the origination fee right next to the APR. I needed $1,500 for a water pump and timing belt, so I borrowed a little more to cover the fee. No surprises later, and the monthly payment fits my budget without stress.
Auto repairGood options, rate a bit high
I have fair credit, so I expected a higher rate and that is what I got. Still, I saw more than one offer in one place instead of filling out forms all afternoon. The loan covered my $1,000 collision deductible and I plan to pay it off early to save interest.
CollisionSaved my inspection deadline
My car failed emissions because of a bad catalytic converter, and registration was due in two weeks. The repair was about $1,400. I compared offers, accepted one with an 18-month term, and the shop finished the work before the retest window closed. The process felt calm and organized.
InspectionSimple form, real people
The request form took me maybe five minutes. A lender called to verify my income, which I appreciated because it felt legitimate. I used the personal loan to pay my six-month car insurance premium so my policy would not lapse, and the payments are spread over a year.
Car insuranceTook two days, but worked
Funding was not overnight for me. The lender asked for an extra pay stub, which added a day, so the money arrived on the second business day. Once it landed, my alternator was replaced within hours. I would use it again but upload documents right away next time.
Auto repairHelpful for a surprise bill
A pothole bent my rim and ruined a tire, and the alignment was off too. Total came to around $650. I did not want to put it on a card at 29%, so I compared small personal loan offers and found a lower rate. Easy process from my phone.
Tires & brakesFine, but fewer offers than hoped
I only received one offer, and the APR was higher than I wanted. It was still cheaper than the shop's financing, so I took it for my $2,200 transmission repair. I would have liked more choices, but the people I talked to were honest about why my options were limited.
Auto repairDeductible covered fast
After a minor rear-end accident my insurer approved the claim, but I owed a $500 deductible before the body shop would release the car. I requested a small loan, accepted a six-month offer and picked up my car two days later. Exactly what I needed.
CollisionUpfront about not being a lender
The site was clear that it connects you with lenders and does not make the decision itself. That honesty made me trust it more. I compared offers for a $1,200 AC compressor and chose the one with no prepayment penalty so I can pay extra in the summer.
Auto repairGood experience overall
My battery and starter both died the same week, which was about $900. The loan offer I picked was reasonable and the funds arrived the next business day. Only complaint is that I got a few follow-up emails afterward, but unsubscribing worked right away.
Auto repairBetter than the tire shop plan
The tire shop offered financing, but the deferred interest terms scared me. I compared a personal loan instead, got a fixed payment for 12 months, and bought four tires plus an alignment for about $950. Knowing the exact payoff date gives me peace of mind.
Tires & brakesDeclined, but they explained why
My request did not lead to an offer because my debt-to-income ratio was too high. I was frustrated, but the follow-up email listed other options like asking the shop for a payment plan. The repair shop agreed to split my bill into three payments, so it worked out differently.
Auto repairInsurance renewal handled
My full-coverage premium jumped at renewal and I did not want to switch to monthly billing with fees. I borrowed $1,100, paid the policy in full for the discount and now repay over 12 months. The math worked in my favor after I compared both options carefully.
Car insuranceQuick and transparent
I had a $780 brake job on both axles and only a few days before a work trip. The request was simple, the lender's terms were easy to read, and nothing was hidden in fine print. I would recommend comparing offers here before agreeing to any shop financing.
Tires & brakesHelpful, a bit slow on a Friday
I applied late on a Friday, so the funds did not arrive until Tuesday because of the weekend and my bank. That is on the timing, not the service. The loan itself was fair for my credit, and it covered the $1,300 repair on my truck's cooling system.
Auto repairSmooth for an emissions repair
My check engine light came on two days before inspection. The shop found an evap leak and an oxygen sensor issue, about $600 together. I compared offers on my lunch break and chose a short term to keep interest low. Passed the retest the following week.
InspectionOffer was higher than expected
The APR I was offered was close to 35%, which is steep. I understand my credit is not great, and the lender was upfront about it. I ended up borrowing only $500 instead of $1,000 and paid the rest of the collision repair from savings to keep the cost down.
CollisionGreat for a first loan
I am 22 and had never taken out a loan before. The lender explained APR, the origination fee and the payment schedule in plain words. I used $700 for brake pads, rotors and a fluid flush, and setting up autopay got me a small rate discount.
Tires & brakesHandled a body shop bill
Someone backed into my car in a parking lot and drove off, so I had to cover the $1,000 deductible. The body shop needed payment before release, and the loan reached me the next business day. Customer support answered my questions quickly by phone.
CollisionGood choices, check your fees
I saw three offers and the lowest APR had the highest fee, which surprised me. After comparing total cost, I picked a middle option for my $1,800 timing belt and water pump job. Read every line before accepting, and you will likely do fine here.
Auto repairKept me driving to work
My transmission started slipping and I drive 40 miles to work each way. The repair was $2,400, more than I had saved. I compared offers, chose an 18-month term and the car was back on the road within a week. That job is my family's income, so this mattered.
Auto repairHelpful phone support
I called the support line with questions about how my information would be shared. The person explained the network, how lenders contact you and how to opt out. I felt comfortable after that and used a small loan for a $450 registration and inspection repair.
InspectionOffer fine, too many calls
The loan for my $1,600 AC repair was fine, and the funds arrived quickly. My issue was the number of calls the first day. I eventually asked to stop contact and they honored it, but I wish I had read the contact consent more closely first.
Auto repairPaid a premium before it lapsed
My insurance company sent a final notice and I had five days to pay $850. The request took minutes and a lender offered a 12-month loan the same day. I paid the premium on time and avoided a lapse that would have raised my rates.
Car insuranceSolid for tires before winter
I needed four all-weather tires before the first snow, about $1,050 installed. The loan offer was fair for my credit and the process was simple. I knocked off one star because my first offer expired before I reviewed it, so check your email promptly.
Tires & brakesKind and straightforward
I was nervous because my credit took a hit last year after medical bills. A lender still made me an offer for a $1,200 catalytic converter replacement. The rate was not low, but it was fair, and I appreciate that nobody pressured me to borrow more.
InspectionFast help after a fender bender
A minor fender bender left my bumper cracked and a headlight broken, about $1,100 to fix. I decided not to file a claim to avoid a premium increase and used a short personal loan instead. Comparing offers took ten minutes and funds came the next business day.
CollisionWorked, but slower than hoped
My lender needed to verify my employment and my HR department was slow to respond, so funding took four business days. The loan itself was fine for my $900 brake and tire job. Just be aware that the timing depends on more than the service.
Tires & brakesHonest about alternatives
The site suggested checking whether my repair shop offered a payment plan before borrowing, which I respected. Mine did not, so I compared loans for my $2,000 transmission repair. The offer I chose had no prepayment penalty and a clear payment schedule.
Auto repairSaved a stressful week
Dead battery Monday, failed alternator Wednesday. The shop quoted about $750 for both. I compared offers that night and accepted a 12-month loan with autopay. Everything was fixed by Friday and I could get my kids to school again without borrowing a car.
Auto repairGood rates for good credit
With a credit score in the mid 700s, I received a much lower APR than I expected for a $3,000 collision repair I paid out of pocket. The only downside was that one offer required a longer term than I wanted, but I found another that matched.
CollisionInspection repair handled
My car failed state inspection for worn brakes and a cracked windshield. The total was about $1,100. I compared loan offers on a Sunday, accepted one Monday morning and passed reinspection that Thursday. Easy, clear and no pushy sales tactics.
InspectionMixed feelings on cost
The process was smooth, but I paid more in interest than I would have liked on my $1,000 loan. Looking back, I could have asked the shop for a payment plan first. The service was honest; I just should have compared every option before borrowing.
Car insuranceClear answers to my questions
I asked whether checking offers would hurt my credit. Support explained that many lenders start with a soft check and only run a hard check when you formally accept. That helped me compare without worry before using a loan for my $1,350 SR-22 policy and premium.
Car insuranceTires and brakes in one visit
My mechanic said I needed new tires and rear brakes, about $1,300 total. I compared offers in one sitting, chose an 18-month loan and had everything done in a single shop visit. The fixed payment is easy to plan around each month.
Tires & brakes