Auto Loan Glossary at Automotive.com
»Locate a Dealer»Find a Used Car»Get Financing

Glossary of Auto Loan Terms

Shopping is always easier when you know what you’re buying. Automotive.com’s auto loan glossary can help you cut through the cornucopia of terms out there. Reading through this will endow you with such comprehensive coverage of terminology that you’ll ...     read more

Common Auto Loan Terms

Grantee

That party in the deed who is the buyer or recipient.

Loan-To-Value Ratio

The relationship between the amount of the mortgage loan and the appraised value of the property expressed as a percentage.

Credit-related Insurance

Health, life, or accident insurance designed to pay the outstanding balance of debt.

Index-Term

A published interest rate against which lenders measure the difference between the current interest rate on an adjustable rate mortgage and that earned by other investments (such as one- three-, and five-year U.S. Treasury Security yields, the monthly average interest rate on loans closed by savings and loan institutions, and the monthly average Costs-of-Funds incurred by savings and loans), which is then used to adjust the interest rate on an adjustable mortgage up or down.

Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

The cost of credit as a yearly rate. The percentage results from an equation considering the total amount financed, the finance charges, and the term of the loan. Usually not the same as the interest rate.

Service Charge

A component of some finance charges, such as the fee for triggering an overdraft checking account into use.

MSRP

Stands for Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. It represents the manufacturer's recommended selling price for a vehicle and each of its options.

Credit Card

Any card used from time to time to borrow money or buy goods or services on credit.

Dealership

 A company authorized by a manufacturer to sell that manufacturer's products.

Trustee

A party who is given legal responsibility to hold property in the best interest of or "for the benefit of" another. The trustee is one placed in a position of responsibility for another, a responsibility enforceable in a court of law.

FREE AUTO LOAN QUOTE

Free Auto Rate Quote
Research your financing options with a free quote
Enter your zip to get local financing rates