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September 2026 Auto Finance Industry Insights:
Mainstream Inventory Continues to Power Used Vehicle Financing
September financing activity remained concentrated around practical, recognizable used vehicles that balance consumer affordability with dependable collateral value.
Chevrolet continued to lead the market, followed by Ford, Jeep, and Nissan. Together, these mainstream brands represented a significant share of September’s financed vehicle activity.
At the model level, the Chevrolet Malibu remained the most frequently financed vehicle, while trucks and SUVs maintained a strong presence across the portfolio. The Grand Cherokee, Silverado 1500, Equinox, F-150, and Charger were also among September’s leading models.
The typical financed vehicle was a 2020 model with approximately 95,000 miles. This indicates that auto lenders continue to support mature used inventory when vehicles are properly valued and financing structures remain aligned with borrower risk.
Market Snapshot: September 2026 Auto Finance Metrics
September’s data reflects continued demand for affordable used vehicles, longer financing terms, and payment-conscious deal structures.
Key September Takeaways
- Mainstream brands continued to capture the majority of financing activity.
- Vehicles from model years 2018 through 2022 represented approximately 63% of the financed portfolio.
- Average vehicle mileage reached roughly 95,000 miles, demonstrating continued lender acceptance of properly structured higher-mileage inventory.
- Credit rating had a very strong relationship with advance rate.
- Vehicle price and value had a moderate relationship with APR, with higher-value vehicles generally receiving lower rates.
- Vehicle mileage had a strong relationship with contract terms. Lower-mileage vehicles generally receiving longer terms.
Metric | Industry Averages |
|---|---|
Top Make/Model | Chevrolet Malibu |
Sale Price | $20,227 |
Vehicle Value | $17,982 |
Amount Financed | $21,510 |
Cash Down | $2,556 |
APR | 22.5% |
Advance Rate | 88.5% |
LTV | 123.7% |
Contract Term | 67 Months |
Odometer | 95,055 Miles |
Monthly Payment | $561 |
Chevrolet Extends Its Lead in Financing Activity
Chevrolet remained the leading make in September, followed by Ford, Jeep, and Nissan. Hyundai, Kia, GMC, Toyota, Honda, and Dodge also ranked among the most frequently financed brands.
These leading makes represented approximately 75% of September’s financed vehicles. Their continued strength demonstrates the importance of stocking familiar vehicles that offer accessible pricing, broad consumer appeal, and predictable collateral performance.
September’s leading models reflect a diverse mix of affordable sedans, full-size trucks, and practical SUVs.
Leading Makes | Leading Models |
|---|---|
|
|
Higher-Mileage Vehicles Continue to Receive Financing
September’s financed vehicles averaged 95,055 miles, with a median odometer reading of 98,019 miles. Half of the vehicles carried between approximately 74,955 and 116,481 miles.
These results demonstrate that mileage alone does not prevent a vehicle from receiving financing. Proper pricing, acceptable collateral value, borrower quality, and a well-structured contract can continue to support financing opportunities for higher-mileage inventory.
Odometer Metric | Miles |
|---|---|
Average | 95,055 |
Median | 98,019 |
25th Percentile | 74,955 |
75th Percentile | 116,481 |
Minimum | 6,212 |
Maximum | 177,722 |
Credit Quality Remains the Primary Driver of Advance Rates
September’s data showed a very strong relationship between contract rating and advance rate. In simple terms, stronger credit ratings generally resulted in higher advance rates.
This was the clearest relationship identified in the September data and confirms that borrower risk remains central to advance-rate decisions.
For dealers, this highlights the importance of submitting complete and accurate application information. Stronger borrower profiles can support more favorable advance structures and help create financing packages that work for both the customer and the auto lender.
Vehicle Value Continues to Influence APR
September’s data showed a moderate relationship between vehicle value and APR. In general, higher-value and higher-priced vehicles received lower interest rates.
The amount financed showed a similar pattern, although the relationship was slightly weaker. Larger financed amounts generally aligned with lower rates, but several other borrower and collateral factors likely influenced the final APR.
The results reinforce the importance of matching each vehicle and customer with an auto lender whose programs align with the complete risk profile.
What September’s Trends Mean for Auto Dealers
September’s results point to a stable used vehicle financing environment driven by mainstream inventory, mature collateral, and disciplined underwriting. Dealers can use these trends to strengthen performance by:
Maintaining a balanced mix of affordable sedans, trucks, and SUVs.
Prioritizing high-demand makes such as Chevrolet, Ford, Jeep, and Nissan.
Focusing acquisition efforts on the 2018–2022 model-year range.
Pricing higher-mileage inventory appropriately.
Matching vehicle age and mileage with realistic loan terms.
Submitting complete and accurate credit applications.
Aligning customers and vehicles with the appropriate auto lender programs.
Structuring payments around consumer affordability.
FAQs
Which vehicle make led financing activity in September 2026?
Chevrolet led September’s financing activity, followed by Ford, Jeep, and Nissan.
What was the most frequently financed vehicle model?
The Chevrolet Malibu was the most frequently financed model, followed by the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
What model years performed best?
Vehicles from model years 2018 through 2022 represented approximately 63% of the financed portfolio, with 2020 vehicles leading the market.
Are auto lenders financing vehicles with more than 100,000 miles?
Yes. The median financed vehicle had approximately 98,000 miles, and one-quarter of financed vehicles had more than approximately 116,000 miles.
What was the average amount financed?
The average amount financed was approximately $21,510, with an average monthly payment of $561.
How does credit quality affect advance rates?
Credit quality had a very strong relationship with advance rates. Stronger contract ratings generally resulted in higher advance rates.
Do higher-value vehicles receive lower interest rates?
September’s data showed a moderate relationship between vehicle value and APR. Higher-value vehicles generally received lower interest rates, although borrower quality, down payment, collateral condition, and lender program also influenced the final rate.
How does mileage affect loan terms?
Mileage had a strong relationship with loan term. Lower-mileage vehicles were generally more likely to receive longer terms, while older, higher-mileage vehicles were more likely to receive shorter terms.