Dealertrack Credit Availability Index, August 2026: Record Share of Auto Loans Over 72 Months

Longer auto loans hit a record share—what Texas buyers should know

Cox Automotive’s August 2026 Dealertrack Credit Availability Index (published Sept. 10) shows auto credit access at its highest level since November 2015. The All-Loans Index rose to 105.3. Approval rates moved to 73.9%. Average contract rate was 10.99%.

The part that matters most for Houston and East Texas shoppers is how access improved: the share of loans longer than 72 months reached a dataset record 31.3%, and loans with negative equity rose to 57.4%. Down payments held at 13%—matching the lowest share since October 2022. Cox is explicit that the index rose largely through loan structure, not cheaper borrowing.

A lower monthly payment can still cost more

Stretching a term can make a payment look manageable while increasing total interest and the months you stay underwater if the vehicle depreciates faster than the balance falls. Rolling negative equity into a new loan can do the same. Those are national Dealertrack patterns—not your personal quote, APR, or approval outcome.

Useful questions before you fall in love with a payment:

1. What is the term? Count total months, not just the monthly number.

2. Is trade equity real? Ask what happens if appraisal comes in lower than the payoff.

3. What documentation will lenders need? Income, housing cost, and existing balances matter more than a national index.

4. Which vehicle are we talking about? Stock, price, and condition change the math—this site lists live inventory; this post invents none.

You do not need to memorize credit-index jargon. You do need a clear picture of total cost and a soft standing conversation before you stretch a term just to make the payment number fit.

Soft first step—no credit check yet

Steven Wilson at Kramer Autoplex helps people in Houston and East Texas get financed with good credit, bad credit, thin credit, or no credit by shopping a wide lender network. Same-day standing answers are typical once the fuller conversation is underway—not a guarantee of approval and not a promised payment. The first step is name plus phone or email (~20 seconds) with no credit check yet. The full application, which does involve a credit check, comes after. Free delivery is available anywhere in Texas; nationwide delivery is available outside Texas.

If August’s long-term loan headlines made you pause, use the pause to get clarity on where you stand instead of guessing from national averages.

Takeaway: Record long-term loan share is a caution to understand total cost—not a reason to skip a soft standing conversation.

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