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Negative equity auto loan payment calculator

Updated on Aug. 06, 2025

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How to use this calculator 

Bankrate's negative equity calculator can be used to estimate your car payments if you choose to roll your negative equity into another loan. 

  1. Rollover amount

    This is the amount remaining on your current loan that will be rolled over into your new loan.

  2. Amount borrowed on new auto

    This is the amount of money you are borrowing with your new loan and may be higher than the sale price if you choose to finance dealer add-ons, taxes and other fees.

  3. Loan term

    Enter your new loan's term as either years or months. Auto loans typically last between 36 and 84 months.

  4. Interest rate per year

    Enter your auto loan rate or annual percentage rate (APR) to estimate interest costs.

  5. Add extra payments (optional)

    You can choose to add extra money to your monthly payment, add an extra yearly payment or add a one-time extra payment. Once you've entered your information, click “Apply extra payments.”

  6. Calculate

    Select “Calculate” to see your estimated monthly payments and the estimated total principal and total interest you will pay.

  7. Find loans

    Select “Find loans” to be matched with potential lenders that have been vetted by Bankrate's experts. 

For a month-by-month breakdown of the interest you will pay, you can choose to view the amortization schedule as well. This will highlight your estimated payoff date based on your start date, loan terms and any additional payments you choose to make.

What is negative equity? 

Negative equity — also referred to as being “upside down” — is when you owe more on your auto loan than the vehicle is worth. While it isn’t the worst-case scenario, it can make trading in your car and future auto loan approval a challenge.

There are a few common ways that borrowers become upside down on their car loan, including:

  • Financing without a substantial down payment.
  • Signing off on too long of a repayment term.
  • Purchasing a luxury vehicle outside your budget.
  • Agreeing to borrow at a steep interest rate.

Use this calculator to understand how the amount you still owe will affect the total cost of your new loan. Consider making extra payments, increasing your down payment or even refinancing your loan before you buy something new in order to reduce the amount of extra interest you will pay.