What Fast Track Auto Mall Is

Fast Track Auto Mall is a used car dealership group with locations across multiple states. They buy, recondition, and sell used vehicles to individual buyers, and they also offer in-house financing for people who cannot get a loan through a bank or credit union. The dealership operates physical lots where you can walk around, inspect cars, and take test drives.

Unlike a private seller or a small independent lot, Fast Track is a larger operation with multiple locations and standardized processes. That means the experience is more consistent from one lot to another, but it also means you are dealing with a business model built around volume and financing profit, not just car sales. Understanding how that works helps you make a better decision about whether to buy there and what price to negotiate.

Key Takeaways

  • Fast Track Auto Mall sells used cars and offers in-house financing, which means they make money on both the vehicle sale and the loan interest.
  • Their financing is available to people with poor credit or no credit history, but the interest rates are significantly higher than bank loans.
  • You can inspect and test drive vehicles on the lot, and the dealership handles title transfer and registration paperwork.
  • Prices at Fast Track are typically higher than private-party sales because the dealership has overhead costs and builds in financing profit.
  • Bringing a trusted mechanic to inspect a vehicle before you buy is the single most important step to avoid costly repairs later.

How In-House Financing Works at Fast Track

In-house financing means Fast Track lends you the money to buy the car directly, rather than referring you to a bank. This is their main competitive advantage for buyers with damaged credit, recent bankruptcy, or no credit history at all. The dealership approves the loan based on your income and down payment, not your credit score alone.

The catch is interest rate. A bank might charge 6 to 8 percent on a used car loan for someone with fair credit; Fast Track typically charges 15 to 25 percent or higher, depending on how much risk they perceive. That means a $10,000 loan at 20 percent over five years costs you roughly $2,600 in interest alone. Over the life of the loan, you pay significantly more than you would through traditional financing.

Fast Track makes most of its profit from the financing side, not the car sale. This is why they can afford to work with buyers other lenders reject—they are betting on collecting years of monthly payments at high interest rates. It also means the dealership has financial incentive to sell you a car that will last long enough for you to finish paying for it, but not necessarily one that will run reliably for years after.

What to Inspect Before You Buy

Every used car carries unknown history, and Fast Track's reconditioning process is not the same as a certified pre-owned program from a manufacturer. Reconditioning usually means the car has been cleaned, minor cosmetic repairs have been made, and fluids have been topped off. It does not mean the engine, transmission, or suspension have been inspected by a technician or that major repairs have been done.

Before you hand over money, take the car to an independent mechanic—not a Fast Track employee, not a friend who knows cars, but a shop you pay to do a full pre-purchase inspection. They will put the car on a lift, check the undercarriage, run a compression test on the engine, inspect the transmission fluid, and look for signs of accident damage or major repairs. This inspection costs $100 to $200 and can save you thousands by revealing problems the dealership did not disclose.

Check the vehicle history report yourself using the VIN (vehicle identification number). Services like Carfax and AutoCheck show accident history, title problems, odometer readings from service records, and whether the car was ever reported as a lemon or flood-damaged. Fast Track may provide a report, but order your own so you control the source. A clean title and no major accident history are baseline requirements.

Pricing and Negotiation at Fast Track

Fast Track prices are higher than private-party listings for the same make, model, and mileage. This is normal for any dealership—they have lot costs, staff, utilities, and advertising expenses that a private seller does not. The question is whether the price premium is reasonable for the convenience and the fact that you can return to the dealership if something goes wrong when ready after purchase.

The sticker price is not the final price. Fast Track expects negotiation, especially on older vehicles or cars with higher mileage. Research the market value of the specific car using Kelley Blue Book or NADA Guides, then make an offer 5 to 10 percent below the asking price. The dealership will likely counter, and you will meet somewhere in the middle. Do not let the financing conversation distract you from the purchase price—negotiate those separately.

Be aware that Fast Track may use the financing offer to pressure you into a higher purchase price. They might say, "We can get you approved at $12,000 with $2,000 down," when the car is actually worth $10,500. The monthly payment sounds manageable, but you are paying interest on an inflated amount. Agree on the car price first, then discuss financing terms.

Understanding the Loan Contract

Fast Track will present you with a loan agreement that spells out the interest rate, term (usually 48 to 72 months), monthly payment, and total amount you will pay. Read this document carefully before signing. The interest rate should match what was quoted to you; the term should be what you agreed to; and the payment should be mathematically correct for those numbers.

Check whether the contract includes a warranty or may provide period. Some Fast Track locations offer 30 to 90 days of coverage on major components like the engine and transmission. This is not the same as a manufacturer's warranty—it is limited and usually does not cover wear items like brakes or batteries. Know what is and is not covered before you sign.

Ask about the payment schedule and what happens if you miss a payment. Fast Track will repossess the car if you fall behind, and repossession damages your credit and leaves you without a vehicle while you still owe money. Understand the grace period (usually 10 days) and whether late fees explore. If you think cash flow will be tight, do not take on a loan you cannot afford to pay on time every month.

Title Transfer and Registration

Fast Track handles the paperwork to transfer the title from their name to yours and to register the vehicle with your state's motor vehicle department. You will need to provide proof of identity, proof of residence (usually a utility bill), and proof of insurance. Some states require an emissions test or safety inspection before registration; Fast Track will tell you what your state requires.

The dealership will give you temporary tags or a temporary registration document so you can drive the car legally while the permanent title and registration are being processed. This usually takes one to three weeks. Do not drive the car without proof of insurance, even with temporary tags—you are legally required to carry insurance from the moment you take possession.

Keep all paperwork from the sale: the bill of sale, the loan contract, the title transfer documents, and the registration. These are your proof of ownership and your record of the transaction. If a problem arises later—a lien that was not paid off, a title issue, or a dispute about what was promised—these documents are your protection.

What Happens If Something Goes Wrong

If the car breaks down shortly after purchase, your recourse depends on what the contract says and what your state's lemon law covers. Most states have used car lemon laws that require dealers to repair or replace a vehicle if it fails within a certain period (often 30 days) and the defect is not the buyer's fault. Fast Track's warranty, if they offered one, may cover some repairs during that window.

If the problem is outside the warranty period or not covered, you are responsible for the repair cost. This is why the pre-purchase inspection is so important—it catches problems before you own the car. If you skipped that step and a major repair comes due, you cannot go back to Fast Track and demand they fix it for free unless they misrepresented the car's condition in writing.

If you believe Fast Track committed fraud—for example, they rolled back the odometer or hid accident damage—you can file a complaint with your state's attorney general or consumer protection office. You can also pursue a civil lawsuit, though that is expensive and time-consuming. Prevention through inspection and documentation is far more practical than trying to recover money after a bad purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I return a car to Fast Track if I change my mind?

Fast Track's return policy varies by location and state. Some locations offer a short window (often 3 to 7 days) to return a vehicle if you are unhappy, but this is not may provide. Read the contract carefully—it will state whether a return is possible and under what conditions. Once you sign and drive the car off the lot, you own it, and the dealership is not obligated to take it back unless state law requires it.

What credit score do I need to get approved for Fast Track financing?

Fast Track does not require a minimum credit score. They work with people who have poor credit, no credit history, recent bankruptcy, or collections accounts. Approval depends more on your income and down payment than your credit score. However, the worse your credit, the higher your interest rate will be.

Is the warranty at Fast Track the same as a manufacturer's warranty?

No. A manufacturer's warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship for a set period (often three years or 36,000 miles). Fast Track's warranty, if offered, is a limited dealer warranty that covers only specific components for a shorter time. It is not the same protection, and it does not transfer if you sell the car to someone else.

What if I want to pay off the loan early?

Most Fast Track loan contracts allow early payoff without penalty, but confirm this in your contract before signing. Paying off early saves you interest and gets you out of debt faster. However, some dealers use prepayment penalties to discourage this, so read the fine print.

How do I know if the price Fast Track is asking is fair?

Use Kelley Blue Book or NADA Guides to look up the market value of the specific car based on its make, model, year, mileage, and condition. Fast Track's price will typically be 10 to 20 percent higher than a private-party sale because of dealership overhead. Compare that premium to the convenience and any warranty offered. If the price is more than 20 percent above market, negotiate or shop elsewhere.