5 Star Car Title Loans offers vehicle-secured loans from $100 to $50,000 with same-day funding. Borrowers keep their car while repaying. Active since 2012.
Editorially reviewed by Harvey Brooks
5 Star Car Title Loans is a licensed consumer lender headquartered in San Bernardino, California, operating since 2012. The company reports having funded over 255,000 loans and currently serves customers across approximately 18 states, including California, Florida, Texas, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and several others. Its primary product is the car title loan — a secured short-term loan that uses the borrower's vehicle title as collateral while the borrower retains use of the vehicle.
The company offers three main products: vehicle title loans with amounts ranging from $100 to $50,000, installment loans with fixed monthly payments over repayment periods of up to 24 months, and same-day loans designed for urgent needs such as rent, bills, or car repairs. Applications can be submitted online or in person. The company also accepts alternative collateral such as motorcycle titles and semi-truck titles. A free pre-qualification is available without committing to a loan.
What distinguishes 5 Star Car Title Loans from payday lenders is the collateral-based structure: because loans are secured by a vehicle title, the company can approve borrowers with imperfect or no credit history, and can offer larger amounts than unsecured emergency loan products. The company advertises no prepayment penalties, transparent upfront terms, and no hidden fees. Security infrastructure includes 256-bit SSL and TLS encryption. The company holds a 4.7-star rating based on 11 published reviews on its own website.
Honestly assessed, 5 Star Car Title Loans fills a real need for cash-strapped borrowers who own a vehicle outright or have equity in one, but the product category carries significant risk. Car title loans are among the highest-cost consumer credit products available — industry APRs typically range from 100% to over 300% — and the company does not disclose rates or APRs on its public-facing website. Borrowers who cannot repay risk losing their primary vehicle. The 11-review sample is very thin for a company claiming 255,000+ loans funded, and geographic availability is limited to roughly 12 named states. Borrowers with any access to credit union PALs, personal loans, or employer advances should exhaust those options first.
See which lenders actually approve borrowers with bad credit. We compared APRs, fees, minimum scores, and funding speed.
Yes. 5 Star Car Title Loans is a registered company headquartered in 2567 E 54th St, Huntington Park, CA 90255. They hold a NR rating with the Better Business Bureau.
CreditDoc Diagnosis
5 Star Car Title Loans is best suited for vehicle owners with poor credit who need fast cash and have exhausted lower-cost options — the keep-your-car model and same-day funding are genuine advantages. The main caveat is that car title loans are among the most expensive consumer credit products available, and this company does not disclose its rates publicly, so borrowers must request terms before committing.
Pacific Pawn Shop in Huntington Park, CA offers collateral-based pawn loans and buys/sells jewelry, power tools, and more. Open 7 days a week.
Best for: LA County residents needing same-day cash against jewelry or tools without a credit check, Bargain shoppers looking for discounted secondhand jewelry or power tools locally
PLS Check Cashers is a multi-state financial services network offering check cashing, money orders, bill payment, and ancillary services like notary and fax at 24/7 locations.
Best for: Unbanked or underbanked consumers seeking immediate check cashing and money transfer services outside standard banking hours, Drivers and vehicle owners needing integrated DMV services (registration, renewals, title transfers) combined with financial services
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Read guide →New to credit and lending? Here are the key terms used on this page, explained in plain language with real-number examples.
The total yearly cost of borrowing money, including the interest rate plus any fees the lender charges. Think of it as the 'true price tag' on a loan.
Lenders must show APR by law (Truth in Lending Act) because the interest rate alone can hide fees. Comparing APR across lenders is the most reliable way to find the cheapest loan.
Example
You borrow $10,000 at 6% interest for 3 years, but there's a $300 origination fee. The interest rate is 6%, but the APR is 6.9% because it includes that fee. You'd pay $304/month and $946 total in interest.
Interest calculated on both the original amount borrowed AND the interest that's already been added. It's 'interest on interest' — and it makes debt grow faster than you'd expect.
Credit cards and many loans use compound interest. If you only make minimum payments, compound interest is why a $3,000 balance can take 15 years to pay off.
Example
You owe $1,000 at 20% annual interest compounded monthly. After month 1 you owe $1,016.67. Month 2, interest is charged on $1,016.67 (not $1,000), so you owe $1,033.61. After 1 year without payments: $1,219.
A special APR calculation used for military servicemembers that includes ALL costs — fees, insurance, and add-ons — capped at 36% by federal law.
The Military Lending Act protects active-duty servicemembers and their families from predatory lending. Any lender charging above 36% MAPR to military is breaking federal law.
Example
A payday lender charges a $15 fee per $100 borrowed for 2 weeks. For civilians, that's technically legal in some states. For military: that works out to 391% MAPR — illegal under the MLA.
The maximum interest rate a lender can legally charge in a particular state. Charging above this rate is called 'usury' and is illegal.
Usury laws are your main legal protection against predatory interest rates. But beware: some states have weak or no usury caps, and federal banks can sometimes override state limits.
Example
New York caps interest at 16% for most consumer loans (25% is criminal usury). If a lender tries to charge you 30% in NY, that loan is unenforceable — you could fight it in court.
An asset you pledge to the lender as security for a loan. If you stop paying, the lender can seize and sell that asset to recover their money.
Secured loans (with collateral) have lower interest rates because the lender has less risk. But you could lose your home, car, or savings if you default.
Example
A mortgage uses your house as collateral. A car loan uses your vehicle. A title loan uses your car title. If you miss payments, the lender can foreclose or repossess.
A charge added to your account when you miss a payment deadline. Most credit cards charge $29-$41 per late payment, and many loans have similar penalties.
The fee itself hurts, but the real damage is to your credit score. A payment 30+ days late stays on your credit report for 7 years and can drop your score 60-110 points.
Example
Your credit card payment of $150 is due March 1. You pay on March 18. The bank charges a $39 late fee. If it's 30+ days late, it gets reported to credit bureaus and your 760 score drops to 670.
A fee your bank charges when a payment bounces because there isn't enough money in your account. Also called a 'bounced check fee' or 'returned payment fee.'
NSF fees hit you twice — your bank charges you AND the company you were trying to pay may charge their own returned payment fee. That's $50-70 for one missed payment.
Example
Your auto-pay tries to pull $350 for rent, but you only have $280 in checking. Your bank charges $35 NSF fee. Your landlord charges $25 returned payment fee. Total damage: $60 in fees.
The practice of charging interest rates higher than what the law allows. Usury laws set state-specific caps on how much lenders can charge.
If a lender charges usurious rates, the loan may be void, penalties can be reduced, or you may be entitled to damages. Know your state's limits.
Example
Your state caps consumer loans at 24% APR. An online lender charges you 36%. That loan may be unenforceable, and you might only need to repay the principal — no interest or fees.
Using your credit card to get cash from an ATM or bank. It's one of the most expensive ways to borrow — higher interest rate, immediate interest accrual (no grace period), and an upfront fee.
Cash advances are a debt trap: 25-30% APR with no grace period plus a 3-5% fee. Interest starts the second you withdraw, not at the end of the billing cycle.
Example
You take a $500 cash advance. Fee: $25 (5%). Interest: 28% APR starting immediately. After 30 days, you owe $536.67. After 6 months of minimum payments, you've paid $85 in interest on $500.
Want to learn more? Read our Financial Wellness Guides for in-depth explanations and practical advice.
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