5 Star Car Title Loans offers vehicle-secured loans from $100–$50,000 with same-day funding. Borrowers keep their car while repaying. Licensed in ~18 states since 2012.
Editorially reviewed by Harvey Brooks
5 Star Car Title Loans is a licensed consumer lending company founded in 2012 and headquartered in San Bernardino, California. Over its 14-year operating history, the company reports having funded more than 255,000 loans across multiple states. It serves customers in approximately 18 states including California, Florida, Texas, Ohio, Tennessee, and others, through a combination of physical branch locations and an online application process.
The company's primary product is the auto title loan: a secured loan where the borrower's vehicle title is used as collateral while the borrower retains use of the car throughout the repayment period. Loan amounts range from $100 to $50,000, with the upper end depending on vehicle equity. In addition to standard title loans, 5 Star offers installment loans with fixed monthly payments and repayment terms of up to 24 months, and a same-day loan product intended for urgent needs such as rent, medical bills, or car repairs. The company also accepts motorcycle titles and semi-truck titles as collateral.
What sets 5 Star apart from many short-term lenders is the combination of loan size (up to $50,000 is unusually high for a title lender), a no-prepayment-penalty policy, and a stated commitment to transparent upfront terms with no hidden fees. The company markets itself as accessible to borrowers with imperfect credit, as approval is primarily based on vehicle equity rather than credit score. Applications can be completed online or in person, with a stated approval decision within minutes and same-day funding for qualified applicants.
Honestly assessed, 5 Star Car Title Loans fills a real gap for cash-strapped borrowers who own vehicles but have poor credit and limited options. However, the website does not disclose interest rates or APR ranges — a significant omission given that title loans typically carry triple-digit APRs. The vehicle serves as collateral, meaning default can result in repossession. The 4.7-star rating on their own site is based on only 11 reviews, which is too small a sample to be statistically meaningful. Borrowers should request full loan terms including APR and total repayment cost before signing.
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 892 E Little Creek Rd, Norfolk, VA 23518. They hold a NR rating with the Better Business Bureau.
CreditDoc Diagnosis
5 Star Car Title Loans is best suited for vehicle owners with damaged credit who need fast cash — particularly those who need more than a few hundred dollars and can access one of their ~18 state locations. The central caveat is that the website never discloses APR or total cost of credit, which is a serious red flag; title loans routinely carry APRs of 100–300%, and borrowers risk losing their vehicle if they cannot repay.
ACE Cash Express offers small emergency loans, title loans, check cashing, and financial services with multiple locations and same-day funding options.
Best for: Consumers needing immediate cash access and willing to visit a physical location, People who need check cashing, bill payment, or money transfer services in addition to emergency loans
LoanMax Title Loans offers cash loans up to $10,000 secured by your car title, with Michigan locations and minimal paperwork since 1990.
Best for: Vehicle owners with a clear, paid-off title who need cash quickly and have no other credit options, Borrowers in Southgate or southeast Michigan who prefer in-person loan transactions
LoanMax provides auto title loans up to $10,000 with same-day funding, requiring only a vehicle, photo ID, and clear title. Founded in 1990, they operate multiple locations across the U.S. including Michigan.
Best for: Vehicle owners facing genuine emergencies (medical, eviction, utilities) who can repay within the loan term, Borrowers with poor credit unable to qualify for personal loans or credit cards who own paid-off or mostly-paid vehicles
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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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