Disclosure: Some links are sponsored. We may earn a commission if you apply through them and are approved, at no extra cost to you. This is general information, not financial advice.
Last reviewed: by the Smart Savings Guides editorial team. How we research and update articles.
Not financial advice: this is general education. Your situation is different, so read every product's full terms and consider free help from a nonprofit credit counselor before taking on new credit.
| Regular secured card | Yendo (car-secured) | |
|---|---|---|
| Collateral | Cash deposit, refundable | Lien on your vehicle's title |
| Upfront cash | The deposit, often a few hundred dollars | No deposit; lien fee up to $25 added to your balance |
| Credit limit | Usually equals the deposit | $450 to $10,000, based on vehicle, income and credit |
| Worst case if you default | You lose the deposit, plus damage to your credit | Damage to your credit, and as a last resort the lender can act on its lien on your car |
| Annual fee | Many charge none | $40 (Auto Card, per Yendo's FAQ) |
| APR | Varies by card; often high | 24.88% to 35.88% fixed for purchases |
| Credit reporting | Most report to all three bureaus (check) | All three bureaus, monthly |
| Selling your car | No effect | Must settle the account first |
| Availability | Nationwide from many issuers | Limited states (see below) |
Thinking about Yendo?
Sponsored link: we may earn a commission if you apply and are approved through it, at no extra cost to you.
Check if you qualify for Yendo
Yendo says checking your offer takes about a minute and doesn't affect your credit score; if you accept an offer, it runs a full credit check, which can. Your car becomes collateral (a lien on your title), so if you don't repay you could lose it. Purchase APR 24.88% to 35.88%.
US only, and not available in every state: through our link it isn't offered in AK, HI, IA, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MO, NJ, NY, OK, SD or WI (details).
Choose a regular secured card if...
- You can spare a few hundred dollars for a deposit.
- A small limit is enough to build history.
- You rely on your car for work and don't want it tied to a credit line.
Consider Yendo if...
- You own a car with equity, and it's registered in an eligible state.
- You need a higher limit than a deposit would give you, without tying up cash.
- You're confident you'll pay on time and keep balances manageable.
Either way, the credit-building comes from the same habits: on-time payments and low utilization. See utilization explained.
The big risk: your car is collateral. Yendo records a lien on your title while the account is open. You can't sell or trade the vehicle without settling the account first. Yendo says that if you fall behind it will first try to work out a plan, but after written notice and as a last resort it may act as lienholder to recover the balance, which can mean losing the vehicle. If you depend on your car for work, weigh that seriously.
Sources
Official sources this article relies on, checked October 15, 2026. Rules and prices change, so confirm details at the source.
Considering a car-secured card? Yendo
We may earn a commission if you apply through these links and are approved, at no extra cost to you. This is a sponsored link.
Yendo is a credit card secured by your car's value instead of a cash deposit. Limits run from $450 to $10,000, the purchase APR is 24.88% to 35.88%, and it reports to all three credit bureaus. The trade-off: Yendo places a lien on your title, so if you don't repay, your vehicle is at risk. Checking your offer doesn't affect your credit score. Read our full Yendo review.
Check if you qualify for Yendo
Yendo says checking your offer doesn't affect your credit score; accepting an offer triggers a full credit check. Your car is collateral.
Through our link, Yendo isn't available to residents of Alaska, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, South Dakota or Wisconsin. Yendo's own locations page also doesn't list Delaware, Vermont or Washington, D.C. The vehicle has to be registered in a state Yendo serves.
Also compare a car-secured card with a car title loan.
More guides
- Thin or No Credit File? How to Start Building Credit
- Secured Credit Cards Explained: How They Work and How to Graduate
- How Credit-Builder Loans Work (and When They Make Sense)
- Credit Utilization Explained: The 30% Rule and What Really Matters
- How to Check Your Credit Report for Free on AnnualCreditReport.com
- Yendo Credit Card Review: A Card Secured by Your Car
- Can You Get a Credit Card With No Credit History?
- Car Title Loan vs a Car-Secured Credit Card: Key Differences
- How Long Does It Take to Build Credit From Scratch?