A common guideline is about 10% down on a used vehicle and up to 20% on a new one, but the real answer is: enough to cover the taxes and fees and keep your loan-to-value in healthy territory. Every dollar down works for you four different ways.
Because every lender caps how much of a deal it will finance relative to the vehicle's value, some combinations simply do not work at zero down: the numbers land outside lender parameters. Adding down payment or trade equity is usually the fix, and it is exactly what a Broker Black quote will tell you when a combination will not fly.
Trade-in equity counts the same as cash here. If your trade is worth more than you owe on it, that difference is a down payment you already own. Check yours with our trade-in estimator.
Often, yes: on many deals it roughly covers taxes and fees so you are financing about the price of the car. More helps, especially on longer terms or older vehicles.
Yes. Positive equity in a trade (value above payoff) works exactly like cash down. In many states it also reduces the sales tax you pay; see our trade-in tax guide.
Keep an emergency cushion. A slightly larger loan beats being cash-broke the week after buying, especially since most auto loans let you pay extra principal any time.