Auto credit hurdles finally eased up in September, ending a five-month streak of tightened access.

Most channels and all lender types loosened up last month, according to Cox Automotive, whose All-Loans Index rose about half a percentage point to 92.8, though that’s down 2% year-over-year.

Auto credit was a little easier to come by due to decreased average loan rates, increased subprime share, and longer loan terms, Cox said.

Independent used sales was the only segment to stay buttoned up. Compared to a year earlier, credit for certified preowned vehicle purchases was tightest.

The overall greater accessibility was led by credit unions and banks, said Cox, which noted that auto loan rates have fallen 113 basis points since March.

Signs of less auto consumer stability nevertheless shone through in September, when loans with negative equity rose for the fourth straight month, up about 2% year-over-year. And loans with terms longer than 72 months were up 80 basis points after dropping in August.

Several consumer confidence indices that Cox tracks showed mixed results for the month.

DIG DEEPER: Dealers Wary of AI in Auto Finance