How to Finance a Car with Bad Credit - Here are 9 things to Know | EBC (2024)

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You have your eyes set on the ravishing red Mustang and you are obsessed with its curves. The curves like no other, curves which could beat JLO in her prime and you can’t contain your frenzy but obsess about your dream wagon.

Every Dream Comes With a Price

Spoiler Alert: Life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows (sounds familiar?), your credit score could soon burst your bubble. In that case, you would come full circle and get stuck on the same paradoxical question – how to finance a car with bad credit?

There is Always a Silver Lining

Well, as per the widely held conviction among the masses, you are forbidden to dream of having a new car if you have a low credit score. There is some truth to this statement, but that’s not the apparent truth because there is a silver lining (there always is no matter what begets you), and you can always finance a car with bad credit score, provided you are willing to do some hard work before going for financing a car.

Read more:Guide to Getting the Best Auto Loans

You have to bear in mind that the whole auto industry works on trust. Lenders trust borrowers with high credit scores way more than they trust borrowers with poor credit score because there is no denying that a person’s credit score is a good reflection of how he/she has been living up to his financial obligations over the years; a good factor to establish creditability.

Another hard truth which you need to digest if you are seeking an auto finance with bad credit score is that you can’t expect the heavens to open their bountiful treasures for you , your bad credit score will have its implications all through the process (what comes around goes around) and that it is most likely to translate into higher interest payments for your auto loan.

How to Finance a Car with Bad Credit?

The answer to this question is subjective and it varies depending on various factors such as; What’s one’s credit score? What is the complexion of one’s credit history? What is the car a person is eyeing? How is the current auto finance market setup? And where to look for an auto finance while bearing the tag of bad credit store etc.

Sounds humongous, isn’t it? Chill, EBC has got your back, as always 😉 and we are going to break it down for you so that you can formulate your own action plan after contemplating what will work out best in your case.

Here are 9 Things You Should Know:-

1. You know what credit score is considered bad, right? So, there’s no point elaborating that same mundane stuff and making you acquainted with the categorical division of credit scores.

Instead, you should be more curious to know why your credit score is poor and what all repercussions it is causing you and what ramifications you ought to avoid.

2. AnnualCreditReport.com is the only legit site that is authorized by the federal government to provide you the credit report. You may find similar other sites on the internet but they all are a hoax because they will have you enrolled for credit monitoring services besides charging you extra money.

3. Peruse your credit report thoroughly and know what your pain areas, whether you miss out on your payments frequently or is it your credit utilization ratio which is reaching for the skies?

Try and improve your credit score by 200 (on your own) at least to whatever extent you can.

4. It’s important to dream big but it’s more important to be practical. You have to curb your temptation of driving around a GT or a gigantic American muscle not because you can’t have one but because it’s not good for you in the long run.

Moreover, there are predators who are looking for people with lousy credit score to give you the loan with the underlying intent of entrapping you in their web of selfish motives. Remember, auto loans are usually backed up with collaterals and in case you happen to fail in fulfilling your financial obligations, all your earlier monthly payments will go in vain besides having your collateral chucked out.

5. As we said, buying a firsthand car could leave you in deeper waters so the only feasible alternative to buying a firsthand car is refinancing a second-hand car. Having said this, there are certain inhibitions which people have about the second-hand cars and rightly so, you should go for a CPO certified pre-owned car which will spare you both the time and money which would have otherwise spent on its refurbishment and repairs.

Certified pre-owned cars are not the ramshackle vehicles which have been standing at the corner of your street, instead, they are quality-affirmed, fully functional vehicles which are as good as the firsthand cars.

6. Now, the question is, from where should you refinance your car if you are having a poor credit score? Autocreditexpress.com is the website you should be turning to. With almost 20 years of experience in refinancing (through a network of lenders) new and old model cars for people who have credit score constraints, Autocreditexpress.com could save the day for you.

It specializes in getting customers through the process of refinancing in cases of repossession and other delinquencies such as amid bankruptcy.

7. The loan application process for you could differ if you are a sub-prime borrower. Lenders may ask you for extra documentation like your bank passbook or employment experience and licenses pertaining to your profession particularly if you are a contractor.

This way, lenders will assess your debt to income ratio besides figuring out the probability of you making payments in time. There shouldn’t be any active concealment of material facts from your side, otherwise, the lender may turn down your application or change the terms of the agreement.

8. In case you are turned down for an application, you don’t have to see to it as an insult. In most cases, the lenders will tell you why you were rejected for instance because of an entry on your credit report. You should not in any case pay for the loan amount via a credit card because it will be like inviting your doom.

Instead, you should wait for a few months after you have wiped off some part of the debt that owed. This way your credit report won’t be affected because successive application rejections worsen your credit score.

9. Now that we have answered how to finance a car with bad credit, we would like to share another important piece of advice with you, a hack basically. After having completed 9 months to 1 year of loan term and having paid payments on time, your credit score would have improved tremendously.

Consider refinancing because you are likely to get a lowered interest on your car and more importantly will find loan term which is more stretched out and terms of the contracts which are more flexible

Visiting autocreditexpress.com won’t cost you a thing. It won’t show up on your credit report and who knows, you could find a bargain which you could have never thought of. Good things come to those who try.

How to Finance a Car with Bad Credit - Here are 9 things to Know | EBC (2024)

FAQs

What credit score do I need to buy a $20000 car? ›

There isn't one specific score that's required to buy a car because lenders have different standards. However, the vast majority of borrowers have scores of 661 or higher.

Can I finance a car with a 500 credit score? ›

It's possible to get a car loan with a credit score of 500, but it'll cost you. People with credit scores of 500 or lower received an average rate of 14.08% for new-car loans and 21.32% for used-car loans in the first quarter of 2023, according to the Experian State of the Automotive Finance Market report.

What is the easiest car company to get financing? ›

After researching the car finance industry, we think that myAutoloan is best for those with bad credit. The company offers auto refinancing, lease buyouts and loans for new and used cars. Additionally, the marketplace only requires a credit score of 575 — making it easier for subprime borrowers to get a loan.

Will your bank give you a car loan with bad credit? ›

In most cases, having bad credit won't prevent you from finding a car loan. But you'll likely pay more — through higher interest rates and fees — than a borrower with good credit.

How much would a $20000 car loan be monthly? ›

However, the monthly cost of a $20,000 car loan will generally depend on your repayment period and the annual percentage rate (APR). Assuming that you take out a 48-month loan at an average APR of 4.09%, you would pay $452 monthly.

Can I get a $40,000 car with a 600 credit score? ›

It's essential to be knowledgeable about how your auto loan process will be different than someone with a higher score. You might not have the same options, but you can still get an auto loan with a 600 credit score.

What is the lowest credit score to buy a car? ›

In general, you'll need a FICO credit score of at least 600 to qualify for a traditional auto loan, but the minimum credit score required with vary from lender to lender. As interest rates increase due to inflation, securing a subprime auto loan may be more difficult — but not impossible.

What credit score is needed to buy a car without a cosigner? ›

What credit score is needed to buy a car without a cosigner? People with prime credit scores of 661 or higher likely don't need an auto loan cosigner.

What FICO score do car dealers use? ›

Your FICO score is a representation of your credit worthiness. FICO offers specific products and solutions for car dealers and auto loans. Their product is called Auto Score 8. As you can see here from FICO's promotional materials, Auto Score 8 is meant to help dealers, “Improve accuracy and speed of decision making.

What car brands work with bad credit? ›

Automakers such as Ford, Kia, and Hyundai are known for working with borrowers who have lower credit scores. In addition, CarsDirect has a network of dealers that specialize in bad credit car loans whether you're considering a new or used car.

Who has the best vehicle financing right now? ›

Compare Car Loan Rates
Top Auto Loan LenderLowest APRLoan Amount
AutoPay4.67%**$2,500 to $100,000
PenFed Credit Union5.24%$500 to $150,000
Auto Approve5.24%**$5,000 to $85,000
Consumers Credit Union6.54%No minimum or maximum
2 more rows

What is the minimum credit score for Carvana? ›

Carvana does not have a minimum credit score requirement and considers many factors, in addition to traditional credit score, in determining credit offers.

How much should I put down on a 40k car? ›

In general, you should strive to make a down payment of at least 20% of a new car's purchase price. For used cars, try for at least 10% down. If you can't afford the recommended amount, put down as much as you can without draining your savings or emergency funds.

Does CarMax require proof of income? ›

To complete your transaction, you may be required to provide any or all of the following: Valid driver's license. Proof of insurance (required for all vehicle sales) Proof of income.

How to get a car when you're broke? ›

Seek out a loan through a dealership.

Find an auto dealership that specializes in used cars and bad credit financing. These are often referred to as "buy here pay here" lots. This type of dealership may approve a car loan for you with little to no money down, but be prepared to pay a high interest rate.

What is the opportunity cost of buying a $20 000 car? ›

The opportunity cost of buying a $20,000 car refers to the value of the next best alternative that is forgone or sacrificed when choosing to purchase the car. It represents the benefits or opportunities that could have been gained by using that money for something else.

How much can I borrow with a 630 credit score? ›

You can borrow anywhere from a few thousand dollars to $100,000+ with a 630 credit score. The exact amount of money you will get depends on other factors besides your credit score, such as your income, your employment status, the type of loan you get, and even the lender.

What interest rate can I get with a 700 credit score for a car? ›

What interest rate can I get with a 700 credit score for a car? Having a 700 credit score puts you in the “prime” category for borrowing. According to Experian, the average rates for this category are 6.44% for new-car loans and 9.06% for used-car loans.

Can I get a $20,000 loan with 650 credit score? ›

The required credit score for a $20,000 personal loan will vary from lender to lender, but a score of at least 650 will typically land you a decent interest rate and reasonably good repayment terms. Check with different lenders to find out their credit score requirements.

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