

With the added layer of good credit, you likely can avoid making a large down payment. The more competitive your interest rate is, the less expensive your monthly vehicle payment will be. Most obviously, a good credit score, usually a score of 680 or above, can ensure a low interest rate. This means that you are more likely to receive more favorable interest rates and better terms.Ĭonsider the following aspects of vehicle financing that a strong credit score can provide you with.īetter interest rates. The higher your credit score, the less risk lenders think you pose. Lenders view your credit score as a numerical representation of how likely you are to repay a loan. Even though your credit score makes up a large portion of the pie, lenders will also consider your income, employment history and your debt-to-income ratio. And luckily, your credit score isn’t the sole measure used to determine your interest rate. You just might need to do a bit more homework to get the best rate. This type of scoring is focused specifically on your ability to pay back debts, and these scores range from 250 to 900.Īll of this is to say, even with poor credit, you can find an auto loan for your needs. Some auto lenders also use a version of the FICO score called FICO Auto Score. Both scores use a mix of your credit history, amount owed, balances and available credit - just weighted differently. VantageScore is less common but still ranges from 300 to 850.

Most lenders use FICO, which ranges from 300 to 850.

There are two main scoring systems you will encounter when financing, FICO score and VantageScore. Not all lenders use the same credit score reporting agencies as their source of truth. These standards range based on lender specifics and are present in order to ensure that borrowers are lending to those that can confidently pay back their loans. What is the minimum credit score for a car loan?Īlthough there is no official minimum credit score that lenders require across the board in order to apply, you can expect minimum standards. These typically have higher interest costs than traditional auto financing. If your credit score falls into the subprime category, you may need to look for a bad credit car loan. This is down almost two percent compared to the same time last year. As interest rates increase due to inflation, securing a subprime auto loan may be more difficult - but not impossible.Įxperian data from the first quarter of the year found that just about 15 percent of total financing fell into the subprime category. 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. This means that the higher your credit score, the more favorable your interest rate and terms will be. Lenders use your credit score as an indication of how likely you are to repay a loan. Before you head to the dealership for your new car, it is important to consider your credit score - and how it will affect how much you spend.
