According to Car and Driver, “Most used auto loans go to borrowers with minimum credit scores of at least 675. For new auto loans, most borrowers have scores of around 730. The minimum credit score needed for a new car may be around 600, but those with excellent credit often get lower rates and lower monthly payments.”
Your score falls within the range of scores, from 300 to 579, considered Very Poor. A 425 FICO® Score is significantly below the average credit score. Many lenders view consumers with scores in the Very Poor range as having unfavorable credit, and may reject their credit applications.
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.
Getting a car with a 400 credit score is extremely challenging, as a score that low is considered very poor. Most traditional lenders will likely deny your application due to the high risk associated with such a low score. However, there are a few options you might consider:
Getting a loan with 450 credit score is possible
Below that, you can go to credit unions or other private institutions. Anything lower than 600 is considered as risky territories and these firms do not extend loans without the presence of a co-signer.
You could be eligible for a credit card or a loan with a 400 credit score. However, because 400 is at the lower end of the credit-score scale, it can be harder for you to get accepted for credit.
There is no minimum credit score required to buy a car, but most lenders have minimum requirements for financing. Most borrowers need a FICO score of at least 600 to get a competitive rate on an auto loan.
Navy Federal says its loans are available to borrowers across the credit spectrum, including borrowers with bad credit or thin credit histories, and there's no minimum credit score requirement. You must be a member of Navy Federal to apply.
Key Takeaways. A credit score of 450 or below is considered poor, so direct lenders might be reluctant to approve your loan application. It's possible to get loans with a bad credit score, but be prepared for high fees, high interest rates, and potentially risky terms.
Nearly half of Americans score between 750 and 850, in the very good to exceptional range, while less than 25% of Americans have a score between 300 and 649, the poor to fair credit score range.
What is the highest credit score possible? To start off: No, it's not possible to have a 900 credit score in the United States. In some countries that use other models, like Canada, people could have a score of 900. The current scoring models in the U.S. have a maximum of 850.
Many dealers use a FICO Auto Score instead of a traditional FICO Score or VantageScore when evaluating your car loan application. Your FICO Auto Score can range from 250 to 900, depending on your previous auto loans.
Overall, Credit Karma may produce a different result than one or more of the three major credit bureaus directly. The slight differences in calculations between FICO and VantageScore can lead to significant variances in credit scores, making Credit Karma less accurate than most may appreciate.
According to Experian's Q1 2024 State of the Automotive Finance Market report, the typical car buyer needs a credit score of 755 for new car loans and 686 for used car loans. However, don't be alarmed if your score isn't there yet—these are just averages, and qualifying for an auto loan can be subjective.
Personal loans offer flexibility in usage, allowing borrowers to cover various expenses like debt consolidation or personal purchases without needing collateral. Qualification for a $3,000 personal loan often requires a decent credit score, with many lenders preferring scores of 660 or higher for better terms.
Apart from membership, Navy Federal Credit Union doesn't specify any requirements, like minimum credit scores. It does note that you can still get a loan if you have limited credit history — though you may need a co-applicant, depending on the amount you want to borrow.
Every lender sets its own requirements for zero-down-payment deals, if they offer them at all. Generally, the credit score needed to buy a car is at least 661 whether you make a down payment or not. You could still get a car loan if your score is lower than 661, but be prepared to pay higher interest rates.
Example: A six year fixed-rate loan for a $25,000 new car, with 20% down, requires a $20,000 loan. Based on a simple interest rate of 3.4% and a loan fee of $200, this loan would have 72 monthly payments of $310.54 each and an annual percentage rate (APR) of 3.74%.
A down payment between 10 to 20 percent of the vehicle price is the general recommendation. But if you can afford a larger down payment, you can save even more money on interest payments over the life of the loan. By dropping the amount financed, you save some even before you start negotiating the car price.
CarMax is a strong option for buyers looking for flexible financing with no minimum credit score requirement and a straightforward online process. Its starting APR of 5.75% and loan terms of 24–72 months are competitive.
Your score falls within the range of scores, from 300 to 579, considered Very Poor. A 450 FICO® Score is significantly below the average credit score. Many lenders view consumers with scores in the Very Poor range as having unfavorable credit, and may reject their credit applications.
Because of this financial reality, people with poor credit seeking ways to improve it may consider hiring a third-party credit repair company. While it may seem like a good idea to pay someone to fix your credit reports, there is nothing a credit repair company can do for you that you can't do yourself for free.
Building your credit from 400 to 700 could take a few years. The exact timing to get a 700 credit score depends on which types of negative marks are dragging down your score and the steps you take to improve your credit going forward.