According to credit reporting agency Experian, more than 21% of auto loans in the fourth quarter of 2018 were extended to borrowers with subprime (501-600) or deep subprime (500 or below) credit scores. So, the answer is yes, you can buy a car with that credit score.
In general, you'll need at least prime credit, meaning a credit score of 661 or up, to get a loan at a good interest rate. If you have poorer credit, you can still get a loan, but you will probably have to pay more for it or else find a cosigner.
The Bottom Line
If you have a 550 credit score, you may still be able to get approved for an auto loan. In addition to the right documents, a possible cosigner, and larger down payment, you also need to work with the right lender. The Car Connection is here to help you find financing.
Your score falls within the range of scores, from 300 to 579, considered Very Poor. A 510 FICO® Score is significantly below the average credit score. 16% of all consumers have FICO® Scores in the Very Poor range (300-579).
A score of 961-999 is considered excellent (reference: https://www.experian.co.uk/consumer/guides/good-credit-score.html). ... A credit score of 566-603 is considered fair. A credit score of 604-627 is good. A score of 628-710 is considered excellent (reference: https://www.finder.com/uk/transunion).
The average credit score in the United States is 698, based on VantageScore® data from February 2021. It's a myth that you only have one credit score. In fact, you have many credit scores. It's a good idea to check your credit scores regularly.
Credit cards and auto loans offer the best approval odds for someone with a 559 credit score. For example, people with credit scores below 580 take out roughly 12% of car loans versus only 6% of mortgages, according to 2017 Equifax data.
A good credit score to buy a car is often above 660, as you're then considered a "prime" borrower. There's no industry-wide, official minimum credit score in order to qualify for an auto loan. Generally, the higher your credit score, the better terms you're likely to get on the loan.
Most auto lenders use FICO Auto Score 8, as the most widespread, or FICO Auto Score 9. It's the most recent and used by all three bureaus. FICO Auto Score ranges from 250 to 900, meaning your FICO score will differ from your FICO Auto Score.
Generally speaking, banks require a minimum credit score of 600 to give an auto loan without any down payment. However, you CAN buy a car with a score of 400 or a score of 850. There are a lot of variables that weigh into determining your loan eligibility and interest rates available.
When a car dealer runs your credit (after filling out a credit application), they will see your financial history. It will show the length of your credit history, your payment history, any outstanding debt you have, and roughly 30 different credit-related factors.
Credit cards and auto loans offer the best approval odds for someone with a 524 credit score. For example, people with credit scores below 580 take out roughly 12% of car loans versus only 6% of mortgages, according to 2017 Equifax data.
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 13.97% for new-car loans and 20.67% for used-car loans in the second quarter of 2020, according to the Experian State of the Automotive Finance Market report.
“A typical down payment is usually between 10% and 20% of the total price. On a $12,000 car loan, that would be between $1,200 and $2,400. When it comes to the down payment, the more you put down, the better off you will be in the long run because this reduces the amount you will pay for the car in the end.
The recommended credit score needed to buy a car is 660 and above. This will typically guarantee interest rates under 6%.
With a credit score of 550, you're in the subprime tier, which means you're going to have a higher interest rate. In general, expect lenders to offer a car loan with an interest rate of 15% to 20% depending on the length of your loan—and that's if they approve you at all.
Credit Cards for a 550 Credit Score
The one thing anyone with a 550 credit score should do is open a secured credit card. Even if you don't use it to make purchases, a secured card can help improve your score by adding positive info to credit report on a monthly basis.
When you have maxed out your credit cards, your credit utilization ratio goes up. This makes a negative impact on your credit score. However, when you repay the debt, your credit utilization ratio goes down. This helps to increase your credit score.
Your score falls within the range of scores, from 300 to 579, considered Very Poor. A 500 FICO® Score is significantly below the average credit score.
The most widely used credit scoring model is the FICO 8, which is used by the three largest credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, & TransUnion (The Big Three). Scores range from 300 (very poor) to 850 (exceptional). When your score is high you have better opportunity for lower lending rates.
On the FICO® Score☉ 8 scale of 300 to 850, one of the credit scores lenders most frequently use, a bad credit score is one below 670. More specifically, a score between 580 and 669 is considered fair, and one between 300 and 579 is poor.