A target credit score of 661 or above should get you a new-car loan with an annual percentage rate of around 6.7% or better, or a used-car loan around 9.63% or lower. Superprime: 781-850. 5.08%.
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.
A borrower with a 650 credit score and a $20,000 five-year used-car loan would have monthly payments of about $466 and pay $7,965 in interest over the life of the loan. Someone with a 500 credit score and the same loan would have monthly payments of about $547 and pay $12,836 in interest.
A 659 credit score is considered “fair” credit, which means you should be able to get a credit card or loan, but a little bit of credit improvement will give you many more options and help you save a lot more money.
With FICO, fair or good credit scores fall within the ranges of 580 to 739, and with VantageScore, fair or good ranges between 601 to 780. Many personal loan lenders offer amounts starting around $3,000 to $5,000, but with Upgrade, you can apply for as little as $1,000 (and as much as $50,000).
Key Takeaways. Your credit score is a major factor in whether you'll be approved for a car loan. Some lenders use specialized credit scores, such as a FICO Auto 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.
For those with scores in the fair range (650-699), financing is still possible, though you may encounter slightly higher interest rates. It's worth noting that the average credit score required for the best auto loan rates has been gradually increasing, so aiming for a score of 700 or higher is advisable.
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.
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.”
It's total loan amount (including interest) divided by the loan term (number of months you have to repay the loan. For example, the total interest for a $30,000, 60-month loan at 7% would be $6,497.40. So the monthly payment would be $608.29 ($30,000 + $6,497.40 ÷ 60 = $552.50).
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.
A FICO® Score of 659 places you within a population of consumers whose credit may be seen as Fair. Your 659 FICO® Score is lower than the average U.S. credit score. Statistically speaking, 28% of consumers with credit scores in the Fair range are likely to become seriously delinquent in the future.
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.
Financial experts recommend spending no more than 10% of your monthly take-home pay on your car payment and no more than 15% to 20% on total car costs such as gas, insurance and maintenance as well as the payment.
Yes, just like the price of the vehicle, the interest rate is negotiable. Dealers might not offer you the lowest rate that you qualify for. To get the best interest rate, shop around with multiple lenders and negotiate.
What is a good credit score for a car loan? In the first quarter of 2024, the average credit score for new vehicle buyers was 755 and for used car buyers it was 686. A credit score of at least 661, however, should qualify you for a traditional car loan at a lower interest rate.
The highest rate on a car loan involves a few factors, including what state you live in and how much money you're borrowing. There is no set federal maximum, although some states do set caps. According to data from Experian, average rates range from 5.38 percent to 21.57 percent, depending on credit and vehicle type.
Different minimums may apply across the various institutions that offer personal loans in the $10,000 range. Those with a 640 or higher credit score are likely to find a number of options for a $10,000 personal loan; those with higher scores may have more options as well as more favorable terms.
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.
You can borrow anywhere from a few thousand dollars up to about $50,000 with a 600 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.
Check Your Credit Score
Your credit score can be a major factor in whether you'll get approved for an auto loan and the interest rate you receive. You can check your FICO® Score☉ for free from Experian.