Unless you have the cash, that means you need an auto loan. 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.
There is no set credit score you need to get an auto loan. If you have a credit score above 660, you will likely qualify for an auto loan at a rate below 10% APR. If you have bad credit or no credit, you could still qualify for a car loan, but you should expect to pay more.
However, even consumers with credit scores of 600 or less can get approved for an auto loan. Most banks and credit unions don't offer car loans to individuals with low (or subprime) credit scores.
A credit score of 600 won't necessarily keep you from getting an auto loan, but it's likely to make that loan more expensive. Taking steps to improve your score before you apply for a car loan can put you in the driver's seat and make it easier to negotiate the best possible loan terms.
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.
FHA loans are intended for people with lower credit; they allow a minimum credit score between 500 and 580. If your FICO score is below 580, you'll need a 10% down payment. If it's above 580, you only need to put 3.5% down.
The recommended credit score needed to buy a car is 660 and above. This will typically guarantee interest rates under 6%.
It's not impossible to get a car loan with a credit score of 606, but you may have to agree to more expensive terms. Your credit score is a reflection of your ability to pay off debt on time and in full. A credit score of 606 is considered nonprime and can concern lenders.
An individual with a 606 credit score will typically receive a credit card interest rate of between 20.5 and 16.5 percent. In comparison, someone with excellent credit can receive an average credit card interest rate of 13.5 percent.
With a credit score of 605 you'd be considered a nonprime applicant. While that isn't the worst situation to be in, nonprime applicants have an average APR of 6% for new cars or 10% for used cars. If you can afford to wait for your car loan, you should consider taking some time to build up your credit before you apply.
“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.
Don't worry! While a credit score of 630 isn't the best, it's far from the worst. A 630 credit score should be good enough for a car loan, so long as you: Prepare for high interest rates—Lower credit means higher interest rates, so check to see how much of an additional monthly cost you can afford.
The FICO credit score.
The FICO credit scoring model is the most commonly used credit scoring model by auto lenders and car dealerships, and is also the oldest and first-ever credit scoring model. It's estimated that 90% of auto lenders use the current FICO Score 8 model when making lending decisions.
In general, lenders look for borrowers in the prime range or better, so you will need a score of 661 or higher to qualify for most conventional car loans.
Pay on time.
One of the best things you can do to improve your credit score is to pay your debts on time and in full whenever possible. Payment history makes up a significant chunk of your credit score, so it's important to avoid late payments.
A FICO® Score of 606 places you within a population of consumers whose credit may be seen as Fair. Your 606 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.
Don't worry too much, though—you can totally find a decent car loan with a score of 607. A 607 credit score is considered nonprime, so you can expect your car loan's APR to be somewhere between 6.32% and 9.77%. Lenders reserve the best rates for applicants with credit scores of 661 and above.
Your score falls within the range of scores, from 580 to 669, considered Fair. A 600 FICO® Score is below the average credit score. Some lenders see consumers with scores in the Fair range as having unfavorable credit, and may decline their credit applications.
A FICO® Score of 604 places you within a population of consumers whose credit may be seen as Fair. Your 604 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.
The credit scores and reports you see on Credit Karma should accurately reflect your credit information as reported by those bureaus. This means a couple of things: The scores we provide are actual credit scores pulled from two of the major consumer credit bureaus, not just estimates of your credit rating.
Although a 650 credit score is desirable for any loan, first time car loans may require a score of 680 or higher to waive any co-signer requirements.
Make Sure You Have Good Credit
Having a good credit score is essential if you want to get approved for an auto loan with decent terms. In general, a good FICO® Score☉ ranges from 670 to 739, and a higher score is even better. Auto lenders typically use the FICO 8 or FICO Auto Score models to determine your score.