Generally, it's easier to finance a new car than a used car. A key reason: It's less difficult for a lender to determine the value of a new car versus a used car. A lender takes the value of a car into consideration when it arranges financing.
You're more likely to get financed for a used car than a new one if you're a bad credit borrower, simply because you're likely to get approved for a payment that fits better with used vehicle prices. Financing a new car almost always costs more than a used one.
In general, you can usually get lower interest rates on a new car through a dealer than on a used car. In fact, some dealers may offer promotional financing on brand-new models, including rates as low as 0% APR to those who qualify.
Better interest rates: With a new car purchase, you are also more likely to get a better interest rate on an auto loan than you would with a used car purchase, often by a few percentage points.
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.
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.
Dealers prefer buyers who finance because they can make a profit on the loan - therefore, you should never tell them you're paying cash. You should aim to get pricing from at least 10 dealerships. Since each dealer is selling a commodity, you want to get them in a bidding war.
Bank financing
The primary benefit of going directly to your bank or credit bank is that you will likely receive lower interest rates. Dealers tend to have higher interest rates so financing through a bank or credit union can offer much more competitive rates.
The Covid pandemic has muted depreciation, however, and prices for used cars are growing faster than for new. As the price gap narrows, buying new becomes more appealing because the vehicles are in better condition, plus, they have a full warranty and can be financed at a lower rate.
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.
What is a good APR for a car loan with my credit score and desired vehicle? If you have excellent credit (750 or higher), the average auto loan rates are 5.07% for a new car and 5.32% for a used car. If you have good credit (700-749), the average auto loan rates are 6.02% for a new car and 6.27% for a used car.
While the answer to “can you be denied a car loan after pre-approval?” is, “yes, but rarely,” when it does occur it's often based on a delineated time frame. The fine print likely stipulates that the lender actually has 30 days to decide whether or not to approve the loan.
If you're thinking of driving home in a pre-owned vehicle, the average interest rate for a used car is around 6%. If you're considering a new vehicle, new cars have an average rate of 5%. Generally, the interest for a used vehicle may be higher than that of a new vehicle.
Calculate the car payment you can afford
NerdWallet recommends spending no more than 10% of your take-home pay on your monthly auto loan payment. So if your after-tax pay each month is $3,000, you could afford a $300 car payment.
Used car loans typically have higher interest rates than new car financing because there's more uncertainty as to the value of the car, and lenders can demonstrate that used car borrowers default more frequently on their auto loans, regardless of their credit.
“Car dealerships want you to finance through them for two main reasons: They can make money off the interest of a car loan you get through them. They may get a bit of a kickback if they're the middleman between you and another lender (commission).
January is the best month to buy a used car, according to a study from car search engine and automotive research firm iSeeCars. For those hunting for a good deal, late fall and early winter are the best times to buy a used car, while late spring and early summer are the worst times.
When dealers sense hesitation, they'll sometimes try to force buyers off the fence by telling them that the deal they offered is good only for that day, or that another buyer is interested in the same car. This is their attempt to force you into an emotion-based decision.
Many dealerships appreciate having all their money upfront and not having to deal with monthly payments. You may find that you have more leverage when paying cash because the dealership might be willing to take less money in order to get all of it right away.
The recommended credit score needed to buy a car is 660 and above. This will typically guarantee interest rates under 6%.
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.
Answer provided by. While your friend is right that your credit score is considered fair, that doesn't mean securing an auto loan is impossible! With a 640 credit score, a new car loan interest rate hovers around 6.5% and a used car loan sits at about 10.5%. A credit score of 640 is below the national average of 710.