What credit score should I have to buy a car?

Asked by: Vanessa Abernathy PhD  |  Last update: February 9, 2022
Score: 4.8/5 (13 votes)

What Is the Minimum Score Needed to Buy a Car? 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 decent credit score to buy a car?

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.

Can I get a car loan with a credit score of 600?

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.

Is a 700 credit score good enough to buy a car?

What Credit Score Do I Need to Get a Good Deal on a Car? To get an auto loan without a high interest rate, our research shows you'll want a credit score of 700 or above on the 300- to 850-point scale. That's considered prime credit, and lenders don't have to price much risk into their rates.

What credit score is needed to buy a car with no money down?

Purchasing a car with no money down might sound too good to be true, but many dealers, banks, and credit unions allow you to do that just. All you need is good credit and verification that you earn enough to pay back the loan. In general, you'll need a FICO score of at least 700 to qualify.

what your Credit Score GETS YOU at a Car Dealership

17 related questions found

How much should you put down on a $12000 car?

“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.

What FICO score do car dealers use?

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.

Is 725 a good credit score to buy a car?

A 725 score should easily secure you a car loan. On average, your score should get you an interest rate between 3.6- 4.6 and between – and 6 percent on a used car. Scores above 720 are more likely to net you the lower percentage rates.

Is 710 a good credit score to buy a car?

A 710 credit rating is considered “Good.” That means you are likely to have more success finding a great deal. Let's go through the basics of auto financing and credit scores, so you can start the shopping process with total confidence.

Is 670 a good credit score to buy a car?

FICO® credit scores are the industry standard and are used by more than 90% of lenders when making decisions. A FICO® credit score above 670 is generally considered "good."

Is a 630 credit score good?

Your score falls within the range of scores, from 580 to 669, considered Fair. A 630 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.

Is a 650 credit score good?

70% of U.S. consumers' FICO® Scores are higher than 650. What's more, your score of 650 is very close to the Good credit score range of 670-739. With some work, you may be able to reach (and even exceed) that score range, which could mean access to a greater range of credit and loans, at better interest rates.

Is 620 a good credit score?

A FICO® Score of 620 places you within a population of consumers whose credit may be seen as Fair. Your 620 FICO® Score is lower than the average U.S. credit score. ... Consumers with FICO® Scores in the good range (670-739) or higher are generally offered significantly better borrowing terms.

What kind of car loan can I get with a 650 credit score?

Interest Rate

If you get approved for a car loan, lenders will charge you with high interest to compensate for that risk. A high credit score of 700 to 850 usually commands an APR or around 4% or lower. An average score of around 650 to 699 will likely give you 6 to 10% APR.

Is 665 a good credit score?

A FICO® Score of 665 places you within a population of consumers whose credit may be seen as Fair. Your 665 FICO® Score is lower than the average U.S. credit score. ... Consumers with FICO® Scores in the good range (670-739) or higher are generally offered significantly better borrowing terms.

How much of a car loan can I get with a 700 credit score?

A 700 credit score puts you firmly in the prime range of credit scores, meaning you can get a competitive rate as long as you shop around, have good income, and have a solid debt-to-income ratio. A 700 credit score gets an average car loan interest rate of 3% to 6% for new cars and 5% to 9% for used cars.

Is 633 a good credit score to buy a car?

A 633 FICO® Score is considered “Fair”. Mortgage, auto, and personal loans are somewhat difficult to get with a 633 Credit Score. Lenders normally don't do business with borrowers that have fair credit because it's too risky.

Is a 760 credit score good?

Your score falls within the range of scores, from 740 to 799, that is considered Very Good. A 760 FICO® Score is above the average credit score. Consumers in this range may qualify for better interest rates from lenders. 25% of all consumers have FICO® Scores in the Very Good range.

Is a 740 credit score good?

Your FICO® Score falls within a range, from 740 to 799, that may be considered Very Good. A 740 FICO® Score is above the average credit score. Borrowers with scores in the Very Good range typically qualify for lenders' better interest rates and product offers.

How common is a 700 credit score?

A 700 credit score is considered a good score on the most common credit score range, which runs from 300 to 850. How does your score compare with others? You're within the good credit score range, which runs from 690 to 719. Your 700 score is better than 37.2% of consumers, according to credit scoring company FICO.

Is a credit score of 755 good?

A 755 credit score is Very Good, but it can be even better. If you can elevate your score into the Exceptional range (800-850), you could become eligible for the very best lending terms, including the lowest interest rates and fees, and the most enticing credit-card rewards programs.

Do car dealerships lie about your credit score?

Some dealers rely on the fact that many car shoppers don't know their own credit score. ... All it takes is for the dealer to lie to you about your credit score. After they do a credit check, they don't have to reveal what your score is, they can just tell you that you won't qualify for competitive financing rates.

Should you tell a car dealer you are pre approved?

Most finance experts suggest holding back the fact that you have a pre-approval until you've settled on the price of the vehicle. ... It's possible that telling the dealer you have car financing right at the start could harm your chances to negotiate on the selling price of the vehicle you're looking at.

Do car dealers use TransUnion or Equifax?

While Experian and Equifax are the most popular bureaus among auto lenders and car dealers, TransUnion can also be used for auto loan decisions. And the truth is, the credit bureau lenders use when evaluating your auto loan application probably will not influence their decision too much.