Scores above 670 are considered good. Many lenders offer people with FICO scores above 740 lower interest rates because their risk of default or repossession is very low.
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.
FICO® credit scores are the auto industry standard for determining a potential buyer's creditworthiness.
Auto lenders may rely more on Equifax and Experian for credit report insights, but TransUnion also sells consumer data to a number of automotive lenders. Credit scoring models such as FICO® Auto Score 9 generate a credit score based on the debt and payment information in a consumer's credit report.
How to qualify for a 0% APR car deal. Zero percent financing deals are generally reserved for borrowers with excellent credit — typically classified as a credit score of 800 and above.
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.
Key Takeaways. It is possible to buy a car with a 550 credit score, but it may be more difficult and require more effort than for someone with a higher credit score. Before shopping for a car, it's important to assess your financial situation and budget carefully to determine what you can realistically afford.
Auto dealerships use the FICO credit bureau, which stands for Fair Isaac Corporation. They also use the FICO Auto Credit Score, which has a range of 250 to 900. This may mean that an auto dealer has a different credit score for you than the one you see on your personal credit report.
What credit score is needed to buy a car without a cosigner? People with prime credit scores of 661 or higher likely don't need an auto loan cosigner.
Aside from your usual information, car dealerships will also obtain information such as any previous loan defaults or repossession, late payments, signs of bankruptcy, and history of credit repair. This information will help your dealership decide how to approach your car financing application.
This is because individual consumer reporting agencies, credit scoring companies, lenders and creditors may use slightly different formulas to calculate your credit scores. They might also weigh your information differently depending on the type of credit account for which you've applied.
To buy a $50,000 car and get favorable auto loan options, it's best to have a credit score in the prime or super prime categories. Prime borrowers are those with a credit score within the 661-780 range, while super-prime borrowers fall within the 781-850 range.
Bring your own credit report with you
If you plan on using dealer financing, take your own credit report to the dealership. The salesperson may still access one, but having your own can thwart being denied the best rate because your credit isn't good enough – when it actually is.
This depends on your financial situation. For those with a good credit score — around 670 and up — a $30,000 personal loan may be pretty easy to get.
The required credit score to buy a $300K house typically ranges from 580 to 720 or higher, depending on the type of mortgage. For an FHA loan, a popular choice among first-time homebuyers for its lower down payment requirement, the minimum credit score is usually around 580.
A lot of new credit can hurt your credit score. While many factors come into play when calculating your FICO credit score, you may start to see your auto loan raise your credit score in as few as 60 to 120 days. But remember, everyone's credit situation is different, so your results may vary.
If you've been turned down for a car loan recently, you're not alone: Rejection rates for auto loan applications reached a record high in 2023, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's Consumer Expectations Credit Access Survey, jumping from 5.2% in 2022 to 11%.
It's usually easier to secure a loan for a new car than a used car because lenders can more easily determine the value of a new car.
CarMax® is an auto financing company that uses the FICO® Score.
FICO 8 scores range between 300 and 850. A FICO score of at least 700 is considered a good score. There are also industry-specific versions of credit scores that businesses use. For example, the FICO Bankcard Score 8 is the most widely used score when you apply for a new credit card or a credit-limit increase.
Consider putting at least $6,000 down on a $30,000 car if you're buying it new or at least $3,000 if you're buying it used. This follows the guidelines of a 20% down payment for a new car or a 10% down payment for a used car.
After researching the car finance industry, we think that myAutoloan is best for those with bad credit. The company offers auto refinancing, lease buyouts and loans for new and used cars. Additionally, the marketplace only requires a credit score of 575 — making it easier for subprime borrowers to get a loan.
Tesla doesn't list a minimum credit score to be approved for financing, however, typically your shot of being approved will increase if your score is in the 600s or better. It could be possible with a 500 score still, though not as likely.