What does your FICO score need to be to buy a car?

Asked by: Kariane Deckow  |  Last update: December 9, 2022
Score: 4.9/5 (30 votes)

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.

What FICO score do car dealers use?

FICO Auto Score has several versions. 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.

What is the lowest FICO score for a car loan?

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.

What is the best FICO score to buy a car?

What credit score is needed to buy a car? You will likely need a credit score of 500 or above to qualify for an auto loan. A credit score range of 780 or better typically gets you the best rates. There are two main factors lenders look at when approving an applicant for an auto loan.

Can I get a car with a 600 credit 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.

what your Credit Score GETS YOU at a Car Dealership

45 related questions found

What credit score is needed for a 2021 car?

The recommended credit score needed to buy a car is 660 and above. This will typically guarantee interest rates under 6%.

Is a 630 credit score good for a auto loan?

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.

What credit score do I need to buy a $30 000 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.

Is 669 a good credit score to buy a car?

Buying a car can be confusing because auto lenders don't use the same categories or ranges that the credit rating agencies do. While credit rating agencies consider a score of 580 to 669 to be in the “Fair” category, you are considered to be in the “subprime” category of car loans once your credit score dips below 600.

Can I get a car loan with a 620 credit score?

A: It's entirely possible to apply successfully for an auto loan with only a 620 credit score. Consider this information which comes straight from Experian: In fact, Experian also stated that vehicle loans for customers having credit scores under 620 accounted for 20% of all auto loans during 2019!

How can I raise my credit score 100 points fast?

Here are 10 ways to increase your credit score by 100 points - most often this can be done within 45 days.
  1. Check your credit report. ...
  2. Pay your bills on time. ...
  3. Pay off any collections. ...
  4. Get caught up on past-due bills. ...
  5. Keep balances low on your credit cards. ...
  6. Pay off debt rather than continually transferring it.

How much of a loan can you get with a 600 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.

What credit score is needed for a 2022 car?

For best results, you should aim for at least a FICO score of 660 before applying for a new car loan.

Can I buy a car with 650 credit score?

If you're getting ready to start the car financing process, you might wonder, “Is 650 a good credit score for a car loan?” The answer isn't a simple yes or no. Depending on your lender, a 650 might be considered “Good” or just “Fair” – which can affect just how smoothly your auto financing process goes.

Do car dealerships use FICO?

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 is a FICO score of 9?

FICO 9 is a credit scoring model owned by the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO), who introduced it to creditors in 2014 and consumers in 2016. As with FICO's older models, such as FICO 8, it scores your credit on a scale from 300 to 850. Your FICO 9 score indicates how likely you are to repay your debts.

Can I get a car with 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.

How much of a loan can I get with a 670 credit score?

With a 670 credit score, the FICO Loan Calculator now estimates that you might qualify for an APR around 7.89%. Based on that rate, your monthly payment on the same $38,000 auto loan would be $768.

Can I finance a car with a 660 credit score?

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.

Is 712 a good credit score?

A 712 FICO® Score is Good, but by raising your score into the Very Good range, you could qualify for lower interest rates and better borrowing terms. A great way to get started is to get your free credit report from Experian and check your credit score to find out the specific factors that impact your score the most.

Is 670 a good credit score to buy a car?

The good news is, with a credit score of 670, you should be approved for a car loan. Most lenders require a credit score minimum of 661. Since this is your first time getting a car loan, here are a few tips to ensure you get the best deal: Compare multiple offers to see which lender can give you the best 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. Statistically speaking, 28% of consumers with credit scores in the Fair range are likely to become seriously delinquent in the future.

Can I buy a car with a 635 credit score?

A: It really is quite possible to successfully obtain an auto loan with only a 635 credit score. Think about this finance data from Experian: Furthermore, Experian also highlighted that vehicle loans for customers having scores of less than 635 represented twenty percent of all 2019 auto loans!

Can I get a car with 640 credit score?

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.

Can I buy a car with a 648 credit score?

A 648 FICO® Score is considered “Fair”. Mortgage, auto, and personal loans are somewhat difficult to get with a 648 Credit Score. Lenders normally don't do business with borrowers that have fair credit because it's too risky.