What FICO Do I need to buy a car?

Asked by: Dr. Monroe Windler DVM  |  Last update: February 9, 2022
Score: 5/5 (19 votes)

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.

Which 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.

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.

What should my credit score be to buy a car?

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

Do car dealers use FICO 9?

FICO® Score 8 and 9.

These are the latest generic FICO® scoring models. Although FICO® didn't create these models specifically for auto lenders, they are widely used credit scores, and auto lenders may use a base FICO® Score when reviewing auto loan applications.

Credit Score: Car Dealers only care about THIS Score Model!

20 related questions found

Is 640 a good credit score to buy a car?

A credit score of around 640 to 649 is considered fair credit. Your score is below the national average of 710, but it's not in the “poor” range. You will be eligible for just about any new, used, or refinance automobile loan on the market, but you won't get the best interest rates.

What is a good credit score to buy a car in South Africa 2021?

Your score

670 and 739, you have a good rating, and as such, you are not likely to default on your finance agreement. Finance will be approved. 740 and 799, you are very good and likely to receive better than average interest rates from finance houses.

Is 680 a good credit score to buy a car?

A credit score in the range of 680 to 689 is a solid score that will let you qualify for prime car and truck loan rates. Deciding where you will obtain your financing will play a big role in the chances of getting the best rates possible.

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. You would pay $8,106 in total interest over the life of your loan.

What is a good FICO auto score 8?

Consequently, when lenders check your FICO credit score, whether based on credit report data from Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion, they will likely use the FICO 8 scoring model. FICO 8 scores range between 300 and 850. A FICO score of at least 700 is considered a good score.

Is 650 a good 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.

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.

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

You can get a car loan with a low credit score

While the exact definitions of these terms vary depending on who you ask, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or CFPB, defines subprime as borrowers with credit scores of below 620 and deep subprime as borrowers with scores below 580.

Do car dealers use FICO or Vantage?

VantageScore. 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.

Do car dealerships use FICO?

Many auto lenders use base FICO Scores to make credit-granting decisions. Base FICO scores predict the likelihood that you'll make a late payment on any credit obligation within the upcoming 24 months. They also feature the traditional score range of 300-850. Lenders use numerous versions of base FICO Scores.

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.

Is 683 a good credit score to buy a car?

A 683 FICO® Score is considered “Good”. Mortgage, auto, and personal loans are relatively easy to get with a 683 Credit Score. Lenders like to do business with borrowers that have Good credit because it's less risky.

Is a 670 credit score good to buy a car?

Good Credit (670-739)

A late payment or a high credit card balance may be all it takes to drag your score down from exceptional to good. Borrowers in this range will pay around 4.5% for a car loan.

Is a 690 FICO credit score good?

A 690 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 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 can I get with a 700 credit score?

What a 700 credit score can get you
  • Car loans. According to a 2021 report released by credit bureau Experian, nearly 65% of cars financed were for borrowers with scores of 661 or up. ...
  • Home loans. ...
  • Credit cards. ...
  • Personal loans. ...
  • Payment history. ...
  • Credit utilization. ...
  • Length of credit history. ...
  • Credit applications.

Is 685 a Good credit score for a car loan?

Is 685 a Good Credit Score? A 685 FICO® Score is considered “Good”. Mortgage, auto, and personal loans are relatively easy to get with a 685 Credit Score. Lenders like to do business with borrowers that have Good credit because it's less risky.

Is 640 a good credit score in South Africa?

The minimum credit score for a home loan in South Africa is around 640. A score of 600+ will give you a fair chance of home loan approval - although this may vary according to which bank you use. A score of 670+ is considered an excellent credit score, significantly boosting your chances of home loan approval.

Which South African banks use Experian?

Capitec Bank In South Africa Selects Experian For Debt Management And Collections. Capitec Bank has selected Experian, the global information services company, to help it enhance its debt management and collections activities.

Is 603 a good credit score in South Africa?

Scores range from 300 to 850 with the higher scores being more positive. A score in excess of 700 is a good score and should give you good access to credit at a preferential interest rate. Above 767 is excellent and shows you to be a very low-risk consumer that institutions would be happy to give credit to.