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.
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.
Generally speaking, banks require a minimum credit score of 600 to give an auto loan without any down payment. However, you CAN buy a car with a score of 400 or a score of 850. There are a lot of variables that weigh into determining your loan eligibility and interest rates available.
The recommended credit score needed to buy a car is 660 and above. This will typically guarantee interest rates under 6%.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
580 and 669, your rating is fair, and you are considered to be a subprime borrower and the dealership will consider your application. 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.
A credit score of 600 won't necessarily keep you from getting an auto loan, but it's likely to make that loan more expensive. Taking steps to improve your score before you apply for a car loan can put you in the driver's seat and make it easier to negotiate the best possible loan terms.
People with good credit scores of 700–749 average an interest rate of 5.07% for a new car and 5.32% for a used 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.
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.
You may be able to get a car loan with a 650 credit score, but you might not like the terms and conditions of the loan if you do. Your score is considered fair, so the average interest rate you can expect to pay is 11.69% for a new car loan. ... Work on your credit score. Make a larger down payment.
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.
With a 700 score, you're likely to qualify for a conventional loan with cheaper mortgage insurance and an even smaller down payment. There are just a couple exceptions to that rule: If you have higher debt, an FHA loan might be better. FHA can be more forgiving of a high debt–to–income ratio.
A FICO® Score of 730 falls within a span of scores, from 670 to 739, that are categorized as Good. ... 21% of U.S. consumers' FICO® Scores are in the Good range. Approximately 9% of consumers with Good FICO® Scores are likely to become seriously delinquent in the future.
A 726 FICO® Score is considered “Good”. Mortgage, auto, and personal loans are relatively easy to get with a 726 Credit Score. Lenders like to do business with borrowers that have Good credit because it's less risky.
A score of 750 points or higher is considered excellent credit. These borrowers are seen as having a very low risk by lenders, so they get charged less interest. If your credit score is in this range, you may qualify for financing incentives and loan deals offered by auto makers.
As someone with a 650 credit score, you are firmly in the “fair” territory of credit. You can usually qualify for financial products like a mortgage or car loan, but you will likely pay higher interest rates than someone with a better credit score. The "good" credit range starts at 690.
A 639 FICO® Score is considered “Fair”. Mortgage, auto, and personal loans are somewhat difficult to get with a 639 Credit Score. Lenders normally don't do business with borrowers that have fair credit because it's too risky.
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.
With a credit score of 640, for example, you may find an FHA loan can offer the best interest rate. In most areas, the FHA would limit your single–family home loan to $420,680. Meanwhile, a conventional loan could go up to $647,200 in most areas. (USDA and VA loans don't impose program–wide loan limits.)