What Credit Score is Needed to Finance a Car?

  • Posted on: 21 Dec 2022

  • Average Credit Score to Finance a Car, The credit score you have can determine if you’ll be accepted for a car loan. If your credit is low enough, it may not matter how much money in savings and income you have because the lender will still say no to any request for financing from an applicant with poor or bad credit!

    If your goal is to buy a new or used car but don't know what level of qualification (credit score) is required first-hand, then this article should help answer some questions about where one might start when looking into things like their personal finances as well as get information on keeping themselves out of debt while they work towards becoming more financially stable so they're ready to make those big purchases down the line without fear.

    What’s the Average Credit Score to Finance a Car?

    During the last quarter of 2018, it has been found that borrowers with a credit score higher than 718 were more likely to receive financing for new cars while those whose average was below 659 had better chances at getting used cars. Generally speaking, people who have high scores are able to get lower interest rates and fees since they generally qualify for top-tier loans. These ratings are separated into categories:

    • Super prime: 781 to 850

    • Prime: 661 to 780

    • Non prime: 601 to 660

    • Subprime: 501 to 600

    • Deep Subprime: 300 to 500

    How to Get Car Financing with Your Current Score?

    Car financing is not just for those with perfect credit. Car people in any city can get approved, especially if they take a few steps to improve their chances of getting loans through San Diego-based lenders like ours.

    Car financing isn't only available to the lucky ones! By taking a few small steps you too could be eligible and end up driving home in your new car today.

    • Highlight the Positives: Despite a bad credit score, if someone has always been paid on time for their car loans they may be more likely to get approved.

    • Bring Proof of Employment & Address: In order to get the best chances of your application being accepted, you’ll need to show that you have held a job and lived at an address for six months or more. The longer you can prove this information, the better!

    • Have Collateral: If you have a home and can put down at least 25%, then there's almost no chance that the banks will turn you away for an auto loan. You'll be able to find some of the most competitive interest rates available, as well.

    Average auto loan rates in 2021

    Credit Score New Car Loan Used Car Loan Refinance Car Loan
    750 or higher 2.49% 2.74% 2.39%
    700-749 2.49% 2.74% 2.39%
    600-699 2.49% 2.74% 2.39%
    451-599 6.76% 7.01% 3.49%
    450 or lower n/a n/a n/a

    Does a car loan build credit?

    A car loan is an excellent way to build credit in two ways: by showing a history of payments and having diverse types of credit.

    A good thing about car loans is that they are great for building up your payment history, which can help you get better rates on future loans if there's been no missed or late payments in the past six months. Taking out one type of secured debt (with collateral like a house), also helps diversify your overall portfolio so you don't have all eggs in one basket!

    What are your thoughts on the importance of paying bills on time? Is it worth more than 50% of a credit score because that is how much weight traditional lenders give to this factor? It accounts for about 60-70 percent, which means you have complete control over what percentage goes up in value and by doing so make an immediate impact.

    What's next?

    Sign up to get your free credit score and report from credit repair ease. Information is updated weekly, and the factors affecting your score are broken out to make them easier to understand.

    Call on (888) 803-7889 and fix your credit score now!