What Is a Bad Credit Score for a Car Loan? - NerdWallet (2024)

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What Is a Bad Credit Score for a Car Loan? - NerdWallet? ›

In general though, if your credit score is below the mid-600s, you can expect higher interest rates and more difficulty getting a loan. Because lenders consider many factors when approving loans, people with bad credit scores do get auto loans every day.

It's possible to qualify for a loan with a 500 credit score, but keep in mind the lender might have other requirements, too. You might also need to earn a certain amount of money every year or have been at your job for a specific length of time. The best way to see if you qualify for an auto loan is to prequalify.

In general, you'll need a FICO credit score of at least 600 to qualify for a traditional auto loan, but the minimum credit score required with vary from lender to lender. As interest rates increase due to inflation, securing a subprime auto loan may be more difficult — but not impossible.

When you have bad credit – say, a credit score around 550 – getting approved for a car loan can be difficult. While you should try for a pre-approval with your bank or credit union, you more than likely are going to need a subprime lender.

There is no set minimum FICO® Score to get a car loan. However, a good score at 720 or better will get you the best rate. Consider spending some time improving your credit score before shopping for your next car.

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.

Many lenders require a credit score above 650 to get a standard car loan. However, if you have a credit score of 550, 480 or even lower, and the bank or dealership denies your application, it is still possible to get a car loan. In fact, there is no score that is officially too low to get a car loan.

You can improve your credit score by opening accounts that report to the credit bureaus, maintaining low balances, paying your bills on time and limiting how often you apply for new accounts.

With a bad credit score, you'll likely be offered some of the highest advertised rates. According to data from Experian, borrowers in the subprime category (a FICO score between 501 and 600) can expect an average rate of 12.28 percent for new cars and 18.89 percent for used cars.

This means that if a person earns $3,000 per month, a car payment that is greater than $300-$450 per month may be considered high. It's important to keep in mind that a car payment is just one of several expenses associated with owning a car, including insurance, maintenance, and fuel costs.

What FICO score do car dealers use? ›

The base FICO score is also called FICO Score 8 or 9. It's not designed specifically for auto loans, but many lenders use it. It's a number between 300 and 850, and a higher score means that a person is more likely to make loan payments on time.

For instance, going from a poor credit score of around 500 to a fair credit score (in the 580-669 range) takes around 12 to 18 months of responsible credit use. Once you've made it to the good credit zone (670-739), don't expect your credit to continue rising as steadily.

Navy Federal says its loans are available to borrowers across the credit spectrum, including borrowers with bad credit or thin credit histories, and there's no minimum credit score requirement. You must be a member of Navy Federal to apply. Here's what you need for your application: Desired loan amount and term.

Highlights: While older models of credit scores used to go as high as 900, you can no longer achieve a 900 credit score. The highest score you can receive today is 850. Anything above 800 is considered an excellent credit score.

Credit score: You might need a credit score of at least 740 to be considered for a 0% APR loan. The minimum credit score depends on the dealership and the car you're interested in purchasing.

However, borrowers with 500 credit scores will have a better chance of approval with the following loan types: Secured personal loans: Secured personal loans require you to pledge collateral, such as a vehicle, savings account, collectible, piece of jewelry, or even the fixtures in your home.

The time it takes to raise your credit score from 500 to 700 can vary widely depending on your individual financial situation. On average, it may take anywhere from 12 to 24 months of responsible credit management, including timely payments and reducing debt, to see a significant improvement in your credit score.