What's a decent credit score to buy a car? Depends what you're willing to pay

This may come as a surprise, but there is actually no minimum credit score to buy a car. Don’t get too excited, though.

Just because you can buy a car with no credit doesn’t mean you should.

The lower your score, the less favorable your loan terms will be. And in many cases, you’ll end up paying significantly more in interest.

So that raises the question: What is a good credit score when it comes to buying a car?

It turns out there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, so in this guide, we’ll show you what to expect with different credit ranges. Then you can decide for yourself what a “good enough” score is for you.

What credit score is needed to buy a car?

No matter your credit score, you can find someone willing to lend you money for a car.

Some lenders may deny you based on your credit, but rest assured, others will be happy to give you a loan — at least for the right price.

The riskier you are as a borrower, the more interest you’ll pay.

Not only that, but you’ll also have to jump through more hoops to be approved (as you’ll see shortly).

It’s best to avoid this if possible, and to do that, you’ll need to make yourself less risky to lenders.

What is a good credit score to buy a car?

Lenders start to relax and offer better interest rates once you break your score past 600. If you don't know your current credit score, you can check it online for free.

For the lowest rates possible, you should aim for a score of 720 or higher.

This might seem doable for some. For others, it may be out of reach.

If 720 feels light-years away, you may take comfort knowing that most car buyers do not quite fall into this category.

What is the average credit score to buy a car?

While following the crowd is not always the wisest financial decision, it can be useful to see where you stand compared to other car buyers.

A mid-2020 report from credit bureau Experian reveals the average score for new and used car loans to be 721 and 657, respectively.

That means the average buyer of a used car does not qualify for the best interest rates, while new car buyers barely qualify.

What if I have a score lower than 700?

You can still get a car loan with a score lower than 700. In fact, more than 20% of car buyers have scores under 600, and about 3% score under 500, according to data from Experian.

That said, you will certainly need to jump through more hoops.

You’ll need to explain why

Your lender will likely grill you about the negative marks on your credit report.

This may seem intimidating, but it’s actually an opportunity to plead your case.

Frame your explanation in a way that shows that:

• You’ve learned from your mistakes.

• You are working hard to fix them.

• They won’t happen again.

You can also use this opportunity to highlight any positive aspects of your credit report.

You may be asked to bring in a cosigner

If you have poor credit, you can increase your odds of approval (and even get better rates) by recruiting a cosigner.

A cosigner lessens the lender’s risk — if you fail to repay your loan, your cosigner will be responsible.

That said, this can be a big favor to ask. Cosigners are putting their necks on the line for you, and if you screw up, you could damage their finances (and potentially your relationship).

Lastly, remember that not all dealers are created equal. Some are more accommodating than others, so if one denies you, move on to the next. Today, you can even buy a used car completely online.

Try improving your score

Instead of using a co-signer or accepting outrageous interest rates, you’re often better off taking the time to build your credit score.

Your wallet will thank you for it.

Here’s an idea of how you can expect interest rates to vary based on your credit score:

Source: Experian

To put this in perspective, let’s say you want to take out a five-year, $30,000 loan on a new car using the rates above.

With a poor credit score, you’re looking at a $704 monthly payment and $12,240 in total interest costs.

With a 720+ credit score, on the other hand, your monthly payment would be $548, with only $2,880 in total interest costs.

Here are a few credit-boosting tips to get you started.

Get your score for free

The first step to building your score is knowing where you currently stand. Here’s how to check your credit score for free.

Keep in mind that your auto lender may check your score using a slightly different scoring model that puts a heavier emphasis on your past auto-loan payment history.

You can purchase this special report for yourself, but it’s not necessary. As long as you improve your base credit score, you’ll start qualifying for better rates.

Use a secured credit card

Using credit cards to build up a reliable payment history is one of the easiest ways to build your credit score. The problem is, if you have poor credit, it can be difficult to be approved for a credit card in the first place.

That’s where secured credit cards come in. They are designed to help riskier borrowers “prove themselves” and build credit. The catch is you’ll have to provide a cash security deposit that your card issuer will take if you don’t pay your bills.

If that doesn't sound like a good deal, a few credit card companies will look past a poor score and instead focus on your income and spending based on your bank history. That way you can start building your credit without putting up collateral.

A car loan will also help your score

It’s worth noting that once you are finally approved for a car loan, you can leverage it to build your score even more.

The biggest influence on your credit score is your payment history. When you make your car payment on time every month, your lender will report it to the three major credit bureaus (so don’t be late!).

Car loans also boost your score by helping with your credit mix. If the only type of credit you currently have is credit cards (i.e. revolving credit), adding an installment loan will help improve your score.

As you continue to strengthen your credit, it may make sense to refinance your auto loan in the future when you qualify for better rates.

Waiting isn’t a bad idea

Waiting to take out an auto loan allows you to:

• Hunt for better deals and discounts.

• Spend time building your credit score.

• Build up a solid history of on-time bill payments.

• Save more money for a down payment.

All of these actions will help you secure a more affordable loan.

While you are waiting, avoid applying for any other forms of credit. If hard inquiries are made on your account, your score will take a temporary hit.

Lastly, when the day finally comes to buy your ride, go for a used car, keep the financing term to a maximum of four years, and put down as big of a down payment as possible (shoot for 25% or more).

Doing so will minimize your interest payments and help you avoid negative equity (owing more than the car is worth).

What you will need to close the auto loan

There are two main ways to get an auto loan.

1. Preapproval by bank or auto lender: Similar to a mortgage preapproval, this method gives you an idea of what type of auto loan you qualify for before ever stepping onto the car lot.

2. Your dealer’s partner lenders: This allows you to conveniently take care of everything at the car lot but may end up being more expensive.

Regardless of which route you take, you’ll need to gather some paperwork to submit with your application.

Documents

The paperwork required for a loan application varies from lender to lender, but often includes:

• Proof of identity: Driver’s license, passport or other government-issued I.D.

• Proof of income and employment: Pay stubs, bank statements, W-2, tax returns.

• Proof of residence: If you recently moved, you can use a utility bill, bank statement, etc. Otherwise, your driver’s license usually works.

• Vehicle info: If buying from a private seller or working with a lender directly, you’ll need a purchase agreement stating the purchase price, VIN (vehicle identification number), year, make and model.

• Proof of auto insurance: To drive off the lot, you’ll need coverage that meets your state’s requirements. Remember to shop around — those who don't can end up overpaying by $1,000 a year or more.

To avoid a wasted trip, call your lender (or dealer) ahead of time to make sure you have everything.

FAQ

Can I get a car loan with a credit score of 600?

Yes, you can get a car loan with a credit score of 600. However, you will not qualify for the best interest rates, which will increase your total costs. You also may be required to find a cosigner and jump through other hoops.

Can I get a car with a 500 credit score?

Auto loans do not have minimum credit score requirements, so you technically can buy a car with a 500 credit score. That said, you may have difficulty being approved without a cosigner, and you will pay significantly higher interest rates than you would with a higher score.

What credit score is needed to buy a car without a cosigner?

There is no one-size-fits-all rule dictating which credit scores require a cosigner. Each lender makes its own risk assessment on your loan to decide whether a cosigner is needed. That said, if you have a good credit score (670+), you likely won’t need one.

What is the best credit score to finance a car?

To get the best rates on an auto loan, you will need a credit score of at least 720 — the higher, the better. With these scores, you pose less of a risk to auto lenders, which allows them to offer you lower interest rates.

What is a good credit score for a new car?

You qualify for better interest rates once your credit score passes into the Good range (670-739). For the best rates, however, you’ll want a score of at least 720. If you have a lower score, you can often make up for it with a larger down payment and a cosigner.