What is a good credit score to buy a car?
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.
While you can find financing with any credit score, a good credit score for a car loan is usually between 670 and 850. Your credit score is affected by many factors including payment history, amounts owed/utilization, length of credit history, credit mix, and new credit.
Recently the difference was more than a full percentage point higher for new and used car loans. That's a significant difference, and the rates are worse for lower scores. Your 720 credit score is lower than the average new-car buyer's score of 735, but higher than the typical used-car buyer's score of 675.
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.
| Credit score | Average APR, new car | Average APR, used car |
|---|---|---|
| Prime: 661-780. | 7.01%. | 9.73%. |
| Nonprime: 601-660. | 9.60%. | 14.12%. |
| Subprime: 501-600. | 12.28%. | 18.89%. |
| Deep subprime: 300-500. | 14.78%. | 21.55%. |
In general, lenders extend $30,000 loans to borrowers with good to excellent credit, which is typically 670 and higher. But there may be lenders who lend to borrowers with bad credit. If you're having difficulty qualifying, you may consider getting a cosigner or co-borrower to help you get approved for the loan.
So, who is a well-qualified buyer? Generally, the term refers to an individual with a Tier 1 credit score. For one to qualify, one must have a good credit score of not less than 720. Nevertheless, it is crucial to note that each bank bases its definition of Tier 1, and the statistics may differ from one to another.
Your credit score is an important factor when locking down financing. 700 is a good credit score to buy a car because it proves you are a responsible borrower with a credit history in the prime range.
You can borrow $50,000 - $100,000+ with a 720 credit score. The exact amount of money you will get depends on other factors besides your credit score, such as your income, your employment status, the type of loan you get, and even the lender.
Plus, you're likely to get approved for lower interest rates, which can save you money in the long run. According to the latest credit score statistics, the average FICO score is 716, so a 720 is slightly above average. 67% of Americans have a score in this range or higher based on data from Experian®.
Does anyone do 0% finance on cars?
0% APR car finance is generally only available for new cars. Where it is available on used cars, this typically means you'll be paying an artificially high cash price, as dealers often inflate the price to cover what they lose by not charging interest.
A good interest rate for a car loan is typically below 5.18% for new cars and 6.79% for used vehicles.
Shopping for the best deal on an auto loan will generally have little to no impact on your credit score(s). The benefit of shopping will far outweigh any impact on your credit. In some cases, applying for multiple loans over a long period of time can impact your credit score(s).
| Top Auto Loan Lender | Lowest APR | Term Length |
|---|---|---|
| PenFed Credit Union | 5.24% | 36 to 84 months |
| Auto Approve | 5.24%** | 12 to 84 months |
| Consumers Credit Union | 6.54% | Up to 84 months |
| Auto Credit Express | Varies | Varies |
Less than 2% of Americans have a perfect credit score.
A perfect FICO credit score is 850, but experts tell CNBC Select you don't need to hit that target to qualify for the best credit cards, loans or interest rates.
The minimum credit score needed for most mortgages is typically around 620. However, government-backed mortgages like Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans typically have lower credit requirements than conventional fixed-rate loans and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs).
A $30,000 auto loan balance with an average interest rate of 5.0% paid over a 6 year term will have a monthly payment of $483. In total, the loan will cost $34,787 with $4,787 in interest.
The monthly payment on a $30,000 loan ranges from $410 to $3,014, depending on the APR and how long the loan lasts. For example, if you take out a $30,000 loan for one year with an APR of 36%, your monthly payment will be $3,014.
| Loan Amount | Loan Term (Years) | Estimated Fixed Monthly Payment* |
|---|---|---|
| $20,000 | 5 | $415.07 |
| $25,000 | 3 | $771.81 |
| $25,000 | 5 | $514.05 |
| $30,000 | 3 | $926.18 |
- Pay down your revolving credit balances. If you have the funds to pay more than your minimum payment each month, you should do so. ...
- Increase your credit limit. ...
- Check your credit report for errors. ...
- Ask to have negative entries that are paid off removed from your credit report.
What is the prime credit score?
Near-prime (credit scores of 620-659) Prime (credit scores of 660-719) Super-prime (credit scores of 720 or above)
A competitive lessee or well-qualified buyer generally refers to an individual with a Tier 1 credit score. As you can probably deduce, a Tier 1 credit score is a very good credit score. It typically refers to a score of 720 or higher.
A 750 credit score is often considered very good — or even excellent. A very good or excellent credit score can mean you're more likely to be approved for good offers and rates when it comes to mortgages, auto loans and credit cards with rewards and other perks.
Can I get an auto loan with an 630 credit score? The short answer is yes, but you're likely to get a significantly higher-than-average interest rate. To put it into perspective, as of November 2022, the typical borrower with prime credit (720 or higher FICO score) got an APR of 5.34% on a 60-month new auto loan.
Summary. Even though a 650 credit score isn't that great, it is enough for you to secure a car loan, albeit with a relatively high interest rate. Remember that you can improve your credit history and refinance with another bank at a lower interest rate down the line.
