Can I buy a car with 650 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.
If you have a 650 credit score you may be eligible for a loan but you might not get a favorable interest rate yet. With a credit rating of 600 to 650, the interest rate can be as high as 25-30%. In that case, you must make a down payment of at least 20% of the total amount.
You can borrow as much as $40,000 - $100,000+ with a 650 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.
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.
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 your credit score is above 620, you are likely to get a car loan with favorable terms. Most loans you can get with a 650 credit score require a down payment and come with terms of 48 months or longer. You can expect average interest rates because 650 is a middle-of-the-road credit score.
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.
What credit score is needed to buy a car without a cosigner? People with prime credit scores of 661 or higher likely don't need an auto loan cosigner.
With your 650 credit score, lenders will generally consider you to be a higher-risk borrower. This means to get loan approval, you're likely to need strong qualifications when it comes to income, employment, and other debts.
As of July 2023, someone with a 650 credit score could receive a 60-month auto loan with an average interest rate of 12.30%. However, someone with a credit score of 700 would be able to get a loan with a rate of just 8.46%.
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.
It's essential to be knowledgeable about how your auto loan process will be different than someone with a higher score. You might not have the same options, but you can still get an auto loan with a 600 credit score.
How fast will a car loan raise my credit score? There's no set time frame for how long it takes a car loan to improve your credit score. After buying a car, you can expect to see your score improve after making monthly payments on time and paying down your loan balance.
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.
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.
With FICO, fair or good credit scores fall within the ranges of 580 to 739, and with VantageScore, fair or good ranges between 601 to 780. Many personal loan lenders offer amounts starting around $3,000 to $5,000, but with Upgrade, you can apply for as little as $1,000 (and as much as $50,000).
Tesla doesn't list a minimum credit score to be approved for financing, however, typically your shot of being approved will increase if your score is in the 600s or better. It could be possible with a 500 score still, though not as likely.
Boost Your Credit Score
Your credit score is crucial to determine your eligibility for a no down payment car loan. Most lenders require a FICO credit score of at least 680 before you can qualify. If your credit score falls below 680, improve your credit score before you apply to help you qualify in the future.
The required credit score for a $20,000 personal loan will vary from lender to lender, but a score of at least 650 will typically land you a decent interest rate and reasonably good repayment terms. Check with different lenders to find out their credit score requirements.
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.
Is it hard to get approved for a car loan?
Americans are having a harder time getting approved for auto loans, as banks worry over the risk of defaults at a time when high interest rates and elevated car prices are squeezing budgets. With borrowers struggling to make their monthly car payments, banks are responding by tightening credit standards.
| CarMax | Carvana | |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended Minimum Credit Score | 500 | 500 |
| Maximum Accepted Mileage | Not disclosed | 140,000 miles |
| Maximum Accepted Age | Not disclosed | Varies |
| Maximum Accepted Loan-to-Value Ratio | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
A cosigner can ease a lender's concerns that you're a high-risk borrower by ensuring the loan will be repaid even if you default. It could qualify you for a better interest rate. A cosigner's good credit score could offset your poor score, helping you get a more affordable auto loan with a lower interest rate.
A lender might tell you they can provide you a loan only if you have a co-signer. However, they can't require you to have a co-signer if you qualify on your own. If you're told you need a co-signer, it generally means the lender will not offer you the loan based solely on your own income and credit record.
You can borrow $50,000 - $100,000+ with a 670 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.
