Do not believe when someone says that better car loan rates are only possible for people with good credit. It is not true. Anyone can enjoy low-interest rates if he reduces the risk factors. This means you can enjoy affordable car financing even with bad credit score.
Prepare Yourself for the Car Loan Process
Car loan process is often lengthy and strenuous. But, you can make it easier by preparing for it.
Prepare a budget so that you know how much you can afford to spend on the car. Calculate all your monthly income & expenses and decide how much monthly payment is possible for you. Don’t forget to consider costs related to the car like registration fees, taxes, insurance, maintenance, etc. It will help you in taking an accurate decision. This step is very important for people with bad credit because any wrong decision can further deteriorate your credit score.
Also, you must order your free annual credit report and check for any errors. It is a known fact that credit bureaus mess up transactions. So, inspect the report thoroughly. If possible, pay-off few debts to improve your credit score.
Used Cars can be Beneficial
Used cars are of lesser value. That’s why; the overall auto loan cost is lower compared to new cars. This situation is perfect for a bad credit borrower because a smaller auto loan is much more manageable than a larger loan. So, opt for a used car. But, don’t compromise on the quality of the car. The vehicle should always be reliable because you don’t want to spend your money on a lemon or a junk.
Searching for a Sub-prime Lender
Do not apply with your nearest lender/dealer. Instead, take some time in research. Only apply with those lenders who offer bad credit auto loans. Most sub-prime lenders work with borrowers who have credit issues. So, contact reputed sub-prime lenders and apply with them.
How to Get Better Rates?
Don’t think bad credit score is the only factor that is responsible for approval. You can enjoy better rates by concentrating on other factors.
Income Proof
When lenders see your regular income, they will consider you a less risky borrower. For this purpose, use your pay stubs and/or income-tax statements.
Co-Signer
As the co-signer also reduces credit risk, lender’s confidence increases in you.
Down Payment
Down payment can really work for someone with poor credit history. As you put money down, auto loan amount reduces. This means your total loan cost comes down.
Trade-In
If you have an old car, you can use it for trade-in. It will lower the car financing amount. Also, it is beneficial for those individuals who find down payment difficult.
Applying for a Bad Credit Car Loan Won’t Lower your Credit Score
People with bad credit ratings are often apprehensive of applying for a bad credit auto loan. They think that inquiries on their credit score will make it worse. But, the reality is different.
Fair Isaac Corporation, the company that handles FICO scores has announced that all inquiries made within 30 days of car loan shopping won’t affect your credit score. Now, the number of days may reduce to 14 if the lender uses previous versions of FICO scores and increase to 45 if he uses the latest formula.
This means there will be no reduction in your credit ratings if you apply for car loans with poor credit history. So, go out there and apply for auto financing without any worry.
Hope you soon get better rates on a car loan and buy your dream car!
