What Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a Car?

Buying a new car can be a great experience, but it can also be disappointing when it comes time to do the paperwork. With the right credit score you can either walk into a dealership and drive home with a new car same day, or you can face a lot of difficulty with getting the cash you need to finance your new car.

Unless you are paying cash for your car or borrowing money from a family member, you’ll need an auto loan to purchase your new car. Your best bet is to visit your bank first to find out what kind of loan you qualify for, otherwise you’ll be tempted to get your loan through the dealership. Dealer financing is typically very expensive and will cost you way more money for your car.

Either way, your credit score is the most important variable when it comes to determining if you can get approved for a loan, how much, and at what rate. The higher your credit score, the better the rate you’ll be able to secure. That means you’ll be able to purchase a nicer car or save hundreds of dollars a month. The same exact car you purchase can cost another person several hundred more dollars a month simply because of the difference in credit score.

The average credit score in America is 720, though you realistically need a 760 score or higher to get approved for the best rates. If you fall below the 720 mark, you’ll likely need to take a few extra steps to increase that rating.

June 30, 2009

Got something to say?