Getting an Auto Loan with a 600 Credit Score (2024)

Need a new vehicle but don't have a great credit score or cash? Keep reading to see how an auto loan can be put into your reach.

Credit Score 600? Here’s How To Get An Auto Loan

You have a 600 credit score, but you shouldn't be penalized because of this one number. Whatever the reason your score has fallen to 600, you still need a reliable and safe vehicle to get from point A to point B. Unless you have the cash, that means you need an auto loan.

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.

Lender Considerations When Applying for an Auto Loan

When you get an auto loan, there are two significant considerations. One is your income, which lets lenders know how much you can afford to pay monthly, and the next is your credit score, which indicates the likelihood that you'll fulfill your loan obligations.

Having a 600 credit score alerts lenders that you struggle to repay money that you borrow so they are more cautious when loaning you money.

One of the ways this will impact your auto loan is the interest rate you will qualify for. Interest rates can range from 3.5% for those with excellent credit to over 15% for those with lower credit scores.

The Interest Rate Difference

Your interest rate is the portion of the loan charged to you that’s also known as the annual percentage rate. Interest rates vary widely, and your credit score is the primary indicator of the type of rate you’ll get.

Here's an example showcasing how your loan is affected by a low-interest rate and a high-interest rate.

Low-Interest Rate Loan

Car Price: $25,000

Interest Rate: 4.69%

Loan Term: 60 months

Monthly Payment: $468

Total Car Cost: $28,094

High-Interest Rate Loan

Car Price: $25,000

Interest Rate: 16.78%

Loan Term: 60 months

Monthly Payment: $618

Total Car Cost: $37,102

When you compare these two loans, the only difference in the terms is the interest rate. The low-interest loan rate is 4.69%, and the high-interest loan rate is 16.78%.

With the higher interest rate, you will pay $150 more per month and $9,008 more over the length of your 60-month loan. While you can't do much about these more expensive rates until you improve your credit, it's crucial that you understand how your interest rate is impacting your auto loan financing.

Documentation Requirements

Whether your credit score is 600 or 800, you will need to provide your lender with some documentation proving your ability to repay your loan.

This includes:

  • Proof of employment via a pay stub - you generally need to make at least $1,500 per month to qualify for an auto loan
  • Tax returns if you are self-employed
  • Driver’s license
  • Proof of residency in the form of a utility bill

Make A Down Payment

While there are some zero down payment loan options for those with excellent credit, you will likely need to put down some money when you purchase your car.

Your lender will be cautious of your ability to repay based on your credit score, so making a downpayment provides them with some money up front in case you don't follow through with making payments. Your down payment requirement can vary greatly.

Get A Co-Signer

If you have a friend, spouse, or loved one who agrees to co-sign your loan, it can increase your chances of qualifying for a loan and improve your terms. Your co-signer will be legally and financially responsible for your loan, so be sure to work out all of the details with them before they agree.

Credit Union Auto Loans For 600 Credit Score

A credit union is a not-for-profit financial institution that passes its savings on to you, its members. They are also smaller than most traditional banks, so they can evaluate your specific situation on an individual basis.

Credit unions are also known to have lower rates than banks, and now that you know the importance of getting the lowest interest rate possible, it's worth it to apply for an auto loan with a credit union.

At Listerhill Credit Union, we know how important it is to find a loan that fits your needs and your budget without being penalized for having a lower score. If you’re looking for an auto loan with a 600 credit score, let us help you. It's free to apply, and we have some $0 down payment offers, along with flexible payback options.

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Getting an Auto Loan with a 600 Credit Score (1)

Getting an Auto Loan with a 600 Credit Score (2024)

FAQs

Getting an Auto Loan with a 600 Credit Score? ›

In general, you'll need a FICO credit score of at least 600 to qualify for a traditional auto loan. However, 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.

Can I get approved for a car loan with a 600 credit score? ›

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 big of a loan can I get with a 600 credit score? ›

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).

What is the average APR for a car loan with a 600 credit score? ›

Average car loan interest rates by credit score
Credit scoreAverage APR, new carAverage APR, used car
Prime: 661-780.6.89%.9.04%.
Nonprime: 601-660.9.62%.13.72%.
Subprime: 501-600.12.85%.18.97%.
Deep subprime: 300-500.15.62%.21.57%.
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What interest rate can I get with a 600 credit score? ›

Poor Credit (300-629): ~27 - 32% Interest Rate. Fair Credit (630-689): ~18 - 22% Interest Rate. Good Credit (690-719): ~14 - 18% Interest Rate. Excellent Credit (720+): ~10 - 14% Interest Rate.

What credit score is needed for a 30000 car? ›

What minimum credit score is needed to buy a car? There isn't one specific score that's required to buy a car because lenders have different standards. However, the vast majority of borrowers have scores of 661 or higher.

What is the lowest credit score to buy a car? ›

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 do I need for a $50,000 loan? ›

You'll have the best chance of getting approved with an excellent credit score, such as one above 800. You may struggle to find a lender that will approve a $50,000 loan for folks with poor or bad credit. A "poor" credit score is considered 580 or under. Most lenders require at least a "fair" score of around 670.

What credit score do you need to get a $30,000 loan? ›

Requirements to receive a personal loan

This allows them to look at your history from the past seven years and see whether you've typically made payments on time. For a $30,000 loan, you'll typically need a credit score above 600 just to qualify or above 700 to get a competitive rate.

Can I get a $20,000 loan with 650 credit score? ›

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.

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.

What credit score do you need to get 0% interest on a car? ›

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.

How much interest will I pay on a $20,000 car loan? ›

For instance, using our loan calculator, if you buy a $20,000 vehicle at 5% APR for 60 months the monthly payment would be $377.42 and you would pay $2,645.48 in interest.

Can you get approved for a car with a 600 credit score? ›

In general, you'll need a FICO credit score of at least 600 to qualify for a traditional auto loan. However, 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.

How much of a loan can I get with a 600? ›

You can borrow anywhere from a few thousand dollars up to about $50,000 with a 600 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.

What can I get approved for with a 600 credit score? ›

What Does a 600 Credit Score Get You?
Type of CreditDo You Qualify?
Unsecured Credit CardYES
Home LoanYES (FHA Loan)
Personal LoanMAYBE
Auto LoanMAYBE
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What is the minimum credit score for car finance? ›

There is no minimum credit score required to be approved for car finance for a number of reasons: – Different finance providers will use different third-party credit reference agencies to retrieve your credit score. A person's credit score will be different across providers as their scoring systems are unique.

Will a 650 credit score get me a car loan? ›

Getting a car loan is possible if you have a 650 credit score. Although the loan terms may not be ideal, and you'll end up paying more for the car than someone with a lower credit score, you're still eligible for a loan.

Can I buy a car with a 609 credit score? ›

There's no specific minimum credit score required to qualify for a car loan. Still, if you have poor credit, it could be difficult to get approved for a car loan. Even with the best auto loans for poor credit, watch out for high interest rates, which can make it very expensive to borrow money.

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