Bad Credit Car Loans in 2022: Do You Qualify? | LendingTree

How to get a car loan with bad credit

Look up your score. Yes, you know your credit score is in the poor range, but do you know your exact score right this minute? Credit scores can change within days or even hours, so it’s helpful to know exactly where you stand before applying for an auto loan. If your score seems suspiciously low, make sure there are no errors on your credit report, which can be checked at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Apply to multiple lenders directly. Bad credit car loans are expensive, so shop around and don’t take the first offer you see. Any applications you fill out within a two-week window will count as only one hard inquiry on your credit report.

*Source: Experian

*Source: Experian

As you can see, those with the lowest credit scores tend to pay the highest rates, which can add up to thousands more in interest charges over the life of your auto loan. That’s why it’s important to make sure you receive an offer directly from a lender — dealers can make money by increasing your APR. Start with your own bank, credit union or online lender. Then, compare those offers to others you get through platforms like LendingTree, where you could fill out a single form and receive up to five loan offers from lenders, depending on your creditworthiness.

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