Apr 28, 2022

Couple leasing a car

Having a low credit score can sometimes make it difficult to qualify for a used car loan. Typical car dealerships usually raise interest rates for buyers with low credit scores because lenders consider these buyers as potential risks compared to buyers with good credit.

With this being said, you shouldn’t be concerned, as there are dealerships that specialize in bad credit car financing. These dealerships are known as bad credit car dealers, and they can provide a great solution for people seeking car financing with bad credit. However, before you visit one of these dealers, you should understand a few things if you want to find the perfect vehicle for you. As a bad credit car dealer, we at Toyota Direct understand all the ins and outs of bad credit car loans; therefore, we have compiled a list below of seven pieces of advice for shopping with a bad credit dealer.

  1. Consider How Much You Need A Vehicle And How It Will Affect Your Life

Before you decide to find a used car loan, you should first examine your situation a bit further and consider how much you need a vehicle. Ideally, you should think about how having a vehicle will affect your life. Will it bring you to a job? Will it provide you with transportation in case of emergencies? Will you be able to afford it? If you can confidently answer yes to all of these questions, you should then decide whether or not you truly need a vehicle.

  1. Check Your Credit Report

Despite the fact that your credit may be poor, it is still essential to understand your credit score. Dealerships offering bad credit car loans will base your eligibility for a loan on factors besides your credit score, such as income. However, knowing and tracking your credit report can still help, as paying any loan on time will help to improve your score over time.

  1. Shop Around For Different Deals

A significant piece of advice to consider when searching for cars with bad credit is to leave your options open. While browsing used car lots near Columbus, Ohio, or anywhere else, you may encounter various interest rates from different dealers. Ideally, you should aim for the lowest interest rate on bad credit car financing while also ensuring that you are shopping with a quality dealership.

  1. Aim For A Short Loan Term

Once you have found a dealership that offers acceptable used car loan rates, the next step in negotiating a loan will be to choose a term for your loan. A good thing to remember about loan terms is that a longer term will have you paying more for a vehicle. Hence, you should strive for the shortest term you can get considering your budget, of course.

  1. Look For Newer Vehicles

While shopping at dealerships that offer car loans for bad credit, you may notice the lack of vehicle options from which you can choose. Most of the time, this is because bad credit car dealers base your vehicle options on your financial eligibility. With this being said, you should still shop around between dealerships, finding newer vehicles if you can, as they will last longer and save you money on maintenance.

  1. Make A Down Payment

No matter your credit score, a vital tip to save you money on any used car loan is to make a down payment. Typically, a down payment should be twenty percent of a vehicle’s cost; however, any amount of down payment will save you money in the long run.

  1. Consider A Co-Signer

The final thing you should think about when opting for an auto loan for bad credit is whether or not you need a co-signer. Co-signers are great in that they provide a lender with a lot more financial security, as they will pick up payments if you default on a loan. Your co-signer should be someone close that you can trust as well, such as a family member or friend. You should consider a co-signer if:

  • You have income that is lower than the minimum required for a car loan
  • Your credit is bad
  • You have a debt-to-income ratio that is too high to qualify for a loan
  • Your income is variable