Is 650 a Good Credit Score for a Car Loan? | Green Light Auto Credit (2024)

If you’re getting ready to start the car financing process, you might wonder, “Is 650 a good credit score for a car loan?” The answer isn’t a simple yes or no. Depending on your lender, a 650 might be considered “Good” or just “Fair” – which can affect just how smoothly your auto financing process goes. Find out the key factors that influence your car loan success, and see how Green Light Auto Credit can help you find the financing you need in the St. Louis area, even if your score falls below 650.

Credit Score Basics

The old saying is true: the higher your credit score, the lower your car payments. But, just how does that break down for the average driver? A good credit score is generally considered in the 700 or 800 range. A high credit score implies a responsible driver with a history of making payments on time. However, not every driver has perfect credit. FICO® Scores are used by a wide variety of lenders to evaluate your credit rating. Take a look at the ranges below:

  • Exceptional: 800 – 850
  • Very Good: 740 – 799
  • Good: 670 – 739
  • Fair: 580 – 669
  • Very Poor: 300 – 579

So, how good is a 650 credit score? Although it’s more favorable than a 630 credit score, it falls into the “Fair” category of FICO® scores.

Auto Financing 101

How can you translate your credit score into a great deal? It’s important to do the right research to get the best results:

  • Debts: Do you have any outstanding debts that you can pay off? This can have a big impact on your credit score.
  • Collateral: A larger down payment may help improve your chances of getting a great car loan, as well as getting a co-signer with a higher credit score.
  • Lender: Every lender has their own criteria, so shop around. Green Light Auto Credit’s ideal credit range is around 600, so 650 is considered a great score when working with us. Conversely, some banks in Herculaneum and Florissant may have more restrictive criteria.

Learn More with Green Light Auto Credit

So, is 650 a good credit score? What about 665? It is at Green Light Auto Credit. But if you have the time, working toward a 710 credit rating will get you solidly into the “Good” category, earning you more favorable rates and terms. If you’re getting ready to finance your next big purchase, get in touch with us to find out how we can help you find the right auto loan for your needs and budget – even if you’re working with a limited credit history. Contact us to get started today!

Is 650 a Good Credit Score for a Car Loan? | Green Light Auto Credit (1)

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Is 650 a Good Credit Score for a Car Loan? | Green Light Auto Credit (2024)

FAQs

Is 650 a Good Credit Score for a Car Loan? | Green Light Auto Credit? ›

Yes, it's possible to get a car loan with a 650 credit score, although your rates might not be as good as those for an applicant with better credit. If you shop around and aren't happy with the interest rates you're quoted, you might consider working on your credit before taking out a loan.

Can I get approved for a car loan with a 650 credit score? ›

Yes, it's possible to get a car loan with a 650 credit score, although your rates might not be as good as those for an applicant with better credit. If you shop around and aren't happy with the interest rates you're quoted, you might consider working on your credit before taking out a loan.

How big of a loan can I get with a 650 credit score? ›

You can borrow as much as $40,000 - $100,000+ with a 650 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 credit score do I need to get a $30,000 car loan? ›

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

What is the minimum credit score for a car loan? ›

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 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.

How to get 700 credit score from 650? ›

6 easy tips to help raise your credit score
  1. Make your payments on time. ...
  2. Set up autopay or calendar reminders. ...
  3. Don't open too many accounts at once. ...
  4. Get credit for paying monthly utility and cell phone bills on time. ...
  5. Request a credit report and dispute any credit report errors. ...
  6. Pay attention to your credit utilization rate.

What credit score do I need for a $25 000 car loan? ›

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 monthly payment on a $30000 car loan? ›

A $30,000 auto loan balance with an average interest rate of 5.0% paid over a 6 year term will have a monthly payment of $483. In total, the loan will cost $34,787 with $4,787 in interest.

What credit score is needed to buy a car without a cosigner? ›

What credit score is needed to buy a car without a cosigner? People with prime credit scores of 661 or higher likely don't need an auto loan cosigner.

What is a decent credit score to buy a car? ›

Your credit score is a major factor in whether you'll be approved for a car loan. Some lenders use specialized credit scores, such as a FICO Auto Score. In general, you'll need at least prime credit, meaning a credit score of 661 or up, to get a loan at a good interest rate.

How fast will a car loan raise my credit score? ›

How fast will a car loan raise my credit score? There's no set time frame for how long it takes a car loan to improve your credit score. After buying a car, you can expect to see your score improve after making monthly payments on time and paying down your loan balance.

What is a good FICO auto score? ›

While there isn't a set minimum credit score to buy a car, you should aim to have a score of 670 or higher, which puts you in the good credit range.

What are new auto loan rates for 650 credit score? ›

Average Auto Loan Rates
Credit ScoreAverage New Car Loan APRAverage Used Car Loan APR
661 to 7807.01%9.73%
601 to 6609.60%14.12%
501 to 60012.28%18.89%
300 to 50014.78%21.55%
1 more row

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.

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 30k loan with a 650 credit score? ›

Yes, you can still get a personal loan with a 650 credit score. Interest rates will be higher than people who apply for loans with good or excellent credit, but there are plenty of lenders out there that will consider your loan application.

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