Is 700 a Good Credit Score to Buy a Car?︱Green Light Auto Credit (2024)

FAQs

Is 700 a Good Credit Score to Buy a Car?︱Green Light Auto Credit? ›

In general, any credit score of 620 or above is considered prime and should give you access to most of what the automotive finance market has to offer. According to Experian, the average credit score of customers who got a loan on a used vehicle at the end of 2022 was 678 and 738 for loans on a new one.

The “prime range” runs from 661 through 780. If your credit score is anywhere between 700 to 709, you are in the middle of this segment, and you can get competitive rates to finance your vehicle. However, these depend on your shopping habits, income, and debt-to-income ratio.

Credit Rating: 700 is a good credit score. Borrowing Options: Most borrowing options are available, and the terms are likely to be attractive. For example, you might be able to qualify for the best credit cards and some of the best personal loans.

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.

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.

As far as qualifying, you'll often need good or better credit (a FICO score above 670), and a stable income source that shows you can afford the payments. Annual percentage rates (APRs) for personal loans typically range from around 6% to 36%, depending on your credit profile and other factors.

You can borrow from $1,000 to $100,000 or more with a 700 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.

Generally, it takes around 4-12 months to reach the point where you can apply for a loan. It will take a few months to get to 750 if your score is currently somewhere between 650 and 700. However, if you have a credit score of less than 650, it will take more time to improve the score.

A score of 850 can only be achieved with 10+ years of credit, excellent on-time payment history, low credit utilization, and no recent hard inquiries, which is a tall ask.

What FICO score do car dealers use? ›

Your FICO score is a representation of your credit worthiness. FICO offers specific products and solutions for car dealers and auto loans. Their product is called Auto Score 8. As you can see here from FICO's promotional materials, Auto Score 8 is meant to help dealers, “Improve accuracy and speed of decision making.

Consider putting at least $6,000 down on a $30,000 car if you're buying it new or at least $3,000 if you're buying it used. This follows the guidelines of a 20% down payment for a new car or a 10% down payment for a used 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.

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.

Many lenders will also look at the monthly car payment in relationship to a borrower's monthly income. Fifteen percent or so is a pretty standard payment to income ratio. For instance, if you bring home 2,000 before taxes, lenders are more likely to approve a monthly car payment in the $250 - $300 range.

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.

To buy a $50,000 car and get favorable auto loan options, it's best to have a credit score in the prime or super prime categories. Prime borrowers are those with a credit score within the 661-780 range, while super-prime borrowers fall within the 781-850 range.

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

The highest personal loan amount you can usually find is $100,000. While you may qualify for a $100,000 personal loan with a 700 credit score, it's not guaranteed. If you have a lot of debt or an unfavorable debt-to-income ratio, some lenders may limit how much they are willing to loan.