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Average Credit Score for a Car Loan

Medha Godbole
Availing of a car loan is not a difficult task. However, there are several aspects considered before granting you one - the most important being your credit score. Read on to know what range or figure is considered to be an average score.
Nightmares about being short of cash and not being able to pay back the home loan aren't really a path, which has not been traversed by us? But thankfully, such dreams do not always come true.
The most important thing, however, is to know about the credit scores required for home or car loans, etc., which are no less when it comes to giving you those jitters. The following paragraphs will help you understand their value and importance.

Credit Score Explained

It is a statistical analysis of the credit worthiness of an individual. This entity refers to the payback capacity of a person and what are the chances that he/she will pay the amount back.
A credit report has all this mentioned in black and white, and credit card companies, financial institutions, and other types of lenders evaluate the payback capabilities of a loan applicant.
They can also analyze how much risk is involved in granting one to an applicant. This is the best way for the institutions and banks to get a fair idea whether to go ahead with it or not, as they get all the information and can match the same with credit score ranges.

Typical Score

Many of us might be knowing that the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) is the most renowned and widely used model for analyzing credit history and score. Under the FICO, the information is retrieved from consumers' credit files, and it helps the money lenders a great deal.

The National Average

The minimum score you will need is around 300. It can even go up to 800 or more. The average thus becomes around 680, nationally. On another spectrum, around 15% of the population has one hovering in the range even lower than 550. However, the one above the range of 700 can safely be said to be good.

Conventionally Scoring

Those who are traditional lenders demand a score, which is fair to reasonably good. This means that the average credit to apply for a car loan is between 620 - 700. There are some terms and conditions if you are on the lower end of the range. That could be an extra co-signer, increased down payment amount, and likewise.

The Alternatives

If the average score required for car loans is not what you are able to reach, which is not letting the oldies in the market finance you, perhaps you can look at alternative options for getting one.
To your luck, there are companies, which will help you to buy a car with a low score. There are a number of such car dealers and manufacturers. However, in this case, there is an elevated risk, and the money lender can even ask you to pay large penalties or high interest rates for payments that are late or missed.
Primarily, according to the reports, the average credit score for auto loan should not be less than 620 - 650. This is to make the purchase a smooth process. If you think you want to improve your score, first off you will need credit report and then you will be able to chalk out a plan of action.
Don't despair; you can still improve it. A car loan requires to have a decent one, and the first step towards it is to pay off the pending bills and card payments. Gradually, you will build it up and will be able to fulfill the requirements for the same through credit repair.