What's The Lowest Credit Score To Buy A Car -

If your score is below 600, your focus should shift from just "getting approved" to minimizing high interest costs. How to Get a Car With a 500 Credit Score & No Money Down

While there is required to buy a car, most lenders generally prefer a score of at least 500 to 600 for basic approval. It is possible to secure financing with a score as low as 300 to 400 , but this often requires a significant down payment or a co-signer. Car Loan Tiers and Expected Interest Rates (2026) what's the lowest credit score to buy a car

Lenders use credit tiers to determine your risk and interest rate (APR). Below are typical averages based on early 2026 data from Experian and Bankrate : Credit Tier Score Range Avg. New Car APR Avg. Used Car APR ~4.7% – 5.3% ~6.8% – 7.2% Prime ~6.4% – 6.8% ~9.4% – 9.6% Nonprime ~9.0% – 11.0% ~12.0% – 14.5% Subprime ~12.0% – 14.0% ~16.0% – 19.4% Deep Subprime ~15.8% – 16.0% ~21.6% – 21.8% [Sources: NerdWallet , WalletHub , Bankrate] Essential Tips for Low-Credit Buyers If your score is below 600, your focus