What Kind Of Credit Is Needed To Buy A Car -

Lenders use your credit score to gauge risk; a higher score almost always leads to a lower . Credit Tier Score Range New Car Avg. APR Used Car Avg. APR Super-prime Prime Non-prime Subprime Deep subprime Buying a Car with Lower Credit

While there is to buy a car, most lenders look for a score of at least 661 (considered "prime") to offer competitive interest rates and standard loan terms.

As of early 2026, borrowers with scores in the typically receive the lowest rates, while those with scores below 500 may face interest rates exceeding 20% or struggle to find a traditional lender. Typical Credit Scores and Interest Rates (April 2026)