Best Bad Credit Car Loans in 2024

The best bad credit car loans offer affordable interest rates, flexible eligibility requirements, and transparency. A less-than-perfect credit report doesn’t have to hold you back from financing, but you may pay a higher interest rate.

A low credit score can be a big barrier for many when it comes to securing financing products at favorable terms, such as auto loans. Fortunately, bad credit car loans will be easy to qualify for, even if your credit history is less than perfect. The key is to compare your options and shop around so you can get the best possible deal.

In this article, we’ll talk about the factors that lenders may consider when qualifying you for your loan, the types of auto loans available, the best auto lenders out there, and tips on how to improve your credit so you can secure better interest rates.

3 Car Loan Options if You Have Bad Credit

To make it easier for you to find the right car loan for bad credit, we compared a dozen lenders based on their credit requirements, interest rates, and terms. Based on our research, we found three lenders that stood out from the rest. Here are the top three bad credit car loans we recommend.

1. My Auto Loan

If you want to shop around and compare your options to get the best possible APR, myAutoLoan is a good option. This is an online marketplace that matches you with lenders based on your needs. The process is easy, convenient, and quick. You can also add a co-signer or a co-borrower.

Highlights:

• APR: From 5.49% on an Auto Refinance or 6.99% on a New Auto Purchase
• Loan Term: 24 months to 84 months
• Loan Amount: From $8,000 ($5,000 when you refinance)
• Minimum Credit Requirements: A credit score of 575 or better

Pros:

• Online applications
• Can apply with a co-signer or co-borrower
• Prequalification available
• No prepayment penalties

Cons:

• Customer service could be better
• Not available to residents of all states

2. CarMax Auto Loan

CarMax Auto Loans are worth considering when you’re looking for used vehicles. The entire application process can be done online. There are no minimum credit score requirements. The website has a prequalification tool where you can see your personalized terms and interest rates.

Highlights:

• APR: Disclosed When You Prequalify
• Loan Term: 36 months to 72 months
• Loan Amount: From $500
• Minimum Credit Requirements: None

Pros:

• Online applications
• Prequalification available
• No prepayment penalties
• Low minimum loan amounts available

Cons:

• Financing is only for cars purchased at CarMax
• Not available to residents of all states

3. Carvana Auto Loan

Carvana offers used car loans to bad credit borrowers who purchase cars from its inventory. You can prequalify to get a better idea about the financing terms offered. Prequalification is valid for 45 days, and you can apply with a co-signer.

Highlights:

• APR: From 6.85%
• Loan Term: 36 months to 72 months
• Loan Amount: Not Specified
• Minimum Credit Requirements: Not Specified

Pros:

• Online applications
• Prequalification available
• No prepayment penalties
• Can apply with a co-signer

Cons:

• Financing is only for cars purchased at Carvana
• Not available to residents of all states

Factors That Influence Your Bad Credit Car Loan

Securing financing is a big part of a car purchase, and you want to learn as much as you can about it to feel confident about the choices you make. Here are a few factors that your lender may consider when you apply for a car loan with bad credit.

Credit Score

Your credit score will indicate your creditworthiness to a lender. It’s a key factor that lenders look at when deciding if they will lend to you, how much they can lend, and the interest rate they should charge, depending on the type of credit you are applying for, whether you are refinancing or applying for a trade-in.

Income

Lenders will also look at your income before determining if they can approve your loan application. This allows them to determine if you’ll have sufficient funds to afford the monthly payments. If you don’t have much left after covering your bills each month, it might be best to consider additional income sources such as overtime, side gigs, or selling items on Etsy or Facebook Marketplace. This will improve your chances of getting car loans with bad credit.

Employment History

Your employment history is important for auto lenders. Lenders will consider information such as where you’re working, the nature of your work, and the length of your employment. Assessing this information allows lenders to understand if you have a stable source of income. 

For example, if your main source of income is through contract or freelance work, it may be difficult for you to qualify for a loan. To improve your chances of getting approved, you’ll have to demonstrate that you have steady employment and reliable access to income each month through full-time work.

Down Payment

The amount of money you can put down can have an impact on your car loan. Money down can reduce the loan amount, which means there’s less risk for your lender. It’s also an indication that you’re less likely to miss payments because you may lose the down payment in case of repossession. To receive a more favorable loan offer, it is better to put down a larger down payment. We recommend that you put down 20% on a new car and 10% on a used car.

Types of Car Loans Available if You Have Bad Credit

Before you apply for a car loan with bad credit, it’s important to understand your options. Consider the three financing options listed here and compare them to decide which one may be right for you.

Online Loans

Online car loans are quite similar to traditional lenders but may offer more favorable annual percentage rates to borrowers with a bad credit score. They can be a good option for those who want quick financing and ease of application. You’ll be able to prequalify online and fill out an application along with the necessary documents. Once the lender checks your loan application, you’ll receive their decision. If approved, funding is typically done on the same day.

Pros:  

• Competitive interest rates
• Convenient and quick online applications
• You’ll have more auto loan providers to choose from

Cons:

• Online lenders may not always have the best customer service.
• Some lenders may charge predatory rates on bad credit car loans.

When shopping online for a car loan, we recommend you shop around and get quotes from multiple lenders. Pay special attention to fees such as prepayment penalties and origination fees. Avoid borrowing any more than you can afford so you don’t end up with a lot of secured debt that may be difficult to pay off between now and when the loan term ends.

Guaranteed Approval Loans

Many car dealerships and lenders offer guaranteed financing to borrowers with bad credit that don’t qualify for conventional loans. They may use other criteria to determine loan approvals for new car loans. 

Despite the name, these loans are not guaranteed for everyone. Although they do not require a minimum credit score or credit check, the lenders will still have eligibility requirements that you need to meet to be approved.

In most cases, lenders will look at your income, employment history, down payment, and debt-to-income ratio. It is also important to note that the interest rates you’ll qualify for will be much higher than conventional auto loans.   

Pros:

• Easier to qualify for
• No credit check required

Cons:

• Very high interest rates
• Not guaranteed for everyone
• May need a bigger down payment

If you haven’t been able to secure financing in the past and are considering guaranteed car loans, be sure to read the loan terms carefully. Compare your options, and once you take on the loan, aim to pay extra each month to pay down your debt faster.

Zero Down Payment Loans

Zero down payment car loans do exist for car buyers who need to buy a car but are short on cash. These loans are available for borrowers with good credit as well as bad credit. Zero-down car loans for bad credit can be helpful if you need a car today, but they may end up costing you more over the life of the loan. 

Without a down payment, your loan amount for a new vehicle will be more, so it may take you longer to repay it. In addition, since these loans do not require a borrower to make a monetary contribution toward the purchase of the vehicle, they represent an increased risk for the lender, so the interest rate on these loans will likely be much higher than on conventional automobile loans.

Pros:

• Good for borrowers who are short on cash
• Quick funding if you need a car immediately

Cons:

• It may end up being more expensive
• It may take you longer to pay off the loan

If you’re considering a zero-down payment bad credit car loan, get a preapproval to help narrow down a price range. Having a budget will make the process easier for you. You can also use a loan calculator to determine your monthly payments. If the amount you are approved for is not enough, consider applying with a co-signer to get better rates and qualify for a larger loan.  

Tips for Improving Your Credit Scores 

While you may be able to qualify for car loans with bad credit, the loan rates you’ll qualify for will typically be higher. If you want access to lower interest rates and more favorable terms, here are a few credit repair tips to consider.

• Get free credit report copies from the three credit bureaus- Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian, so you can take a closer look at why your FICO score is low.
• Dispute any inaccurate information you find by thoroughly reviewing your credit report. These could be because of mistakes made by financial institutions or could be because of identity theft.  
• Identify the best credit repair companies and get professional help.
• Address outstanding payments to make sure your debt doesn’t go into collections.
• Pay your bills on time so you can avoid late payments, which can lower your credit score and cost you in terms of late fees.
• Bring your credit utilization down to improve your credit score. Use less than 35% of your available credit limit.
• Consider credit counseling to address your spending habits, learn money management strategies, and develop good financial habits.  

Get a Car Loan With Bad Credit

Having a car that provides you with reliable transportation to and from work is valuable. Fortunately, your credit score doesn’t have to hold you back. Before you apply for a car loan with bad credit, review your options, read the fine print, and consider making a larger down payment so you can reduce your total loan cost.

If you are finding it challenging to afford your car loan payment, take care of your unsecured debts so you can free up some money each month, especially the credit cards and personal loans with the highest interest rates. Consider debt relief options like debt consolidation, debt settlement, and debt management plans. Get in touch with TurboDebt and take advantage of our free consultation to see how we can help you find the right debt relief option for your individual needs.