There are a variety of traditional banks, credit unions and online lenders who specialize in auto loans for borrowers with poor credit, so it is advisable to shop around to find the most competitive rates and terms.

Lenders generally charge higher interest rates and fees to those with poor credit, but there are steps you can take to increase your odds of approval and obtain better terms.

1. Look for Lenders That Accept Co-signers

There are lenders who specialize in car loans for people with poor credit, often offering auto loans for those with FICO scores as low as 580. Before applying, however, it’s important to research individual lender terms to make sure you’re not dealing with an illegal predatory lender that charges triple-digit interest rates or pressures you into acting immediately.

Cosigners, who agree to make payments on your loan if you become unable to do so yourself, can increase your approval odds and help secure more affordable auto loans with better terms. It is also wise to shop around and consider making a large down payment to reduce both loan amount and monthly payment – this may reduce risk and save thousands overall over its lifespan.

2. Shop Around

Finding financing may seem impossible with poor credit, but lenders still provide financing solutions – the key being shopping around to get the best rates and terms possible.

Apply for pre-approval with multiple lenders in order to compare rates and costs more easily. Keep in mind, however, that multiple inquiries into your credit can lower it; so spread them out over several weeks or so.

Preapproved car loan offers are also a great way to ease pressure when visiting a dealer’s finance department, helping you negotiate better pricing and focus on finding your ideal car. Furthermore, preapproval can reduce interest rates significantly and your overall borrowing costs.

3. Make a Larger Down Payment

Bad credit can make auto financing challenging, but consumers shouldn’t hesitate to shop around and look for lenders who specialize in bad credit auto loan financing.

Addition of a cosigner or making a larger down payment can help borrowers with poor credit get approved more easily and secure more favorable loan terms, including lower interest rates that can save thousands over the life of their loan.

Borrowers with bad credit can find car financing from banks, credit unions and online lenders who specialize in loaning to those with low credit scores. Since these lenders may be less restrictive than dealer finance offices, it’s wise to shop around – this means comparing offers from multiple lenders so as to secure the best rate possible.

4. Borrow as Little as Possible

Lenders usually prefer that you borrow less than the current value of the car you want to buy, thereby avoiding an expensive loan-to-value ratio and saving on interest rates. Over time, improving your credit score and building a positive payment history could enable you to secure an auto loan at a more reasonable interest rate.

Prior to applying for an auto loan, it’s wise to compare lenders’ offers in order to find one with the best rates and terms available. Doing this may save time by helping avoid unnecessary credit checks that temporarily lower your score and lenders that take advantage of those with poor credit by charging higher interest rates and adding hidden fees into the contract agreement.

5. Avoid Buy-Here-Pay-Here Dealerships

Buy here pay here (BHPH) loans typically carry much higher interest rates than banks and credit unions, potentially costing thousands in extra interest over the life of the loan.

BHPH dealerships may seem like an efficient solution for purchasing and financing a car, but should only be considered as a last resort. They tend to inflate prices of used vehicles while failing to report timely payments to credit bureaus can hinder efforts to build credit.

If your bad credit prevents you from qualifying for auto loans, try shopping around online lenders instead. They might offer better terms and lower rates than dealerships or BHPH lenders – just make sure that the number of applications submitted doesn’t cause hard inquiries to appear on your credit report!