Another reason why consumers may have trouble obtaining excellent automobile finance is that they have a bad credit history. Even if you qualify for a program, your interest rate could be higher than those with better credit scores. Here’s how to boost your credit score for car financing.
Check your credit score
There are numerous credit rating agencies, but the three most popular ones are Equifax, Experian, and Callcredit. Each firm offers consumers the opportunity to obtain a copy of their personal credit file by phone or online.
You can also contact them directly if you find any mistakes in your report. However, responses may not be immediate as a result of this procedure, so be aware that credit issues on your report could harm your score.
Read more here, ‘Is there a minimum credit score for a car loan in Australia?’
Get up to date on your existing debt obligations
If you’ve previously missed credit or loan payments, this data will be reflected on your credit report. Any bad entries will fall off your record after six years if you’re current with payments now.
If you have a poor payment history and want to raise your credit score before obtaining a vehicle loan, focus on paying off your debts on time and in full. You may also assist your cause by taking out a household utility bill in your own name. The more consistent payments you have on file, the better since it demonstrates to lenders that if you apply for a car loan, you will be able to repay it. For more information check out how to pay off loans faster here for a comprehensive overview.
Avoid applying for too many credit agreements
If you apply for too many credit applications in a short period of time, your “credit scoring points” will be reduced. If lenders aren’t aware of your history or finances, they may reject your application because they’ll be concerned that you’ve attempted to borrow more than is acceptable. Only apply for vehicle finance when you’re ready, and if you do need to apply for additional credit, spread it out over time.
Go online
Many customers prefer to conduct a car loan search on an online comparison site because it makes it easier to locate better deals. There are many options, so shop around for the best pricing.
Check your driving record
If you know there are errors on your report or have another problem with bad credit history, but believe that lenders will not take you seriously because of how it has been recorded, consider consulting a credit repair service.