Buying a car with no down payment

Buying a car with no down payment

It can be extremely difficult to find a lender who accepts bad credit car loans with no down payment. Applying for loans only to end up being declined is exhausting, and by applying too often, you can even make your credit score worse in the process. To help you, Good Fellow’s Auto Wholesalers has put together this guide on how to be approved for a zero down payment car loan.

What is a Down Payment?

The purpose of a down payment is to help assure lenders that you are serious about your loan. It also protects them just in case the loan isn’t repaid. By paying a small amount upfront, your monthly payments can be brought down to a manageable level. Most car loans prefer a 20% down payment, but the average is around 12%. Although typically this type of payment is required, there are a few alternatives that will allow you to drive away without needing to offer a down payment.

Improve Your Credit

One way to get a car loan without a down payment is to apply when you have a good credit score. Lenders are more inclined to offer better terms to applicants with a strong credit history and score. Generally, a score of 680 and up are required to secure a zero down payment car loan with a good interest rate. If your score is less than 680, it’s a good idea to increase your score before applying for a lona.

Use a Cosigner

The best way to get approved for a bad credit car loan with a low or $0 down payment is to find someone with a higher credit score that you can use as a cosigner, such as a friend or parent. The person who signs with you will share ownership and payment responsibility, so it is important to pay your bills on time every month.

Qualifying for a Zero Down Payment Auto Finance

No down payment loans present the highest risk for lenders. Before an applicant’s approval, their risk levels will need to be assessed. Our auto finance experts will mainly review your credit history and your income when you apply. We do this to ensure that you can afford your monthly loan payments easily. An average car loan payment should never be more than 10% of your monthly gross pay. The more you make, the more likely it is you will be approved for a no down payment loan.

There are many reasons for wanting a car loan with no down payment, but the most common is for its affordability. However, being able to afford a car loan is more than just tossing money down for the down payment. The value of the car and the monthly payments also play a big part in the loan approval. Cars that are fairly priced and likely to maintain a steady value will have a higher chance of being approved for car loans than those which are not.

For applicants that have bad credit and are seeking an auto loan with no down payment, the process is a bit different. The car chosen will have to be considered affordable, and if it is a used car, the mileage and year of the car will be taken into account. The lender will consider all of these factors when choosing whether or not to approve your no down payment car loan.

Why Choose Us?

Many traditional lenders such as banks will only offer no down payment loans to applicants with stellar credit. However, while a steady income is important for a no down payment car loan, not everyone has perfect credit. If you are looking to secure a loan for your new car but have less than perfect credit, Good Fellow’s Auto Wholesalers can help you. Give our auto loan experts a call at 1 (855) 581-9590, and we’d be happy to discuss your options with you.

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Buying a car with no down payment

Unless you live in a city where you can rely completely on public transportation, owning a car is a necessity. But buying a reliable vehicle doesn’t come cheap.

Buying a car with no down payment

As of July 2022, the average price for a new car is $48,000 and the average price for a used car is $33,000. That kind of price tag is out of reach for most car buyers unless they can take out an auto loan.

How Can I Get a Car With Bad Credit and No Money Down?

Two things prevent most consumers from buying a new car. They either have bad credit, or they can’t afford a down payment. And for some consumers, it’s a combination of the two.

Fortunately, some lenders are willing to give auto loans to less creditworthy consumers. Here are the top five bad credit auto loans for consumers with no down payment.

Top 5 Bad Credit Auto Loans

Auto Credit Express

Overview

How it Works

Auto Credit Express is an online marketplace that connects you with more than 1,200 auto dealerships and lenders. These lenders offer auto financing on new and used cars to borrowers with bad credit. The company will even work with borrowers who have gone through bankruptcy.

You can use the company’s Auto Loan Estimator to see how much you can expect to be approved for. From there, you can apply online or over the phone.

Requirements

  • Located in the U.S. or Canada
  • Employed full-time with an income of at least $1,500 per month
  • You have or can apply for auto insurance
  • Have a working phone number
  • Can show proof of residency

Advantages

Choosing Auto Credit Express automatically increases your odds of qualifying for a car loan simply because they work with so many lenders. Dealers in their network offer no-money-down car loans up to $35,000, and the company does allow cosigners.

Applying is quick and easy. And Auto Credit Express does a soft pull on your credit report so your credit score won’t be affected.

Disadvantages

If you have a slightly better credit score, you may save money by working with a credit union or bank instead. And while Auto Credit Express won’t do a hard pull on your credit, one of their lenders might.

Car.Loan.com

Overview

How it Works

Car.Loan.com is a lending marketplace that will match you with subprime lenders. They have no credit score requirements and are willing to work with subprime borrowers. You can buy, lease, or rent a new or used car through Car.Loan.com.

To get started, you’ll follow the company’s four-step process. First, you’ll apply online then the company will match you with a lender or dealership. Next, you’ll choose the car that best meets your needs, and once you’re approved, you can drive away in your new car.

Requirements

  • You must be a U.S. citizen
  • Borrowers must be employed full-time or have a guaranteed fixed income
  • You must be at least 18 to apply

Advantages

Car.Loan.com offers bad credit car loans to subprime borrower even if they’ve gone through bankruptcy. And working with a lending marketplace will save you from applying with numerous lenders. And the company doesn’t put any mileage restrictions on the vehicle you purchase.

Disadvantages

Working with a lending marketplace like Car.Loan.com doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to be offered the best deal. For example, you could receive interest rates as high as 25% as well as hefty dealership fees.

Carvana

Overview

How it Works

Carvana’s unique value proposition is that you can take out a loan, choose a vehicle, and buy a car all in one place. The company has a large selection of used cars you can choose from, and there is no minimum credit score to apply.

To get started, you’ll fill out a quick survey of what you’re looking for in a car. You can get pre-qualified for an auto loan in 2 minutes. Carvana will then match you to several vehicles.

Once you’ve chosen a vehicle, they’ll run a soft pull on your credit to preapprove you for an auto loan. Once you finalize the loan application, Carvana will do a hard pull on your credit.

Requirements

  • Borrowers must be at least 18
  • Have an annual income of at least $4,000
  • No active bankruptcies
  • The loan amount must be $1,000 or higher

Advantages

Carvana offers fast approval for borrowers with a poor credit history and no down payment. In addition, the online process is easy, and you could qualify for a car loan in as little as 48 hours.

Carvana’s customer service available seven days a week.

Disadvantages

Carvana has a maximum APR that is higher than other lenders. You can only finance vehicles sold through Carvana. Unfortunately, Carvana is not available to residents of Hawaii and Alaska.

myAutoloan

Overview

How it Works

When you apply for an auto loan with myAutoloan, you’ll receive quotes from multiple lenders who are willing to work with you. If you apply with a creditworthy cosigner, you’ll receive more favorable rates. Any loan offers you receive will last for up to 30 days. However, you’re not required to choose any offers you receive.

Requirements

  • The vehicle can’t be more than 10 years old
  • The maximum vehicle mileage is 125,000 miles
  • You must have a minimum credit score of 500
  • You must have an income of at least $1,800 per month
  • Borrowers from Hawaii or Alaska aren’t eligible

Advantages

Unlike many of the online lenders on this list, myAutoloan.com shares information about their rates online. This means you can better understand what kind of auto loan you’ll qualify for before you apply.

And the company allows you to apply with a cosigner, so this is a good way for borrowers with bad credit to get a better interest rate.

Disadvantages

The company does have a minimum credit score, so if your credit score is below 500, you’ll need to choose a different option. And myAutoloan puts restrictions on the type of vehicle you’re able to purchase.

RoadLoans

Buying a car with no down payment

Overview

How it Works

RoadLoans is an online lending platform that matches borrowers with bad credit scores to lenders who offer new and used car loans. The company works with more than 14,000 car dealerships nationwide.

You can apply online with RoadLoans in less than 10 minutes and receive a lending decision instantly. You’ll fill out the company’s one-page lending application and then receive offers from interested lenders.

Requirements

  • Borrowers must be at least 18 to apply
  • Lending isn’t available for borrowers in Alaska, Hawaii, Mississippi, Nevada, or New Hampshire
  • You must have a minimum income of $1,800 per month
  • The minimum loan amount is $5,000

Advantages

There are no credit requirements to apply for a car loan through RoadLoans. And the company may be a good choice if you were hoping to get a no-money-down car loan from a dealership. RoadLoans doesn’t charge any fees, and the application process is fairly straightforward.

Disadvantages

If you have less than average credit, you will likely end up with a high interest rate and fees. And RoadLoans won’t be an option for you if you live in one of the states they aren’t available in.

Summary

Thanks to these types of online marketplaces, borrowers looking for bad credit auto loans with no down payment have more lending options than ever. This means you don’t have to be limited by poor financial decisions you made in the past.

However, it’s important to know what you’re getting into before taking out an auto loan. Compare offers from multiple lenders and make sure you can afford to make the monthly payments. And most importantly, begin taking steps to improve your credit score.

Buying a car with no down payment

Meet the author

Jamie Johnson is a freelance writer who has been featured in publications like InvestorPlace and GOBankingRates. She writes about various personal finance topics including student loans, credit cards, investing, building credit, and more.

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How can I get a car without a downpayment?

Consider a Cosigner It might get you out of the down payment, though it only helps you lower your interest somewhat, since lenders realize that the car is usually for the person with the weaker score and typically offers an annual percentage rate (APR) that hovers around the median range.

What credit score is needed to buy a car with no money down?

Generally speaking, banks require a minimum credit score of 600 to give an auto loan without any down payment. However, you CAN buy a car with a score of 400 or a score of 850. There are a lot of variables that weigh into determining your loan eligibility and interest rates available.

Why should you not put a downpayment on a car?

We're outlining four reasons you might have for not making a down payment, and what the possible outcomes could be..
"I have enough cash to pay for the vehicle outright." ... .
"A down payment doesn't make a big difference." ... .
"They're asking for too much money upfront." ... .
"I need a car now, and don't have time to save for one.".

Can I get a car with 500 credit score with no money down?

It's possible to get a car loan with a credit score of 500, but it'll cost you. People with credit scores of 500 or lower received an average rate of 13.97% for new-car loans and 20.67% for used-car loans in the second quarter of 2020, according to the Experian State of the Automotive Finance Market report.