Is 710 a Good Credit Score to Get a Car Loan? | Green Light Auto Credit (2024)

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Is 710 a Good Credit Score to Get a Car Loan? | Green Light Auto Credit? ›

Green Light Auto Credit's ideal credit range is 600, which means a 710 credit score is extremely favorable when you work with us, but other lenders might have different criteria.

Car loans. A 710 credit score should look acceptable at the car lot. If you're financing a used car, though, you might pay 9.73% in interest while your neighbor with a score north of 780 pays 7.66%, according to Experian's State of the Automotive Finance Market report for the fourth quarter of 2023.

You can borrow $50,000 - $100,000+ with a 710 credit score. The exact amount of money you will get depends on other factors besides your credit score, such as your income, your employment status, the type of loan you get, and even the lender.

What interest rate can I get with a 700 credit score for a car? Having a 700 credit score puts you in the “prime” category for borrowing. According to Experian, the average rates for this category are 6.44% for new-car loans and 9.06% for used-car loans.

710 Credit Score: What You Need to Know. If your credit score is 710, you are right in the middle. According to Experian, the average American consumer has a FICO Score of 714 as of 2021, and anything in the range of 670 to 739 is generally considered to be a good credit score.

The base FICO score is also called FICO Score 8 or 9. It's not designed specifically for auto loans, but many lenders use it. It's a number between 300 and 850, and a higher score means that a person is more likely to make loan payments on time.

You will likely need a credit score of at least 580 for a $50,000 personal loan, along with enough income to afford the monthly payments. Other common loan requirements include being at least 18 years old, having a valid bank account, and being a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or visa holder.

Why is Credit Karma out of 710? ›

Basically, each credit reference agency has a slightly different formula it uses to calculate your score. Credit Karma uses the credit reference agency TransUnion, which scores out of 710.

Pay on Time, Every Time

Your payment history is the most important factor in determining your credit score. Making on-time payments every month is crucial to getting your credit score above 700. If you have some late payments on your credit report, it may make it more difficult to build your credit score.

The credit score required and other eligibility factors for buying a car vary by lender and loan terms. Still, you typically need a good credit score of 661 or higher to qualify for an auto loan. About 69% of retail vehicle financing is for borrowers with credit scores of 661 or higher, according to Experian.

As far as qualifying, you'll often need good or better credit (a FICO score above 670), and a stable income source that shows you can afford the payments. Annual percentage rates (APRs) for personal loans typically range from around 6% to 36%, depending on your credit profile and other factors.

According to our research, you shouldn't spend more than 10% to 15% of your net monthly income on car payments. Your total vehicle costs, including loan payments and insurance, should total no more than 20%.

A 72-month auto loan isn't always the best option. Compared to a 60-month loan, you'll pay interest for another 12 months, which increases the overall cost of borrowing. A 72-month auto loan also puts you more at risk of being upside-down on the loan, which is owing more than your vehicle is worth.

Most used auto loans go to borrowers with minimum credit scores of at least 675. For new auto loans, most borrowers have scores of around 730. The minimum credit score needed for a new car may be around 600, but those with excellent credit often get lower rates and lower monthly payments.

The “prime range” runs from 661 through 780. If your credit score is anywhere between 700 to 709, you are in the middle of this segment, and you can get competitive rates to finance your vehicle. However, these depend on your shopping habits, income, and debt-to-income ratio.

A target credit score of 661 or above should get you a new-car loan with an annual percentage rate of around 7.01% or better, or a used-car loan around 9.73% or lower. Superprime: 781-850. 5.64%.