Reversing poor credit requires hard work, and that hard work is even more challenging when you don't have a car. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to get transportation to and from your job.
One: Have an Open Mind
With a poor credit history, you probably won't be able to secure a traditional loan, but you may have more success with bad credit car loans. These typically have higher interest rates, so be prepared to pay a little more.
Two: Stay Away From Additional Credit
One of the most common mistakes people make when using credit to make a major purchase is to open up a new credit card or account. You may want to take a look at your credit history, checking for errors and correcting inconsistencies.
Three: Be Realistic Concerning What You Can Afford
There are two important parts to this. The first is your monthly payment. Consider your most difficult months and determine how much of a payment you'd be able to make at those times. Your car payment probably shouldn't be much more than that. The second thing to consider is the overall cost of the vehicle. Consider how much you'll have to pay as a down payment, how much maintenance the vehicle will require, and how much gas and insurance will cost.
Four: Try to Find a Co-Signer
If you have a friend or family member with good credit, you can improve your chances for getting a loan. The terms of that loan will also be easier to live with. That co-signer (or co-borrower for even more benefits) will give the lender assurance that the loan will be paid, even if you struggle to make payments.
Five: Don't Settle
While being realistic about your options, you can still discuss better terms, such as the length of the loan, the interest rate, prepayment penalties, and annual percentage rate. Factors such as the prepayment penalty may be much easier to get rid of, whereas the interest rate may be harder to negotiate.
Poor credit will make obtaining a loan more difficult, but it shouldn't prevent you from getting a car. Use these tips to improve your chances.
