How to get approved for a car loan with bad credit

You'll need to be able to give the lender an understanding of why you had missed payments or defaults.

And of course, your situation may be much better than what it was previously. You may have a new job, be earning more money, paid off some defaults and kept up with all your commitments.

You may have found yourself in the position where you need a car loan but you have a bad credit history. The question then arises... can you still get a car loan? You sure can (if you do it correctly). Not only can you get approved, you can even get a great rate. In this blog article, we’re going to show you how to do it, obstacles you may encounter and talk you through the advantages and disadvantages of bad credit car loans.

Can I get a car loan even with bad credit?

The short answer… yes!

A lot of people think that because they didn’t get approved for a home loan or they missed a phone payment once upon a time that they will have a bad credit rating when they actually don't (they actually may even have good credit). There are a variety of reasons you may not have been approved for a loan in the past, such as not having enough deposit or a high enough income. 

The good news is, just because you got rejected by a big bank doesn’t mean you will get rejected elsewhere. The big 4 banks (Commonwealth, ANZ, Westpac and NAB) are quite strict and often knock back people that multiple lenders would happily lend to. 

How to get prepared.

If you actually do have a bad credit history (you can find out more information about your credit rating here), you can still get car finance. Taking the time to understand which auto loan you want to apply for and gathering as much supporting information as you can will help your application. Supporting documents will often include pay slips, bank and credit card statements or evidence of benefit payment eligibility. 

Demonstrating good financial habits like putting money into savings regularly, may help indicate to a lender that you have the financial discipline required to pay off their loan. After considering your personal circumstances it’s time to decide whether it’s appropriate for your situation to take the next step and apply. 

Every financial institution will have different credit score requirements for their loans, so don’t be discouraged if you are rejected from the first lender you apply to. There are a lot of alternatives such as car dealership financing, rent-to-own cars or bad credit car loans.

Every financial institution will have different credit score requirements for their loans, so don’t be discouraged if you are rejected from the first lender you apply to

The Application & Loan Approval Process

What lenders look for.

Getting car finance when you have a low credit score is definitely possible - you just need to find a lender who offers bad credit financing. When assessing your application, the lender will generally consider a range of factors to decide whether you are suitable for a loan such as your credit history, any previous credit issues, current debt, the loan amounts and your income vs expenses. 

This helps them assess your financial situation and if you can cover the monthly payment (whether it's a secured car loan, a personal loan, low doc car loan or whatever you're applying for).

It’s best to have this all prepared before you apply because 1) you want to know what they are going to find and 2) it will improve your chances of success. As with anything, you’ll always want to know your monthly expenses and create a budget so you can properly manage your monthly repayment with no surprises. If you can, do your best to improve your credit score before you apply and save as much as you can for a deposit (which will also help you get approved faster).

Advantages and Disadvantages of Bad Credit Car Loans

Advantages

There are two key benefits of getting a bad credit loan. The obvious reason is… you can get a new car! Just because you may not be eligible for a bank loan does not mean you are out of options.

Secondly, you’ll actually have way more options than you thought. You might even end up with better customer service after discovering a provider whose sole purpose is to help people in your financial situation. The team will be well versed in situations similar to your own and will be flexible and understanding.

Disadvantages

The main downside of a bad credit car loan is sometimes they attract a higher interest rate, meaning higher monthly repayments.

Depending on the lender, you may also have to put up more collateral as security. Whilst there are lots of great options for poor credit finance, be careful of predatory lenders who offer bad terms in exchange for a quick fix.

The fees and interest rate associated with a bad credit car loan will vary depending on your loan term, credit, income and expenses. If you choose a reputable lending agency, they will work to ensure you are paying the lowest fees they can offer. 

You might even end up with better customer service after discovering a provider whose sole purpose is to help people in your financial situation.

What is the difference between a secured loan and an unsecured loan?

The main difference between a secured loan and an unsecured loan is whether the lender requires security. If you're a borrower looking to finance a car, a secured car loan means you actually use the car you're buying as collateral to secure better loan terms. Usually, you'll get a better interest rate and have more flexibility if it's secured against an asset (like your new car).

An unsecured loan means you're just getting the loan straight up and you get approved because you have a good credit score. The lender doesn't have any rights to your assets.

How long does it take to get a bad credit car finance?

The good news is the approval process doesn’t take any longer than a traditional loan. It can take as little as one day to get your auto loan approved depending on your situation. Make sure you’ve got all of your supporting documentation together before you apply. If you need a hand, our team is here to help!

Get a car loan with Naked Loans.

At Naked Loans, we’ve helped thousands of Australians get approved for a car loan, even with bad credit. Our team can help you get approved for a loan with a great interest rate in just 2 days. We do all the boring stuff so you can spend more time thinking about your new wheels, and make sure you have the best financing option to suit your needs.

Naked Loans has access to the lowest interest rates and best deals available in the market today. Our car loan brokers will compare options from 30+ lenders to get you the best loan possible, with repayments from as low as 3.7%. The loan application is free and doesn’t affect your credit. There’s no pressure or obligation from a salesperson, just apply and see if it’s a good fit for you! Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Application

Complete the online application form in just 10 minutes. Once complete, this gets assigned to one of our car loan brokers.

Step 2: Assessment

We prepare your car loan and send it to the lender. Once approved you choose your vehicle, and we send the invoice to the lender.

Step 3: Contracts

You sign the lender contract, we compile the docs and double-check everything, then send it back to the lender for settlement.

Step 4: Settlement

The lender settles the contract, we obtain the settlement advice, send it to you and the vendor, and then you celebrate your new car loan!

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