At AutoFair Ford of Manchester, we're here to help all of our customers get into the vehicle they need, regardless of their credit score. Even if you have yet to establish a credit history, we'll be happy to work with you and find a solution for your financial situation. We'll provide some information on this page to answer a few common credit-related questions. After that, we welcome you to contact our financing department with more specific questions.

 


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What is considered a bad credit score?

Credit scores range from 300 to 850, with the lower figures indicating worse credit than higher ones. A score within the 300-579 range is considered to be "poor."

There are three national credit report services (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) where you can obtain your credit score, and you're entitled to one free copy of your credit report every calendar year. There are also websites that will show you your credit score at no cost.


What can I do to improve my credit score?

There are a few things you can do to increase your score, starting with paying off as much debt as possible and making sure to pay your bills on time. Be sure to check your credit report thoroughly so that you can identify and correct any errors on it. Resist opening any new credit accounts that you don't absolutely need and save any potential credit for what you must have: a vehicle.


What do I need to do before I apply for a loan?

Look closely (and honestly) at your finances and decide how much of a car payment you can truly afford. Then, determine how much money you can put down. The larger your down payment, the less you'll need to finance - and having to borrow less will open more lending doors for you (besides lowering your monthly payments). If your available funds for a down payment seem low, see if you can put off buying a vehicle for a few more weeks so you can save more money.


What if I do need a car immediately?

If you don't have time to improve your credit score before purchasing a vehicle, there are still options that can help you get approved. Do you have a close friend or relative with a good credit score who's willing to cosign for you? A cosigner agrees to pay the lender if you're unable to, ultimately reducing the risk for the lender. That said, if you don't pay your loan on time, it can negatively impact the cosigner's credit score. Since that's a risk not everyone is willing to take, don't take it personally if the person you ask to cosign tells you no.


Are there really lenders out there who will approve somebody with a low credit score?

Yes, there certainly are. The experienced Financing Team at AutoFair Ford in Manchester has built excellent relationships with lenders over the years, and we'll work hard together to find you a solution, even without a cosigner. Even if you've been turned down, you can apply for a subprime loan, which will carry a higher interest rate but will get you into a vehicle. Once you secure your financing, you can work to pay the loan off early, which will reduce the amount of time that you'll have to pay that higher interest. Or, after you've made your payments on time for a while and your credit score has inched upward, you can look in to refinancing the loan at a lower APR.

Common Credit Issues

The state of today's economy has resulted in many people living in the southern New Hampshire area to experience bad credit. Because of this, our team at AutoFair Ford of Manchester wants to help the members of our community get their credit scores back up. How can we do this? By securing you an auto loan with a manageable interest rate. That way, you'll be able to make consistent payments, which will effectively boost your credit score. It can be difficult to find an auto loan if you have bad credit, but let us be the first to tell you that it's not impossible. With that said, we encourage you to come on over to AutoFair Ford of Manchester today and visit our financial department. We have plenty of experience serving those who have dealt with financial hardship, and we're confident that we can serve you too.

Frequent Causes of Poor Credit

Bad credit can rear its ugly head out of nowhere in all manner of situations, but there are some that we see at AutoFair Ford of Manchester more often than others. Check out the list below to see some of the most frequent causes of poor credit, and what we can do to help you through them.  

Foreclosure

This is probably the most heartbreaking situation we see among our customers, and one that we take very seriously. If you have recently lost your home to foreclosure, then let AutoFair Ford of Manchester's financial experts help you improve your credit with a manageable auto loan.

Bankruptcy

You may not realize it, but bankruptcy is rather common, especially with the way the economy is today. For those in search of a fresh start, there's hardly a better way to build back your credit than with an auto loan. Learn more by meeting with one of our well-trained financial advisors today.

Divorce

As devastating as it is, divorce is surprisingly common. On top of everything you're already dealing with, taking out an auto loan is probably the last thing on your mind; however, if you're suffering from poor credit as a result of your divorce, this may be one of the simplest ways to give it a boost. Schedule an appointment with our finance professionals today to learn how an auto loan might be able to help you.

Missing a Bill

Sometime or another, you're probably going to miss a loan payment. If this happens, don't assume that it's the end of the world. It only becomes a problem when you make a habit of it. If you're having trouble managing your finances and want to better organize yourself so that you can ensure payments are made on time, then sit down and have a chat with one of our financial professionals.

First-Time Buyers

If you're a young first-time car buyer, chances are you haven't established credit. Not having credit can make it difficult to take out loans on other things in life, but at AutoFair Ford of Manchester, we understand that everyone needs to start somewhere. Let us help you find an auto loan so you can begin building your credit ASAP.

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