 TITLE: Does Leasing a Car Build Credit? CONTENT: Can You Lease a Car With Bad Credit?\n------------------------------------\nAuto leasing companies generally look for consumers who have good credit or better, so it'll be challenging to lease a car with bad credit. You'll generally have a better chance of securing an auto loan, albeit with a high interest rate.\nIf you're dead set on leasing instead of buying, though, here are some things you could do to potentially improve your chances for approval:\n*   **Make a down payment.** If you're trying to make up for a poor credit score, a large down payment on a lease could show that you're serious about meeting the terms of the agreement. The upfront money also reduces the risk the lender takes on, making the arrangement more appealing.\n*   **Consider a cosigner.** If you can't get approved on your own and don't have enough cash for a down payment, consider asking a family member to cosign the lease with you. By cosigning, they agree to make payments if you can't, but you'll want to make sure it never comes to that to preserve your credit and your personal relationship.\n*   **Improve your debt-to-income ratio.** Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), which is the percentage of your gross monthly income that goes toward your monthly debt obligations, is an important aspect leasing companies consider. By paying down other debts and reducing your DTI, you'll free up more cash flow, which makes it easier to make your monthly lease payments. END