 TITLE: What Is the Best Time of Year to Lease a Car? CONTENT: What Credit Score Do You Need to Lease a Car?\n---------------------------------------------\nIn most cases, you'll have an easier time leasing a car if you have a good credit score, which means a FICO® Score of 670 or higher. A good or excellent credit score generally qualifies you for a lower money factor, which can reduce your monthly lease payment.\nIf your FICO® Score is fair (between 580 and 669) or poor (579 and under), you'll find it more difficult to lease a car. If you do qualify for a lease, it will likely come with a costlier money factor. You might have more restrictions on your lease, higher fees and a more limited selection of vehicles to choose from. The leasing company will require you to buy auto insurance coverage to protect the vehicle, and poor credit can make auto insurance more expensive in most states.\nSome lease companies lease used cars, and these leases can be easier to qualify for with poor credit. However, driving a new car is a key benefit of leasing, so leasing a used car might defeat the purpose. If your credit is poor, it's often easier and more affordable to get a loan for a used car than it is to lease a new one.\nIf you do lease a car, managing your lease payments responsibly can help improve your credit. As with car loans, lease companies report your monthly payments to the major credit reporting agencies. If you make your monthly payments on time, you'll help to build a credit history and potentially lift your credit score. A late or missed payment will hurt your credit score, so be sure to stay on top of your lease payments. END