 TITLE: Should You Get a Cosigner on a Car Loan? CONTENT: How to Raise Your Credit Score for Future Car Loans\n---------------------------------------------------\nIn an ideal scenario, you'd be able to qualify for an auto loan without a cosigner. But asking a trusted relative or friend to vouch for you can help you purchase a vehicle you need to get to work, which will allow you to steadily build your credit profile and grow your income—two major factors in ultimately qualifying for financing on your own.\nThere are other ways to build your credit as well, including:\n*   Paying down other debts, such as credit cards or personal loans\n*   Taking care of any past-due accounts and charge-offs\n*   Making sure all bills are paid on time\n*   Limiting the number of new credit cards and loans you open\nSaving up for a down payment on a car can also help you qualify, and it reduces the size of the loan you'll need and the total amount of interest you'll pay. You can set a savings goal for a new car each month so that you'll have a sizable down payment by the time you're ready to buy another car. The bigger your down payment, the smaller your loan will be, which has numerous benefits, including a lower monthly payment.\nAs you prepare to apply for a car loan, it's important to make sure you understand what's in your credit file. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to get a free copy of your credit report from all three credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax). You can sign up to view your credit score for free through Experian as well. Experian also offers free credit monitoring, which alerts you anytime your credit score or account balances change. This gives you insight into your credit at all times, giving you more control as you focus on raising your score.\nIf you feel your credit score needs a lift, consider signing up for Experian Boost™† , which can help raise the credit scores based on your Experian credit report instantly by including bill payment history for your utility, cellphone and streaming accounts. END