 TITLE: Can I Get a Car Loan With a 600 Credit Score? CONTENT: How to Improve Your Credit Score Before Applying for an Auto Loan\n-----------------------------------------------------------------\nYou may not know which credit scoring model an auto lender will use when reviewing your application, but they all tend to reflect credit behavior in similar ways. Checking your credit scores as well as your credit report will give you a sense of whether lenders will view you as a good borrower or a credit risk. If you discover that your score is 600 or lower, and have some time, take these steps to improve your credit score before you apply for a car loan.\n*   **Bring any late accounts current right away.** Going forward, make sure to pay all your bills on time. If you tend to forget due dates, set up automatic payments to help you stay on track. Payment history accounts for about 35% of your FICO® Score.\n*   **Pay down existing debt.** Your credit utilization ratio reflects how much of the credit available to you you're actually using. Aim to get this ratio to 30% or less, but the lower, the better. Keep your credit card use to a minimum and pay off your balances in full every month.\n*   **If you pay off a credit card, don't close the account.** Keep it open, even if you don't plan to use it in the future. This can help to reduce your credit utilization ratio, increase the length of your credit history and improve your credit mix, all of which contribute to a good credit score.\n*   **Don't apply for new credit.** Every application for credit creates a hard inquiry on your credit report. Hard inquiries on your credit report negatively affect your scores slightly, but will drop out of your score calculations after a year.\n*   **Sign up for Experian Boost™† .** This free service adds your on-time phone, utility and similar payments to your Experian credit history. These payments aren't normally included on your credit report, but including them can help to raise your credit score.\n*   **Monitor your credit****.** Keeping a close eye on your credit can help you spot any issues before they start to drag down your scores. Experian's free credit monitoring services can alert you if you start charging too much on your credit card or if you've potentially been defrauded.\nGet the Best Car Loan\n---------------------\nNo matter what your credit score is, shopping around for a car loan and comparing what each lender has to offer is a smart move. Knowing your credit score before you start researching makes it easier to narrow down the types of loans you may qualify for. A credit score of 600 won't necessarily keep you from getting an auto loan, but it's likely to make that loan more expensive. Taking steps to improve your score before you apply for a car loan can put you in the driver's seat and make it easier to negotiate the best possible loan terms. END