 TITLE: How to Get Your Credit Ready to Buy a Car CONTENT: 1\\. Check Your Credit Report and Scores\n---------------------------------------\nIt's possible to get a car loan even with a less-than-ideal credit score, but lenders may charge you a higher interest rate or require someone to cosign on the loan with you. Checking your credit report and credit score will show you where you stand.\nWhat's a good credit score? Lenders' standards vary, but many lenders prefer borrowers to have a score of at least 700 on the FICO® Score☉ range of 300 to 850. A good FICO® Score ranges from 670 to 739; a score from 740 to 799 is considered very good; and a score of 800 or more is considered exceptional. Auto lenders use a specialized credit scoring model that differs from the standard FICO® Score. However, general-use scores and auto lending-specific scores are influenced by similar factors, so if you have a good FICO 8 Score, it's likely you'll also have a good automotive-focused credit score.\nYou can check your credit score for free through Experian. When you do, take a look at the listed risk factors to see what might be holding your score back. Addressing risk factors, such as high credit utilization, can help you improve your scores.\nIn addition to checking your credit score, you should also check your credit reports with all three credit reporting agencies (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax). You can check your credit reports for free once a week through April 2021 at AnnualCreditReport.com. Review the reports to ensure all the information is accurate. If you find anything wrong, contact the appropriate credit bureau to dispute the error and see if it can be corrected.\nBut what if your credit score still isn't where you'd like it to be? Taking the following steps below can help you improve your credit score and enhance your chances of qualifying for an auto loan. END