Bad Credit Auto Financing

Having bad credit can make it challenging to get financed for a reliable vehicle. But at Westlie Ford in Washougal, we understand bad credit happens to good people. That's why we work with local credit unions through CUDL that offer auto loans to applicants with poor credit.

If you have bad credit, don't assume you can't get approved for a car loan. At Westlie Ford, we have access to lending programs that say yes when others say no. Here is an overview of how our bad credit auto financing process works and how we can help get you driving, even with less-than-perfect credit.

We can work with all kinds of credit situations:

• Poor credit (scores below 580)
• Fair credit (580 - 669)
• Subprime (670 - 719)

In fact, we have special relationships with lenders that provide auto financing to customers with scores as low as 500. So we encourage you to apply, even if you have poor credit scores.

When our finance team submits your application to our network of special finance lenders, here is what they primarily look for:

• Your credit score - while not great, it just has to meet their minimum
• Your down payment amount - the more you put down, the better
• Proof of steady income - enough to afford the monthly payments
• A possible co-signer, if needed

As long as you can meet the lender's requirements, we can usually get an approval for you.

If your credit score is on the lower side, take these steps when applying to increase your odds of getting financed:

• Put down a larger down payment of 20% or more
• Provide ample proof of your stable income
• Bring in a co-signer with established credit if possible
• Apply for one of our quality, budget-friendly used vehicles

Taking these actions shows lenders you are financially committed and can handle the loan responsibility.

The advantage of shopping with us at Westlie Ford is that we are a CUDL dealer, giving us access to auto financing from local credit unions. Credit unions offer great loan rates and are often more likely to approve those with poor credit.

We will submit your application through our CUDL network to find the right credit union to approve you. And because we have access to so many credit union lending partners, we can usually find you the most competitive loan terms and monthly payments for your situation.

It's always a good idea to check your credit score from all three bureaus before applying for any auto loan.

Use sites like Credit Karma or myFICO to get free estimated scores. These are typically close to your real scores but may be off by a bit. Remember these are just estimates. Getting a sense of your credit score ahead of time allows you to set proper expectations on interest rates and approval odds when applying for a car loan. By law you can get one free credit report showing your real FICO score every 12 months. Checking your score via sites like Credit Karma does not negatively impact your credit.

Knowing your latest credit score helps you be prepared when you apply for financing. Please ask us if you need help checking your credit before starting the application process!

The first step is to come to our dealership or apply for a credit application online for free. This allows us to verify your information and credit so we can start presenting your case to our lending partners right away.

Once approved, we will go over the loan terms and payments and help you pick out the perfect new or used car near Vancouver, WA. Before you know it, you'll be driving home your new vehicle thanks to our bad credit auto financing options.

Don't let poor credit stop you from getting the car you need. Our finance specialists are experts at helping applicants with credit challenges get approved for auto loans. If you have any questions, contact us! We are more than happy to help. We look forward to seeing you at Westlie Ford in Washougal, WA and getting you back on the road!