what is good credit for buying a car

[Chloe]

A good credit score for buying a car is generally considered to be 661 or higher. This score typically qualifies you for the best available interest rates from lenders. The most commonly used scoring model is the FICO® Score, which breaks down into several tiers that directly impact your auto loan terms.

Credit Score Range (FICO®)	Credit Rating	Typical Impact on Auto Loan
781 - 850	Excellent	Qualifies for the absolute best (prime) rates.
661 - 780	Good	Likely to get favorable rates, strong approval odds.
601 - 660	Fair	Subprime rates; higher interest, may require larger down payment.
500 - 600	Poor	Deep subprime; high interest, approval is challenging.
300 - 499	Very Poor	Extremely difficult to secure traditional financing.

Scores in the "Good" to "Excellent" range signal to lenders that you're a low-risk borrower. This translates directly into lower monthly payments and less money paid over the life of the loan. For example, on a $30,000 loan over 60 months, a borrower with a 720 score might get a 5% APR, while someone with a 620 score could be offered a 12% APR—a difference of thousands of dollars.

It's crucial to check your score from all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) before you shop. If your score is below 661, you can still get a car loan, but you should focus on improving your credit or shopping for lenders who specialize in working with borrowers with lower scores to avoid excessively high costs.

[AlainaMarie]

You want to be in the 660s or higher. That's the sweet spot. When I bought my truck last year, my score was a 720, and I had three different dealerships competing for my loan. It gave me real negotiating power. The lower your score, the more the interest adds up, turning a decent car payment into a burden. Check your score for free online before you even step on a lot.

[IrisDella]

Think of it as a financial report card. Lenders see a score above 660 as an "A" student—they trust you to pay them back. This trust means they reward you with lower interest rates. If your score is lower, they see more risk, so they charge you more to borrow the money. It's not just about getting approved; it's about how much you'll ultimately pay. A few points can make a huge difference in your monthly budget.

[Ezra]

I always tell my friends to aim for at least 661. That's the line between "good" and "fair" credit. If you're below that, you're looking at significantly higher interest rates. It's worth taking a few months to improve your score by paying down credit card balances and fixing any errors on your report. The money you save on interest can be substantial, enough for a nice family vacation instead of going to the bank.

[OMargaret]

From my experience, a good credit score for an auto loan starts at 661. But the real goal should be to get into the prime category, which is around 721 and up. That's when you unlock the most competitive offers. The difference between a 680 and a 750 score might not seem big, but it can easily mean a 1-2% lower APR. On a five-year loan, that saving is real money. Always get pre-approved by your bank or credit union first so you know your standing.