Which Credit Bureau Is Most Used For Auto Loans? (2024)

Experian and Equifax are the credit bureaus most commonly used for auto loans. They offer specialized auto lending solutions (such as Experian’s Auto Audiences) and receive a significant portion of their revenue for services associated with the auto industry. For example, the automotive industry contributed 7% of Equifax’s 2019 revenue (its fourth largest revenue segment) and 5% of Experian’s revenue for its most recent fiscal year (tied for its fifth largest revenue segment).

While Experian and Equifax are the most popular bureaus among auto lenders and car dealers, TransUnion can also be used for auto loan decisions. And the truth is, the credit bureau lenders use when evaluating your auto loan application probably will not influence their decision too much. In most cases, the contents of your major credit reports will be very similar, as will most credit scores calculated based on those reports.

It’s important to note, however, that if one or more of your credit reports is frozen, that could affect your loan application. So, it’s worth asking your lender which credit bureau they will use in their decision to determine if you need to temporarily remove your credit freeze.

Finally, remember that when you apply for an auto loan, your credit score doesn't tell the full story. Potential creditors/lenders will also look at things such as your full credit report, employment status, income, and assets.

This answer was first published on 08/07/20. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

Which Credit Bureau Is Most Used For Auto Loans? (2024)

FAQs

Which Credit Bureau Is Most Used For Auto Loans? ›

Which Credit Bureaus Are Used Most for Auto Loans? Equifax and Experian are the most commonly used credit bureaus by auto lenders. They offer services that are directed specifically at the auto industry, and each gets a portion of their revenue from the industry.

What credit bureau do most car dealerships use? ›

The three major credit bureaus are Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. The two big credit scoring models used by auto lenders are FICO® Auto Score and Vantage. We're going to take at look at FICO® since it has long been the auto industry standard.

Which FICO auto score do most lenders use? ›

The FICO auto score that lenders look at is measured using the 9 XT version of auto score measurement. This version is designed to take into account the past 30 months of credit behavior using data from TransUnion's CreditVision system.

What credit bureau score is needed to buy a car? ›

The credit score required and other eligibility factors for buying a car vary by lender and loan terms. Still, you typically need a good credit score of 661 or higher to qualify for an auto loan. About 69% of retail vehicle financing is for borrowers with credit scores of 661 or higher, according to Experian.

Which credit bureau is most accurate? ›

There is no “best” credit bureau—all three bureaus can offer helpful information and tools to help you make financial decisions.

Do car dealerships look at FICO or TransUnion? ›

Based on the length of your loan, the remaining balance, the payment history, and the monthly payment, you are given a credit score. This credit score is a measure of how “risky” it is to offer you a loan. Most car dealerships use the FICO Score 8 scale to determine your eligibility for a loan.

Do car dealerships use FICO or TransUnion? ›

Your FICO score is a three-digit number between 300 and 850, based on information gathered by the credit bureaus into your credit report. The FICO credit scoring model is the most commonly used credit scoring model by auto lenders and car dealerships and is also the oldest and first-ever credit scoring model.

Is FICO auto score 8 or 2 used? ›

FICO score 8 and 9 are commonly used for student loans, personal loans, medical loans, credit card lines and auto loans. However, there are industry-specific FICO versions for certain types of debt as well, including auto loans, credit cards and mortgage lending.

What is considered a good auto FICO score? ›

Auto Loan Debt by Credit Score
Average Auto Loan Balance By FICO® Score Range
FICO® Score RangeAverage Auto Loan Balance
Good (670-739)$24,750
Very good (740-799)$23,106
Exceptional (800-850)$20,472
2 more rows
Apr 27, 2023

What is the lowest credit score to buy a car? ›

Most used auto loans go to borrowers with minimum credit scores of at least 675. For new auto loans, most borrowers have scores of around 730. The minimum credit score needed for a new car may be around 600, but those with excellent credit often get lower rates and lower monthly payments.

What credit score do car dealers use TransUnion or Equifax? ›

Equifax and Experian are the most commonly used credit bureaus by auto lenders. They offer services that are directed specifically at the auto industry, and each gets a portion of their revenue from the industry.

How to increase FICO score? ›

6 easy tips to help raise your credit score
  1. Make your payments on time. ...
  2. Set up autopay or calendar reminders. ...
  3. Don't open too many accounts at once. ...
  4. Get credit for paying monthly utility and cell phone bills on time. ...
  5. Request a credit report and dispute any credit report errors. ...
  6. Pay attention to your credit utilization rate.

What interest rate can I get with a 700 credit score for a car? ›

Average car loan interest rates by credit score
Credit scoreAverage APR, new carAverage APR, used car
Prime: 661-780.7.01%.9.73%.
Nonprime: 601-660.9.60%.14.12%.
Subprime: 501-600.12.28%.18.89%.
Deep subprime: 300-500.14.78%.21.55%.
2 more rows
Apr 19, 2024

Which FICO score is usually the lowest? ›

What is the lowest credit score possible? Most of the credit scores that lenders use in the United States, including most versions of the FICO Score, range from 300 to 850. Therefore, most financial professionals generally accept that 300 is the lowest credit score a consumer can have.

Why is my Experian score so much higher than TransUnion? ›

Credit scoring models can weigh certain information in your reports more heavily than other credit score factors. For example, one scoring model may put more emphasis on total credit usage than others. Because there are varied scoring models, you'll likely have different scores from different providers.

What credit score does Capital One use for auto loans? ›

Capital One doesn't share specific credit score requirements. But it does state that to be eligible for a loan or refinancing, you must: Make at least $1,500 per month. Be at least 18 years old.

Which lenders use TransUnion only? ›

This depends on where you live but heres a short list ... Navy Fed, BMO harris, US Bank, Apple FCU, Teachers FCU, Elan Financial, The Apple Card, The GM card.

What is a good FICO score? ›

670-739

Is 550 a good credit score to buy a car? ›

When you have bad credit – say, a credit score around 550 – getting approved for a car loan can be difficult. While you should try for a pre-approval with your bank or credit union, you more than likely are going to need a subprime lender.

Which lenders use Equifax only? ›

Here are some of the best credit cards that may use Equifax only:
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve: $450 annual fee (excellent credit) ...
  • Citi Double Cash: $0 annual fee (good credit) ...
  • Discover it: $0 annual fee (good credit) ...
  • HSBC Premier World Mastercard: $95 annual fee, waived the first year (excellent credit)

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