What credit score do dealerships look at when financing a car?

Written by Editorial Team | Last Updated: August 2026

Auto dealerships and automotive lenders primarily evaluate borrowers using specialized industry-specific FICO Auto Scores (which range from 250 to 900) alongside standard base FICO scores from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. While buyers can secure auto financing with fair or subprime scores (below 600), lenders reserve their lowest interest rates and best financing terms for applicants with scores of 700 or higher.

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