Car dealers want you to finance through them because they often have the opportunity to make a profit by increasing the annual percentage rate (APR) on customers’ auto loans. But they also have relationships with multiple lenders and car manufacturers.

In general, you can usually get lower interest rates on a new car through a dealer than on a used car. In fact, some dealers may offer promotional financing on brand-new models, including rates as low as 0% APR to those who qualify.

Interest rate markups Since the dealer is acting as a middle man, its compensation for securing the loan is often reflected in the amount of interest you pay. This may result in higher interest rates, which reflect the lender’s risk and the lack of competitive offers from other lenders.

The Credit Score Car Dealers Really Use. Your credit score is a 3-digit number that lenders use to estimate how likely you are to repay debt, such as an auto loan or home mortgage. A higher score makes it easier to qualify for a loan and can result in a better interest rate. Most credit scores range from 300 to 850.

While the answer to “can you be denied a car loan after pre-approval?” is, “yes, but rarely,” when it does occur it’s often based on a delineated time frame. The fine print likely stipulates that the lender actually has 30 days to decide whether or not to approve the loan.

Being refused car finance because of bad credit is one of the most common reasons. Lots of things can impact your credit score – missing debt repayments, going over your credit limit, having an outstanding CCJ, declaring bankruptcy or holding a joint account with a partner with a low score.

A missed section, some incorrect information, a missing form or another mistake can mean your loan is ultimately denied. Bad credit. Bad credit is a common reason for auto loan denial. A score below 670 is usually considered a bad credit score, and this damages lenders’ trust in your ability to pay off a loan.

Once you get preapproved for a car loan, you’ll be able to start shopping for a car that meets your needs and preferences. Your lender will give you a total amount that you can spend along with the interest rate and repayment terms for your loan.

A question many buyers have is whether a lender pulls your credit more than once during the purchase process. The answer is yes. Lenders pull borrowers’ credit at the beginning of the approval process, and then again just prior to closing.

A good rule of thumb for a down payment on a car loan is 20 percent of the purchase price. A down payment of 20 percent or more is a good way to avoid being “upside-down” on your car loan (owing more on the car than it’s worth).

It’s impossible to be accepted for car finance without having a hard credit check. People with excellent credit ratings are more likely to be offered cheaper deals. Even if you don’t have the best credit score, you can still obtain car finance, but you might have to pay more because you represent a bigger risk.

Lenders work out your credit score based on information from your credit report, plus your application details (e.g. your income) and any data they already hold on you (e.g. if you’re an existing customer). Your free Experian Credit Score can give you an idea of how car finance companies may see you.

Auto lenders typically use the FICO 8 or FICO Auto Score models to determine your score. Keep in mind, though, that lenders may have their own rubric for determining what they consider to be good or not. But if your credit score is at least in the good range, you’ll have a relatively good chance of getting approved.