In many cases, lenders require a down payment in order to approve somebody with damaged credit for a car loan. And not having one can be a problem.

Having poor credit can make it tough to get approved for the things you need, like a car loan. However, your options may not be as limited as you think.

If you're willing to take on a long loan term – 84 months or more – you no longer have to worry about a minimum credit score if you finance through Ford Credit. This means shoppers looking for a new Ford car, truck, or SUV may have more options than before.

Having a very poor credit score makes getting approved for new credit a struggle. We want to help you take some steps to repair your credit score, even if you have severe credit issues.

References are one of several stipulations that are typically required when you take on a loan – especially a bad credit auto loan.

Bad credit borrowers are often advised to get a cosigner to increase their chances of qualifying for an auto loan. But it may not always be the solution.

GAP insurance can be a good idea to have when you're leasing, even if it's not always required. This form of insurance covers the amount of your early termination if the vehicle is lost or stolen. You may be required to have it if you lease with poor credit.

A credit repair company can be a big help when you don't have the time to spend pouring over your credit reports to fix mistakes yourself. A credit repair company can save you time, but it costs you.

Finding a dealership to work with when you have bad credit can seem like a mountain of a task. At Auto Credit Express, we know how frustrating it can be to have to search for a second chance car loan on your own, and we want to help. If you feel like you've tried everything, here are some suggestions that might help you find the right kind of dealer.

While there's no national "minimum" credit score you need to get a car loan, most lenders agree that borrowers with a credit score below 670 are in the bad credit category.