It seems like everybody has a side hustle these days, or maybe several. Side hustles are a great source of extra income, but if you need a car loan, you need to have a regular full-time job too, otherwise, you may not qualify.

Yes, you can buy a car from a buy here pay here (BHPH) dealer with bad credit. In fact, in some cases, this is often a good route if you've already been turned down for an auto loan. BHPH dealers can typically get you into a vehicle, but there are some big differences in the process.

When you're getting a car loan, no matter your credit score, it's important to know what you're up against. We think these five factors are worth understanding before you head into your auto loan. Let's take a look.

There's no "best" way to pay off a car loan. It depends on your situation and what you're looking to get out of paying it off. You usually have options, though.

When you have bad credit and need a loan $5K is typically the least amount you can borrow. This means you may be able to finance a used car under $5,000 as long as the loan amount is more with taxes and fees.

Bad credit often means needing more proof that you can repay a loan as well as a few additional requirements we explore, and it doesn't have to put you out of the running for a car loan either.

If you want to refinance your auto loan, but you're not sure if your credit score has improved enough to make this possible, a cosigner will improve your approval chances. Just make sure that the cosigner you have in mind is a qualified applicant who understands the risks that might be involved.

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.