Rent to own cars, also called lease to own vehicles, don’t come with mileage restrictions. They can be a good option for bad credit borrowers who need a car fast. We cover how these agreements work, and how they’re different from other vehicle buying options.

Rent to Own Cars and Mileage Limits

Are There Mileage Limits on Rent to Own Cars?Traditional leased cars come with mileage limits, but rent to own vehicles don’t come with this restriction. Traditional leasing companies place mileage limits on their cars to preserve their value, typically so that they can be sold at a later date as pre-owned vehicles.

Many people think that leasing and rent to own cars are similar, but the truth is that they’re very different. Leasing involves making payments on a vehicle for around two to three years, and then returning it at the end of the lease. With rent to own cars, the main goal once you make all the payments is ownership.

Another large difference between leasing and rent to own vehicles is that leased cars are almost always brand-new vehicles. Rent to own cars are always used.

How Rent to Own Vehicles Work

To get into a rent to own vehicle, you need to find a dealership that offers in-house financing, also called buy here pay here (BHPH) used car lots. These dealers are also lenders, so they don’t rely on third-party lenders for financing. This also means that you usually get to skip the credit check.

Since there typically isn’t a credit pull, borrowers with poor credit may have a better chance of qualifying for a rent to own vehicle than a traditional auto loan or lease. The biggest factor that determines your eligibility for these agreements is your income. Some rent to own cars don’t require a down payment, but the payments are likely to be higher than an auto loan in the long run.

You also don’t have to worry about interest charges because rent to own agreements aren’t loans. You’re not borrowing an amount from a lender to pay for a vehicle – you’re making payments on the car to the dealership until you’ve paid what you owe.

Bad Credit Auto Loans vs. Rent to Own Cars

A big downside to rent to own vehicles is that there sometimes isn’t a chance for credit repair. If the dealer didn’t check your credit reports to determine your eligibility for the car, then they may not report your on-time payments. Anything that isn’t reported on your credit reports doesn’t impact your credit score, so it doesn’t help improve it.

Bad credit auto loans from subprime lenders, however, are always reported. These lenders do check your credit reports, but they consider more than that. Sometimes, credit reports can’t tell the whole story, so subprime lenders use other facets of your situation to determine your ability to repay a car loan. They examine your income and residence history, require a down payment, ask for personal references, and more.

Subprime auto loans are crafted for bad credit borrowers who want to get on the road to credit repair. While rent to own vehicles are a good short-term solution, it doesn't usually solve the bigger issue: bad credit.

Repair the Root of the Problem With a Car Loan

When you’re struggling with poor credit, it’s tempting to go for a quick solution like a rent to own car. But if you want to repair your bad credit, consider subprime financing. These lenders are signed up with special finance dealerships, and we can help you find one in your local area.

Here at Auto Credit Express, we have a network of special finance dealers all over the country. Get matched to one near you by filling out our auto loan request form. There’s never an obligation, and we’ll get right to work!