When you have bad credit, the right time to refinance your auto loan may be farther away than you think, but don’t let that get you down. The longer you wait, the more time and chances you have to improve your credit. But, just when should you refinance your auto loan?

It’s important to practice proper car maintenance all year long, but April is National Car Care Month. In honor of that, the Car Care Council provided a list of questions to help you find the right technician for your needs. They also asked Americans which late-night TV talk show host they would trust to work on their vehicle.

Remember, if you still owe on a vehicle, the lender owns the car and, in most states, holds the title. Many states make it illegal to sell a vehicle without a title. If you’ve lost the title, getting a replacement is a relatively simple process. But if you don’t have a title because you didn’t pay off your loan, you’ve just sold a stolen car – which is certainly illegal.

The car repossession process can really take a toll on you if your credit is already suffering. Fortunately, there are options for getting a repossessed car back. Be aware though, that keeping your vehicle may not be the best option for you. But if you feel it is, your options are time sensitive – so make sure you act fast.

When you get a car loan, the only individual who can tell you what your required down payment amount will be is the lender. Down payments are based on a buyer’s specific situation, and vary by credit score and lender. While the minimum may be enough to satisfy the down payment requirement, it’s in your best interest to use the largest down payment possible.

Bankruptcy is not to be entered into lightly. Depending on which stage you’re in, or if you’re considering filing a Chapter 13, the process of getting – or keeping – a vehicle differs greatly. Here are some considerations for every stage.

To truly understand what lenders are looking for when they view your credit, you must understand the factors that make up your FICO credit score, which is the most commonly used score for vehicle purchases.

Determining if a bankruptcy is the right choice for you deserves serious consideration. Before you file, ask yourself some questions to see if Chapter 7 is the right choice. Depending on your answers, you might find that this type of bankruptcy is a good choice, or that it won’t work for you. We'll let you know some ways to make that call.

Subprime auto loans are designed to help people who are struggling with bad credit, but sometimes auto loan approval just isn't in the cards. Don't let that get you down! This can be an excellent opportunity to learn how you can improve your credit and focus on what to do while you're building up to try again.

There’s a lot of enticing advertising out there about leasing a car that often draws consumers into local dealerships. If you're a bad credit car buyer, however, you're likely to walk away unable to qualify for the deals you expected. Don't let that end your new car dreams – there are dealers who can work with you, you just have to know where to look.