Making a down payment on a car loan works to your advantage. Good thing, then, that Edmunds is reporting that down payments continue to rise for both new and used car purchases.

Down payments can be more helpful than harmful.

Before visiting a BHPH car dealer, car shoppers with problem credit should consider the advantages of financing a used vehicle with a car loan from an indirect higher-risk lender.

Borrowers with deficient credit usually want answers about car leasing because they either want to keep their auto loan payments as low as possible or they don't have enough money for a down payment.

The average loan amount and loan term for both new and used cars continue to rise, but consumers are getting at least one thing right. The latest data from Edmunds shows that the average down payment on a new car loan in May almost broke the record.

We receive plenty of questions from consumers every month here at Auto Credit Express, where we help car buyers with poor credit find auto financing. One recurring topic we are constantly asked about: getting a bad credit car loan without a down payment.

The loan to value (LTV) ratio is a calculation that subprime lenders use to evaluate a consumer's auto loan application. It helps them determine how much risk they would need to assume if they were to approve a particular applicant. Lowering your LTV ratio could very much help you get approved.

Not having a down payment can be a problem. In many cases, the lender will require a down payment in order to approve somebody with damaged credit. This may not be what you want to hear if your budget is tight, but it's the hard truth.