A 600 credit score does not automatically stop you from getting a car loan, but it usually changes the math. The main issue is not approval. The main issue is the APR, the monthly payment, and the total interest you may pay over the life of the loan.
In auto lending, a 600 score often sits near the edge of subprime and nonprime credit tiers. That means one lender may treat you as a higher-risk borrower, while another may approve you with better terms if your income, down payment, debt-to-income ratio, and vehicle choice are strong.
Before you walk into a dealership, run the numbers in an auto loan calculator using realistic APR assumptions. A small APR difference can change your payment more than most buyers expect.
What APR Can You Expect with a 600 Credit Score?
There is no single guaranteed APR for a 600 credit score. Lenders look at more than your score, including income, employment, loan amount, vehicle age, loan-to-value ratio, and existing debt.
As a practical planning range, buyers near a 600 credit score should prepare for higher-than-average APRs. Experian Q1 2026 data summarized by NerdWallet showed average APRs of about 13.44% for new vehicles and 19.42% for used vehicles in the 501-600 subprime tier. The next tier up, 601-660, averaged about 9.67% for new vehicles and 14.03% for used vehicles.
That difference matters. On a $25,000 used car loan for 60 months:
- At 14.03% APR, the estimated payment is about $582 per month.
- At 19.42% APR, the estimated payment is about $654 per month.
- The higher APR adds more than $4,300 in extra interest over the loan.
That is why the goal is not just "get approved." The goal is to avoid getting approved on terms that trap your budget.
How to Improve Your Approval Odds
Start with the vehicle price. A lender may be more comfortable approving a $17,000 used vehicle than a $34,000 vehicle if your score is around 600. The lower the loan amount, the easier it is to keep the payment under control.
Next, increase your down payment if possible. A larger down payment lowers the lender's risk because you are borrowing less compared to the vehicle's value. It also lowers your monthly payment and total interest.
You should also check your credit reports before applying. Look for incorrect late payments, collections, balances, or accounts that do not belong to you. Fixing errors may not turn a 600 score into a 750 score overnight, but it can remove avoidable damage.
Finally, shop multiple lenders. A dealership can arrange financing, but you should not rely on one financing source. Banks, credit unions, online lenders, and dealer finance departments may all price the same borrower differently.
Use Pre-Approval Before You Shop
Getting pre-approved before visiting the dealership gives you a baseline. It tells you the APR, term, and loan amount at least one lender is willing to consider. That gives you negotiating leverage.
It also keeps you from shopping based only on the monthly payment. A dealership can lower a payment by stretching the loan term, but that may cost you much more in interest.
If your score is around 600, compare at least two or three offers. The CFPB notes that shopping for the best auto loan deal generally has little to no impact on credit scores when done properly, and the benefit of comparing offers can outweigh the credit impact.
Should You Use a Co-Signer?
A strong co-signer may help you qualify for a better APR if your credit profile is thin or damaged. But this is a serious decision. The co-signer is taking legal responsibility for the debt. If you miss payments, their credit can be hurt too.
Use a co-signer only if the payment is genuinely affordable without relying on best-case assumptions. A co-signer should improve the loan terms, not hide an unaffordable purchase.
How to Avoid a High APR Trap
The biggest mistake is buying too much vehicle and trying to solve the payment with a long loan term. A 72-month or 84-month loan can make the monthly payment look manageable, but it often increases total interest and keeps you underwater longer.
Instead, adjust the inputs in this order:
- Lower the vehicle price.
- Increase the down payment.
- Improve the APR through lender shopping.
- Keep the term as short as your budget can realistically handle.
- Avoid unnecessary add-ons that increase the amount financed.
A 600 credit score does not mean you have to take the first offer. It means you need to be more careful with the math.
Quick Calculator Test
Before applying, run three versions of the same vehicle:
- Conservative: higher APR, smaller down payment, shorter term
- Realistic: expected APR, planned down payment, 60-month term
- Optimistic: improved APR, larger down payment, 48-month term
If the realistic version already feels tight, the vehicle is probably too expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a car loan with a 600 credit score?
Yes, many borrowers can get approved with a 600 credit score, but the APR may be much higher than it would be for prime-credit borrowers. Approval depends on the lender, income, down payment, debt, vehicle, and loan amount.
Is 600 considered bad credit for a car loan?
A 600 score is often treated as subprime or close to subprime in auto lending. That does not mean automatic denial, but it usually means higher borrowing costs.
What is the best way to lower my APR with a 600 score?
Shop multiple lenders, make a larger down payment, choose a less expensive vehicle, reduce other debts if possible, and consider applying with a qualified co-signer only if the payment is affordable.
Should I wait to buy a car if my credit score is 600?
If the purchase is not urgent, waiting can make sense. Even a modest score improvement may help you qualify for a better rate. If you need transportation now, keep the vehicle price and loan term conservative.
Final Takeaway
A car loan with a 600 credit score is possible, but the wrong APR can turn a reasonable car into an expensive mistake. Before you apply, use the calculator to test the vehicle price, APR, down payment, and term. The payment is only part of the story. The total interest is where bad loans usually reveal themselves.
Editorial source notes: Experian Q1 2026 APR averages summarized by NerdWallet; CFPB auto loan shopping guidance.