Bad Credit and No Credit Car Loans
The Bachman Fresh Start Buying Program Can Get You In the Car You Need

Our Core Values

We’re a family-owned dealership, and one of our core values is to treat others the way you want to be treated. It’s a guiding principle in our lives, in our families, and in our business model. Many of our customer reviews mention the kindness of our employees, and that’s for a reason. We want our customers to feel good about a purchase with us, and to be able to drive a dependable, high-quality new or pre-owned car, which is why we choose to deal with credit problems that other dealerships turn down. This is our passion!

Don’t let past credit problems, bankruptcies, foreclosures, or other setbacks keep you from owning a vehicle you’ll feel good about. The first step may be hard – reaching out to us – but our goal is to help our community, and that means you, too. We’re proud to call Kentuckiana home, and are proud of the business we’ve built and the community we’re a part of here in Louisville. Please use the form below to reach out to us.

Can You Purchase a Vehicle With Bad or No Credit?

With us, the answer to the question “Can I purchase a vehicle without good credit?” is a hard “yes.” Admittedly, it’s much easier to get approved for a car loan after you’ve established a reliable credit history, but bad credit or no credit doesn’t exclude you from vehicle ownership. At Bachman CDJR, we pride ourselves on helping those with financial challenges to get behind the wheel of the vehicle they want.

What Does It Mean To Have Bad or No Credit?

Photo by Fabian Blank | Licensed with Unsplash License

Generally speaking, the term “bad credit” refers to a credit score below a certain minimum threshold. Though the two primary models — FICO and VantageScore — both use scales that range from 300 to 850, each specifies a different minimum threshold. FICO, for instance, considers anything under 580 to be poor credit. VantageScore, however, recognizes two tiers of bad credit, with 500 to 600 considered poor and 300 to 499 considered very poor.

As for no credit — that means you’ve yet to establish a credit history. In other words, you’ve never taken out a loan or used a credit card in your name. People with no credit history are usually young adults, who have only recently become eligible to open a credit account. Often, it’s easier to build a solid credit history from scratch than to resolve a bad credit history.

Various factors contribute to your credit score, including but not limited to:

• Debt and the number of new loans under your name.
• Account history.
• Payment history.
• Credit use versus total available credit.
• Credit mix.
• Collections activity, including defaults, bankruptcies, and foreclosures.

By addressing the above factors, you can build your credit and, improve your chances of getting approved for a car loan. For example, paying off your overdue bills and keeping up with current payments helps to establish you as a more creditworthy individual, thereby raising your credit score.

How To Get a Car Loan With Bad or No Credit

Before you speak with one of our credit experts, consider taking some preparatory steps to improve your chances of securing a car loan. A good place to start is by checking your credit score. Though you may know you have a low score, knowing your exact status can give you an idea of what you can expect in terms of your financing options. That knowledge is essential for maintaining peace of mind. Moreover, obtaining your official credit report allows you to examine it for errors. Should you notice any, you can address those before discussing your financing options.

Next, determine how much you can afford to spend on your vehicle purchase. Given your credit circumstances, keep in mind that you can expect to put down a larger down payment and pay higher interest rates. By understanding these parameters, you can calculate both your maximum down payment and how much you can afford to pay in regular car loan payments. The more you contribute to the former, the less you’ll pay for the latter.

Next, consider whether you’d like a co-signer — an individual who agrees to take on the obligations of your loan along with you. When choosing a co-signer, go with someone you trust who has good credit. Their score improves your chances of getting approved for a loan with better terms.

Tips for Financing Your Vehicle Purchase With Bad or No Credit

In addition to the above measures, consider these tips to maximize your chances of getting approved for vehicle financing:

• Try to build up your credit before you come into our dealership. For example, if you have a credit card, use it to make frequent small purchases and pay off the balance as soon as possible.
• Shop for affordable models. The less expensive the vehicle you purchase, the more capable you are of keeping up with payments.
• Consider leasing instead of financing. Because leasing means you’re not working toward ownership of the vehicle, payments are often significantly lower compared with car loans.
• Anticipate negotiation. We may work with multiple lenders to find the right financing option for you, so stay optimistic as we proceed through the negotiation process.
• Be inquisitive. Our finance experts at BachmanCDJR welcome your questions, as we’re committed to your satisfaction.

Get a Fresh Start With Bachman CDJR

As a family-owned business, we firmly believe in treating others as we ourselves would want to be treated. That’s why we’ve initiated the Bachman Fresh Start Buying Program. If you’re working on rebuilding your credit after a challenging financial period, our program can help set you on the path toward new vehicle ownership. Just fill out the form with your name, email address, phone number, and comments. Reach out to us and we’ll reach out to you.

If you have no credit history at all, we’ve got you covered. Just let us know about your situation and we can find you a solution that satisfies your needs. In the meantime, you can browse our inventory of new Chryslers, Dodges, Jeeps, and Rams, as well as the options in our pre-owned lot, to get a sense of what vehicles meet your preferences and financial criteria.

Also, consider checking on your pre-approval status with our online application. Follow the online instructions to fill out the forms and determine your eligibility within minutes.

Get in touch with us today to learn more about your car financing options. Use our contact page and we’ll reach out to you as soon as we can. If you’d prefer to speak directly with an associate, give us a call at 812-920-5491.

When you’re ready to discuss your options with one of our finance experts, come down to the dealership. We’re open six days a week, Monday through Saturday. Our hours of operation are available online. We look forward to helping you find the ideal financing option for your next vehicle purchase with us.

Car Loans and Bankruptcy

We’ve helped many customers in the Sellersburg area and beyond reach their new car dreams, even when dealing with bankruptcy, even if you haven’t finished the bankruptcy term. Whether you’re currently in Chapter 13, Chapter 7 bankruptcy, or your bankruptcy has been discharged, you’ve shown that you can persevere through hardship. We’ll let you know what steps you might need to take, such as if you need to get a letter of permission from your bankruptcy trustee or judge.

If you’re a customer who has experienced bankruptcy, you’re not alone! If you’re still in bankruptcy, you’ll need to prove to your trustee or judge at bankruptcy court that you’re dealing with some extenuating circumstances — for example, if you need to use a car to get to work, and the car you’ve been driving has broke down. We’ll work with you to help you find an affordable car that meets your needs.

How to Improve Your Credit Score

Are you wondering what credit score is needed to finance a car loan? Your credit rating will influence the loan terms for your car loan, such as the financing rate (APR%), the loan length, and the payments. Your credit score is influenced by bankruptcy, secured debts like a mortgage, unsecured debts like credit cards, and paying your bills on time. We’re experts at helping people with bad credit get financing, but every little bit helps.

• Get Your Free Annual Credit Report! Take advantage of the federally-authorized AnnualCreditReport.com, where you can obtain a free report every year from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Look it over for any errors in your credit history and dispute them immediately because bad information on your credit report will give you a lower credit rating.
• Check Your Credit Scores. There are a number of free options available through credit card companies, banks, and many different apps available ranging from free to having a monthly fee. Free apps usually generate their revenue through advertising, so read the fine print.
• Keep Up With Your Payment History. One of the biggest factors in your credit score is whether you pay your bills and debts on time.
• Pay Down Balances. The debt-to-available-credit ratio that you’ll see in your report is a major indicator of your creditworthiness. If your credit card has a high interest rate and you’ve been paying it on time, call their customer service and ask about lowering the APR so you can save more money.
• Unestablished Credit History or No Credit? Think about getting a secured credit card — think of it like a “starter” credit card, where you first put money down and then you borrow from that. After you keep making on-time payments for a good period of time, you can apply for a larger line of credit.

Something a lot of people don’t know is that a car loan can help you improve your score, too! If you make your payments on time every month, that good behavior is also reported to the credit bureaus. Your new good credit history could enable you to refinance your loan for a lower monthly payment and a lower APR, saving you money in the long run.

Apply Now!

Get Ahead with Bachman’s Fresh Start Program