
Auto Loan Pre-Approval: How to Get Pre-Approved Before You Buy
Getting pre-approved for an auto loan before you visit the dealership is one of the smartest moves you can make as a car buyer. Pre-approval
PrimeRates provides access to personalized loan offers through our simple and quick pre-qualification application. Once you’re pre-qualified, you can select the best offer for you and finalize the loan application with the lender.
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Simple pre-qual application in less than 1 minute.
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Choose the offer that best fits your needs.
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Finalize your loan offer, get approved, and receive funds.
With a credit score of 650 or lower, you fall into the fair-to-average credit range. A 650 score puts you in the fair credit range. You have access to more lenders than those with lower scores, though rates will be higher than for good credit borrowers.
The lenders below work with borrowers at this credit level and offer competitive terms. Pre-qualify to see your personalized rates without impacting your credit score.
These lenders accept borrowers with credit scores of 650 and below.
| Lender | APR range | Loan amounts | Min. credit |
| Upgrade | 6.94% – 35.97% | $1,000 – $50,000 | 580 |
| Best Egg | 8.99% – 35.99% | $2,000 – $50,000 | 640 |
| Prosper | 6.99% – 35.99% | $2,000 – $50,000 | 600 |
| Upstart | 6.40% – 35.99% | $1,000 – $50,000 | 300 (AI) |
| LendingPoint | 7.99% – 35.99% | $2,000 – $36,500 | 580 |
Most online lenders require a minimum credit score between 580 and 660. Some lenders like Upstart use AI-based evaluation and accept scores as low as 300, while OneMain Financial has no published minimum.
Borrowers with a 650 credit score can typically expect APRs in the 12%–30% range, depending on the lender, loan amount, income, and other factors.
Make all payments on time, reduce credit card balances below 30% of your limit, avoid opening too many new accounts, and check your credit report for errors. A personal loan with on-time payments can also help build credit over time.
Upgrade accepts credit scores as low as 580 and offers loans from $1,000 to $50,000. Funds typically deposited within one business day.
Best Egg has funded over $24 billion in loans. Next-day funding available.
Prosper is a peer-to-peer lending marketplace with loans from $2,000 to $50,000.
Upstart uses AI and machine learning to evaluate borrowers beyond traditional credit scores, considering education and employment history.
LendingPoint looks at your complete financial picture, not just your credit score.

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