
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.
Having bad credit doesn’t mean you can’t get a personal loan. While borrowers with lower credit scores typically face higher interest rates, several online lenders specialize in working with people who have credit scores below 670. These lenders look beyond just your credit score, considering factors like income, employment history, and education.
A personal loan can actually help rebuild your credit when managed responsibly. By making on-time payments, you can gradually improve your credit score over time. Below are some of the best lenders that offer personal loans to borrowers with bad or fair credit.
If you have a credit score below 670, these lenders may be able to help. All offer online applications and fast funding, with options for secured and unsecured personal loans.
| Lender | APR range | Loan terms | Min. loan |
| Upgrade | 6.94% — 35.97% | 24 to 84 months | $1,000 |
| Upstart | 6.40% – 35.99% | 36 to 60 months | $1,000 |
| OneMain Financial | 18.00% — 35.99% | 24 to 60 months | $1,500 |
| Avant | 9.95% — 35.99% | 24 to 60 months | $2,000 |
| LendingPoint | 7.99% — 35.99% | 24 to 72 months | $2,000 |
| Prosper | 6.99% — 35.99% | 24 to 60 months | $2,000 |
Upgrade is one of the most accessible lenders for bad credit borrowers, accepting credit scores as low as 580. Loan amounts start at just $1,000 and go up to $50,000, with terms of 24 to 84 months. Origination fees range from 1.85% to 9.99%. Upgrade reports payments to all three credit bureaus, making it an excellent choice for credit building. Funds are typically available within one business day of approval.
Upstart uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to evaluate borrowers, looking beyond traditional credit scores to factors like education and employment history. This makes Upstart particularly accessible for borrowers with limited or poor credit histories. Loan terms are 36 or 60 months, and origination fees range from 0% to 12%. Funding is often available the next business day.
OneMain Financial stands out for bad credit borrowers because it offers both secured and unsecured personal loans and does not publish a minimum credit score requirement. With over 1,500 branches nationwide, you can apply in person and discuss your options face-to-face. Loan terms range from 24 to 60 months. While interest rates start higher than some competitors at 18.00%, OneMain is often willing to work with borrowers other lenders turn down.
Avant specializes in lending to borrowers with credit scores between 580 and 700. Loan amounts range from $2,000 to $35,000 with terms of 24 to 60 months. The administration fee is up to 4.75%. Avant offers a straightforward online application and typically funds loans by the next business day. Late fees are capped at $25, and there are no prepayment penalties.
LendingPoint focuses on borrowers in the 580–700 credit score range. Loan amounts go up to $36,500 with terms of 24 to 72 months. Origination fees range from 0% to 8%. LendingPoint considers your overall financial picture, not just your credit score, and reports to all three major credit bureaus to help you build credit over time.
Prosper is a peer-to-peer lending marketplace that connects borrowers directly with investors. While the minimum credit score is 600, Prosper works with many fair and near-bad credit borrowers. Loans range from $2,000 to $50,000 with terms of 24 to 60 months. Origination fees are 1% to 6.99%. Prosper’s marketplace model means your loan is funded by individual investors, which can sometimes lead to approval when traditional lenders say no.
While most lenders require a minimum credit score of 580–600, some options exist for borrowers with scores below 580. Upstart uses AI to evaluate applications and has no strict minimum score. OneMain Financial also doesn’t publish a minimum credit score requirement and offers secured loan options. You may also consider a secured personal loan or a credit-builder loan to improve your score first.
Secured personal loans are generally the easiest to qualify for because they require collateral, reducing the lender’s risk. OneMain Financial offers both secured and unsecured options. Upstart’s AI-based evaluation also makes it accessible for borrowers with non-traditional credit profiles.
To improve your approval odds with bad credit, consider applying with a co-signer, offering collateral for a secured loan, showing stable income and employment, reducing your existing debt, and checking for pre-qualification offers that use soft credit pulls. Many of the lenders listed above offer pre-qualification without impacting your credit score.
Pre-qualification typically involves a soft credit inquiry, which does not affect your score. However, once you formally apply and accept a loan, the lender will perform a hard inquiry, which may temporarily lower your score by a few points. Making on-time payments on your new loan can help rebuild your credit over time.
Upgrade is one of the most accessible lenders for bad credit borrowers. Starting at just $1,000, Upgrade accepts credit scores as low as 580 and reports to all three credit bureaus, helping you rebuild your credit with on-time payments. Funds are typically deposited within one business day.
OneMain Financial is a strong option for bad credit borrowers because it has no published minimum credit score and offers both secured and unsecured loans. With 1,500+ branches nationwide, you can apply in person for a more personalized experience.
Avant specializes in lending to borrowers with credit scores between 580 and 700. With a straightforward online application and next-day funding, Avant makes the borrowing process simple. Late fees are capped at $25 and there are no prepayment penalties.
LendingPoint looks at your complete financial picture, not just your credit score. With loans up to $36,500 and terms up to 72 months, LendingPoint is designed for borrowers with credit scores in the 580–700 range. Reports to all three credit bureaus.
Prosper is a peer-to-peer lending marketplace where individual investors fund your loan. This can mean approvals when traditional lenders say no. With loans from $2,000 to $50,000 and competitive rates for fair credit borrowers.

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