Do you want to buy a truck? If YES, here is an 11-step guide on how to buy a truck with bad credit and best places to buy trucks cheaply online.
In this age, trucks have become more popular than ever, but it can be a daunting task to find a place to buy a truck when you have bad credit.
Most places that sell trucks base the whole financing approval process on one thing: your credit score. For someone with bad credit, it is almost impossible buy a good truck and at a good price.
Indeed, it is very much possible to acquire a truck with bad credit and bad credit truck loans are available if you know the exact place to look.
What You Must Know Before Buying a Truck
The very first thing to do is to thoroughly understand the financing process leveraged at traditional dealerships. Note that if you cannot get the financing you need from a traditional dealership, the next step is to explore non-traditional dealerships.
To determine if you can buy a truck at a traditional dealership, you have to first understand the financing process. Most traditional dealerships have sustainable relationships with various lending organizations.
These dealerships tend to have a list of banks, credit unions, and other lenders where they send customers for financing. Note that these dealerships and financial institutions base financing decisions almost entirely on your credit score.
So if your credit score falls below a certain number, then you might not get the financing you need for a truck. According to experts, bad credit card loans simply are not an option if you want to purchase a truck from a traditional dealership.
Traditional dealerships only consider your past when it comes to making financing decisions – no matter how good things are looking in the present.
Another option if you fail at the traditional car dealership and financing is the buy-here-pay-here dealership. This type of dealership takes care of all financing in-house.
It simply entails that the dealership can look at your current, individual situation and make a financing decision. Your present financial situation – instead of your past – is what is looked at in a buy here pay here dealership.
As long as you can offer three things – recent pay stub, drivers license, proof of residence (piece of mail addressed to you at your present address), then you can begin with the process of financing a truck at a buy here pay here dealership.
There are so many reasons why people have bad credit – bankruptcy, divorce, medical debt, or other circumstances – but all these do not alter the fact that you need reliable transportation.
However, always remember that it takes time to rebuild your credit which means that it is not always possible to wait until your score climbs before acquiring a truck. In the United States, your ability to pay for the truck tends to depend more on your current and future financial situation – not the past.
11 Steps on How to Buy a Truck with Bad Credit
Indeed, bad credit can make things very challenging, but it does not have to make buying a truck hard work. It does not have to stand in the way of your new set of wheels, but you will have to shop a little differently and be prepared for a higher cost.
Go into the process as informed as possible to avoid being taken advantage of. If you are searching for bad credit truck finance, then these steps will surely help you.
1. Check your credit
Just like it was stated above, credit score is a huge factor in most auto lending decisions, both in terms of whether an application is approved and what rate may be offered.
Generally, your score is based in part upon the information contained in your credit reports, so it is advisable you first check those reports for errors that might affect your loan process and the best terms, and dispute them if necessary.
2. Try boosting your score
If after checking your credit score you don’t find it encouraging, improving your credit score might be the way to go. Fixing errors contained in a credit report can help, but you could also explore options like paying off overdue credit balances, and correcting any bad habits that were highlighted in your reports.
3. Avoid additional bad credit items
In the months leading up to your loan application, be on your best behaviour. Strive to pay off everything on time. Don’t take on any other major credit obligations, opening new credit cards or charging high credit card balances.
Potential red flags for an auto lender include late rent payments, charge – offs, debt collections, bankruptcy, tax liens, and lawsuit judgments.
4. Build a down payment
Your credit history will typically constrain the size of loan you can get, and a high interest rate will make the amount even lower.
A down payment can offset the interest, taxes, and fees and widen the selection of vehicles you can choose from. A down payment can be a good thing for all parties involved in a loan and will be a requirement in many cases.
Money up front could help reduce your potential loan amount and financing costs while decreasing lending risk for the creditor. However, if you don’t have much or any cash for a down payment, you may still qualify for a loan.
5. Know your trade-in value
Note that a trade – in can be used with or in place of a down payment and offers similar benefits. Look up the trade – in value of your current vehicle, if you have one, at sources like NADA Guides and KBB.com so you can add it into the truck – buying equation and negotiate a fair price at the dealership.
6. Estimate a loan amount
Leverage online financial calculators to estimate what you may be able to afford as a total loan amount and monthly payment, to help stay on budget.
Down payment and trade – in amounts tend to be very useful here – if you have both just add them together and enter the figure into the down payment field. Note that adjusting down payment, loan term and APR will help you see how the loan amount and monthly payments change, and what might work best.
7. Consider add-ons in advance
Whether you plan to customize your truck or are interested in a service contract to keep it running smoothly, do not forget these items will increase the total price tag. It is very advisable you plan ahead and decide whether you want to make space for the cost in your loan amount.
8. Consider a Co – Applicant
A co – applicant is a useful option to consider especially when you have bad credit and most especially as trucks are generally more expensive than cars.
Adding a creditworthy co – applicant means you are applying for a joint auto loan for which two sets of income can be taken into account by the lender. Note that this option can increase your chances of approval and, if approved, may get you a larger loan amount and better rate.
9. Get Pre – Approved
You can shop more realistically when you have a pre-approved loan amount to work with. Take your time to speak to your bank or credit union about getting a car loan and to find out the pre-approval process.
However, if you can’t get approved with your bank, your car salesman may be able to put you in contact with a lender who caters to car buyers with bad credit.
10. Find a great truck and skip the extras
Just like it was stated above, with truck financing preapproved, you are free to enjoy the best part – choosing your vehicle. Visit the preferred dealership listed in your loan documents or scan for the truck you want.
However, when you are buying a car with bad credit, you may not be approved for high loan amount, which may mean you have to sacrifice some of the features you want.
Leather seats, sunroof, and a premium speaker system may not be options. You are already facing a higher loan payment because of the interest rate. Don’t make it bigger by loading on all the latest features.
11. Carefully read all the paperwork
Note that loan documents can be confusing, but your money and your credit are on the line, so it is quite pertinent to take time to carefully understand the terms of the loan.
Also make sure the paperwork matches everything the dealer verbally agreed to. If you agree to the terms, sign the loan documents and drive the car off the lot.
6 Best Places to Get Trucks Cheaply Online
When shopping for a cheap truck, you should try to find the best truck sales to get the lowest price. Note that finding the best prices on a truck is not that hard—if you are willing to do some research and know where to look. So, below are some information on where to get cheap trucks online in the United States.
i. Online Classified Ads Sites
Online classified sites like AutoTrader.com and Craigslist.com are great places to find low prices on used trucks. Normally, both sites boast of hundreds of thousands of vehicles listed for sale and finding a cheap truck that suits your needs and budget is never very hard.
AutoTrader.com remains one of the biggest used-car websites on the Internet and makes searching for used cars quick and easy. Craigslist.com—although not exclusively for the sale of cars and trucks—also offers thousands of used trucks for sale on the site.
Note that the key difference between the two sites is that AutoTrader.com allows dealers to post used trucks for sale on their website in addition to private party sellers. While, Craigslist.com is generally geared to allow private party sellers to list used trucks that they want to sale.
ii. eBay Auctions
Bidding for truck at eBay auctions is a wonderful way to acquire a truck at an unbelievable low price – if you are the winning bidder.
To effectively compete for these trucks, you will have to register for a free eBay.com account so that you can bid on auctions that offer used trucks.
Even though you are never assured of success when bidding on a used truck, a successful auction bid could lead to you finding a used truck at a price you may not be able to find anywhere else.
iii. Government Websites
The US Government initiated an incentive program called “cash for clunkers” or CARS (car allowance rebate system) that allows you to trade a “clunker” for a more fuel efficient vehicle.
Although this program has already ended, there are other government incentives that strive to reduce the impact of vehicles on the environment.
For example, tax credits are given for purchases of hybrid, electric, diesel, and alternative-fuel trucks. Government websites from the U.S. Department of Energy will often collate information related to state and federal incentives.
iv. Online Forums
Also have it in mind that some states offer rebates and discounts for new trucks to pump prime their economies. A lot of government rebates are often only made known locally.
Note that one way to keep track of these offers is through online community forums. These forums have a special section that caters to people looking for discounts and related material. It brings together people who share rebates and discount information with each other.
v. CarsDirect.com
CarsDirect.com is renowned as one of the most comprehensive car and truck shopping websites on the Internet. This website has literally thousands upon thousands of trucks for sale by reputable new and used truck dealerships from around the country.
These CarsDirect VIP dealerships have reached a consensus to post ads for trucks at rock-bottom prices, and the friendly 24-hour online staff makes finding the used truck of your choice easier than you would ever imagine.
Additionally, CarsDirect can also help you arrange easy financing for your used truck and even help with insurance. If you are looking for some of the best used truck sales, CarsDirect.com should be one of your very first stops.
vi. Your Local Newspaper
The Internet provides varying options for finding cheap prices on used trucks; however, you should never neglect roaming through your local newspapers classified ad section.
Aside the fact that you may you find an individual willing to sell a used truck at a good price, many local new and used truck dealerships often place ads for older inventory trucks that they need to sell quickly and are willing to make a deal on. So, ensure you use all of the methods included here to make sure you cover all your bases.
Conclusion
The process for buying a truck with bad credit is simple when you are armed with the right knowledge, and part of that is choosing the right lender. Also note that people with bad credit are the target of countless scams.
Too often these loans end up poorly for the car buyer and result in yet another debt on an already tarnished credit record. No matter how desperate you are for a new truck, take your time, get all the facts, and make the most financially sound decision you can.