Our take in 10 seconds
At 600 you'll get approved — but you're on the border where lender pricing varies most, so
comparing offers matters more at 600 than at any other score. Check several lenders at once with
myAutoloan, put 10% down if you can, and if you're not in a hurry, one or two statement cycles of paying down cards can push you over 620 and save you roughly $1,400 on a typical loan.
Where you stand
600 is the border — and borders are expensive
Auto lenders bucket borrowers into tiers, and 600 sits right at the line between subprime (501–600) and near-prime (601–660). Land in the tier below and a used-car loan runs around 19%; cross into the tier above and it drops toward 14%. Same person, same car, five points of APR riding on a handful of score points and which lender you ask:
Near-prime 601–660
~13.9%
You, at 600THE LINE 501–600
~14–19%
Directional 2026 used-car ranges; new cars price a few points lower per tier. Income, down payment, vehicle, and term all move your actual quote.
Here's the part most 600 borrowers never find out: lenders draw their tier lines in different places. One lender's cutoff makes your 600 subprime; another's makes you near-prime. You can't know which is which from the outside — which is exactly why asking several lenders at once beats walking into one bank or one dealership.
Find the lender that puts your 600 on the cheap side of the lineOne form · Multiple offers · Soft pull to compare
Compare Offers →The dollars at stake
What 20 points is worth on a $15,000 car
Because your score sits on the border, small movements pay off disproportionately. Here's a $15,000 used-car loan over 60 months at representative APRs:
| Score | Tier | Representative APR | Monthly payment | Total interest |
|---|
| 580 | Subprime | ~19% | ~$389 | ~$8,340 |
| 600 (you) | The border | ~17% | ~$373 | ~$7,380 |
| 620 | Near-prime | ~14% | ~$349 | ~$5,940 |
| 660 | Upper near-prime | ~9.5% | ~$315 | ~$3,900 |
The 20-point move · same $15,000 car, 60 months
At 600 today
~17%
≈ $373/mo · $7,380 interest
→
At 620, 1–2 cycles later
~14%
≈ $349/mo · $5,940 interest
≈ $1,400 saved for 20 pointsOften reachable in one to two statement cycles by paying card balances down
The play if you can wait a month: utilization updates fast. Getting your card balances under 30% (ideally under 10%) before you apply is the quickest legitimate way to cross from 600 into the 620 tier. The free playbook is in our
credit-building hub.
If you need the car now
Four moves that protect you at 600
Compare lenders before the dealership
At the border tier, quotes vary more for you than for anyone. See several offers from one form at myAutoloan, then make the dealer beat your best one.
Put 10% down and keep the term at 60 months
The down payment improves your pricing; the shorter term keeps the total cost sane. If a deal only works at 72–84 months, it's the wrong car.
Check your report for cheap wins
At 600, one wrongly reported late payment can be the whole difference between tiers. Dispute errors before you apply, not after.
Plan the refinance from day one
Take the best loan you can get now, make 6–12 on-time payments, then refinance at your improved score. At 600, the two-step plan usually beats holding out for a perfect first loan.
Honest heads-up: comparing through a marketplace means a few lenders may follow up by phone or email — that's how competing offers reach you. You're never obligated to accept any of them.
Two minutes to see your real offers at 600Multiple lenders · One soft-pull form · New, used, refi, private-party
Compare Auto Loan Offers →
Who gets paid on this page
myAutoloan — if you complete an application through our linkpays us a commission
The lenders it matches you withpay us $0 for placement
You — no fee to compare offers$0
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a car loan with a 600 credit score?
Yes, comfortably. A 600 is approved by most auto lenders, including mainstream ones. The real question is pricing: expect roughly 14% to 17% APR on a used car depending on which side of the subprime line each lender places you.
What APR should I expect on a car loan at 600?
In 2026, roughly 14% to 17% on a used car and a few points less on a new one, varying by lender, income, down payment, and term. Because 600 sits at a tier border, quotes vary between lenders more than at almost any other score, which makes comparing offers unusually valuable.
Is 600 considered bad credit for a car loan?
It's the top of the subprime range, one point from near-prime. Some lenders treat a 600 as subprime and price high; others cut their tiers differently and price you near-prime. That inconsistency is why you shop it.
Should I wait and improve my score before buying?
If you can wait even one or two statement cycles, often yes. Crossing from 600 to 620 saves around $1,400 on a typical $15,000 loan, and paying card balances below 30% utilization is frequently enough to do it.
How much should I put down with a 600 credit score?
Aim for at least 10%. A down payment directly improves your rate and approval odds, protects you from ending up underwater, and shrinks the balance you'll refinance later at a better score.