A Few Tips on Getting a Car Loan If You're Not Sure About Your Finances
Someone who is gainfully employed, with a good credit record and money in the bank, may find it somewhat easy to get a car loan; banks may even be eager to lend money to such a person, as they get paid interest on those loans. However, someone who is self-employed and doesn't have paystubs from an employer, or someone who doesn't have a strong credit history, may not have it quite so easy. If this applies to your situation, it doesn't mean that you can't get a car loan; note a few tips on how to qualify for a car loan, so you have a greater chance of success in getting the money you need for a new car.
Use bank statements, including online accounts
While you may not have paystubs from an employer to prove that you earn an income, a self-employed person should have bank statements with a record of deposits and earnings. You can use those bank statements when applying for a loan; be sure to include online accounts where you receive payments, such as PayPal. As long as you have a means of proving that you do earn money on a regular basis, and how much you earn, you may easily qualify for a new car loan.
Build a small credit history
If you don't have a credit history because you don't like taking on debt, consider applying for a small credit card with a very limited line of credit; this can be a store credit card, or one from your bank or local credit union. Charge one small item every month, and pay the bill well before its due date. If you do this for just a few months, you can build a positive credit history without overspending on interest payments or racking up too much personal debt.
You might also check if companies you do pay every month will report your payments to credit bureaus, to build your credit history. This can include utility companies and your apartment rental agency. If they don't report to credit bureaus automatically, ask them to do so.
Ask for low doc or no doc loans
Low doc loans are those that require little documentation; no doc loans require only your identification and perhaps proof of residence. These loans may be more costly to obtain, but if your bank or credit union offers them, they may be what you need to obtain financing for your new car purchase.