What Determines Your Credit Score?

Your Credit Score and You: What is it, what does it do, and how can it affect your car shopping experience here at Motor Mile Ford?

At Motor Mile Ford, we consider ourselves to be something of Ford finance experts. And with our years of experience in helping folks from all over Virginia to find the right financing solution for their cars, we've noticed that the last thing on most driver's minds when they walk into our dealership is their credit score.

Just What is a Credit Score?

Your credit score, or FICO score in financial terms, is something of an abstract number that represents your credit history. Used by many financial institutions as an establishing factor for risk in lending money, a higher credit score often indicates that an individual a lower risk of defaulting on a loan. Typically, your credit score will range between 300 and 800, but that can vary based on your credit history.

Okay, but How Does it Affect My Ability to Buy a Car at Motor Mile Ford?

Well, unless you're one of the few people who has a bundle of cash just lying around to buy your next car outright, you're probably going to have to get some form of car loan. And as a result, your credit score will factor in to how much money can be loaned, how long the loan will be, and even its interest rate.

Now, the good news is that if you've got a credit score of somewhere around the 700's , you're in great shape to get a competitive interest rate. However, as you go down the range to the 500's and below, you'll find that most lender's interest rates will rise, resulting in a costlier loan in the long run. It can even affect the insurance coverage you're eligible to purchase, as higher credit scores are often eligible for more affordable insurance coverage.

So, How do I get a Good Credit Score?

Now, confronting your credit score may seem daunting, but trust us when we say it's not quite as scary as it seems. In fact, the best way to maintain a healthy credit score is to just stay on top of your payments and make sure they get in on time. Whether it's your mortgage or credit cards, making sure your payments are up-to-date will improve your credit score over time and show potential lenders that you're a fiscally responsible candidate for a car loan.

How Can Motor Mile Ford Help?

As we mentioned above, we here at Motor Mile Ford have been helping drivers from all over Virginia to get behind the wheel for years now, and we'd love to do the same for you. So, whatever your credit background may be, the best way to see what sort of car loan, leasing, or financing options you're eligible for is to just start exploring with us.

Right here on our website, you can fill out our simple, secure, and 100 percent no-obligation auto credit application. It'll take just a few minutes of your time, and you'll actually be able to view your credit score right here on our website.

With that information at your disposal, you can look into your Ford leasing and financing options and find the one that makes the most fiscal sense for you. And if you need some help understanding the differences, don't worry! We've got a team of Ford financing experts on staff here at Motor Mile Ford who're ready and waiting to help you.

Contact Us Today for all Your Financing Needs!

So, feel free to swing by our showroom any time to see how Motor Mile Ford can help you leverage your credit score, whatever it may be, to get behind the wheel of the car of your dreams.