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Hippo Motor Finance > FAQs > Bad credit and credit scores

Bad credit and credit scores

A credit score is a number rating that helps finance companies decide how much of a risk it is to loan you money. The number is calculated by credit reference agencies and is mainly based upon your credit report and history of lending. 5 reasons you were refused and what to do next
There's no magic number that you need to hit to get accepted for car finance. While your credit score plays a part, lender criteria and your current circumstances play a part. However, it is advisable to improve your credit score as much as you can. What's a good credit score for a car loan?
Free services include: Money Saving Expert Credit Club, who use Experian; ClearScore, who use Equifax; and Credit Karma, who use reports from TransUnion. You can usually get a free monthly subscription with one of the main three lenders (Equifax, TransUnion, Experian), but you'll probably be charged after the first month if you don't cancel. How do I check my credit score before I apply for a car loan?
We’ll do a hard credit check when your finance application is being considered, but you can do a soft credit check at the start of your application to determine whether you’re preapproved. The initial soft credit search has no impact on your credit score. What credit checks are done for car finance?
A soft search is a surface look at your credit profile which doesn’t affect your credit score. A hard search is an in-depth look at your credit profile which does affect your credit score. Use our free soft search and find out if you're preapproved
Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee you’ll be accepted. Each lender has different criteria, and everyone’s credit profile is different. We advise you’re always wary of companies that say you’ll be accepted no matter what. Can I get car finance if I've made late payments?
It depends on the time scale from when you were last turned down and why you were refused. If your circumstances have changed, there’s a chance you could be accepted this time around. However, if your circumstances haven’t changed or not enough time has passed, it’s unlikely you’ll be accepted for car finance 5 reasons you were refused and what to do next
Yes, even if you have bad credit, you may still be able to get car finance. We work with lenders who specialise in helping those with less than perfect credit. However, if you’ve recently been refused credit, it may be worth looking at other options. How to qualify for a car loan with bad credit
Yes, it is possible to get car finance with an IVA or CCJ, but we can’t guarantee anything. We work with specialist lenders who help people from diverse credit backgrounds. It’s easy to find out if you’ll be approved without it affecting your credit score. Can I get car finance with an IVA or CCJ?
Hippo Motor Finance works with lenders who offer car finance deals for those who’ve declared bankruptcy in the past. There’s no guarantee of acceptance, but there’s a guarantee of consideration. Can I get car finance after bankruptcy?
While it’s certainly harder to get car finance with a default, it’s not impossible. By understanding how a default affects your ability to get credit, you may be able to limit the impact and take action to make getting car finance a little easier. Can I get car finance with a default?
You can get credit score if you've made late payments, but it depends on various factors like frequency, timing and lender criteria. Can I get car finance if I've made late payments?
It depends on what stage you're at in your DRO. During the first year of your DRO, you’re not allowed to take out credit worth more than £500 without first gaining permission from the receiver. After your DRO is over it stays on your credit file and will impact the lender’s decision whether to approve your application for car finance. In specialist circumstances like these, we would recommend speaking to one of our advisers. Do DROs affect your ability to get car finance?
It depends on the terms of your DMP, as some may state you can’t borrow more money until the plan is finished. However, car finance is often looked at as an essential, particularly when you need the car for work, so it’s worth checking with your provider. Also, affordability is key here and you need to prove you can keep up with payments on your vehicles. Do DMPs affect your ability to get car finance?

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Representative Example of Credit

We expect more than 51% of our customers to achieve this rate.

Loan Amount Total Cost of Credit Representative APR 60 Monthly Payments Deposit Amount Loan Term Total Amount Payable
£7,500 £3831 19.1% APR £188.85 £0 60 Months £11,331

All offers are subject to change at any time, you must be 18 or over and finance is subject to status, vehicle availability and terms and conditions apply. We can introduce you to a limited number of finance companies, a commission may be received. Failure to maintain payments may result in termination of your agreement and the vehicle being returned, this could affect your credit rating and make it more difficult to obtain credit in the future. All prices correct at time of publication.

We purchase a wide variety of vehicles from all over the country to ensure the best quality and value for our customers, all of our cars go through a thorough inspection process and if they do not meet our standards we do not sell them. We endeavour to inform our customers (where possible) the provenance of the vehicle they are buying and as such we will always inform you if the vehicle has previously been either an ex fleet or hire car. Should your vehicle be an ex hire/fleet car please do not be concerned as we would never value this vehicle differently when you come to part exchange it and there is no difference to the CAP valuation either.

You should try and estimate the distance you will travel as accurately as possible to try and avoid excess mileage charges at the end of your contract.

All pictures and/or photos and car descriptions on this site are for illustration and reference purposes only and are not necessarily the vehicle on offer. All offers are subject to change at any time and are subject to finance approval and vehicle availability. All prices correct at time of publication. E & OE.

Hippo Vehicle Solutions t/a Hippo Motor Finance is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FRN 658076. We are a Credit Broker not a Lender and can introduce you to a limited number of lenders. Subject to status and to UK residents only (excl. the Channel Islands). Individuals must be 18 or over. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. We typically receive a fixed commission calculated by reference to the vehicle model, product or amount you borrow, for introducing you to a lender but this does not affect the interest charged on the agreement, all of which are set by the lender. Images for illustrative purposes only. Hippo Vehicle Solutions t/a Hippo Motor Finance is an Appointed Representative of AutoProtect (MBI) Limited for insurance distribution purposes. AutoProtect (MBI) Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Its firm reference number is 312143. You can check this at www.fca.org.uk

We endeavour to ensure that all information including the specifications and finance availability are accurate. Whilst we make every effort to display correct information we are aware that errors may occur occasionally. We are not able, therefore, to guarantee the accuracy of all information especially when given to us by third parties. If you do require clarification of some information you have seen on our website, please email us at info@hippomotorgroup.com . This does not affect your statutory rights.

We are a broker not a lender and our registered office is Unit 26 Trident Park, Trident Way, Blackburn, BB13NU.

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