Before You Buy: View Your Credit Report
Since your credit history plays a crucial part in your car-buying experience, one of the key things to do before purchasing a vehicle is check your credit report.
According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, you should check your credit report at least once a year. You can obtain one free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — by visiting annualcreditreport.com or calling 877-322-8228. You can also get your credit score from the national credit reporting companies, but they will charge you a fee for your score.
So why should you check your credit report before you begin shopping around for a new or used car? Well, for a few reasons:
- To know your credit score. This gives you the opportunity to research and determine your financing options.
- To be sure the information on your credit report is correct and up to date.
- To check for any errors and guard against identity theft.
- So you are able to fix any mistakes you may find.
If you’ve already checked your credit report and need credit approval to begin the car-buying process, a dealer enrolled in the Credit Acceptance program can help you get started today!
