Written by: Eric Bank
Edited by: Lillian Guevara-Castro
The American economy is one that drives; in fact, up to 90% of Americans drive to work. When you need a car to get to your job, it has to remain in good working order or your livelihood is threatened. It’s ironic that frequently those with lowest credit scores are the most dependent on a weekly paycheck and most vulnerable to financial difficulties caused by an inoperative vehicle.
We don’t believe consumers with poor credit should suffer the double-whammy of unaffordable repairs and lost wages. Here we offer solid information about three alternative ways to borrow the money you need to get back on the road. As you explore the article below, you’ll find three car repair financing for bad credit options that include personal loans, unsecured credit cards, and even auto lenders.
1. Personal Loans
Our expert analysts review and rate services that obtain loans for consumers with bad credit. We look at a number of features, including how much you’ll pay in interest, the likelihood that you will be approved, and the reputation of the service. We search for services that look for ways to say “yes!”, unlike most banks and lenders who see a bad credit score and immediately say “no!”
Our top three picks for bad credit personal loan services are:
- Personal loans from $500 to $35,000
- All credit types are considered and welcome
- Simple, no credit impact form
- Helping consumers since 2001
- 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot rating with 2,000+ reviews!
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500 to $35,000 | 5.99% - 35.99% | 60 Days to 72 Months | See representative example |
2. MoneyMutual
- Short-term loans up to $5,000
- Online marketplace of lenders
- Funds available in as few as 24 hours
- Simple online form takes less than 5 minutes
- Trusted by more than 2 million customers
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to $5,000 | Varies | Varies | See representative example |
- Small personal loans starting at $100
- Receive an approval decision in as little as 2 minutes
- Funds can be deposited into your account in one business day and used for any purpose
- No hidden fees
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 to $20,000 | Varies | Varies | See representative example |
+See More Personal Loans for Bad Credit
All three of these services work with folks who have bad credit or no credit. They provide quick online applications and get you your money right away, usually within 24 hours. The minimum size loan varies from $100 to $2,000, which can come in handy if you need a new transmission or engine.
2. Unsecured Credit Cards
Whether your credit score is fair or poor or you have only a limited credit history, we can hook you up with the top credit cards that offer unsecured credit.
These cards are the most desirable because they don’t require a security deposit. You pay the monthly balance without having to maintain a preset balance in your checking account.
Here is a list of our top three picks:
- Up to $1,000 Initial Credit Limit
- See if you Pre-Qualify with No Impact to your Credit Score
- Less than perfect credit? We understand. The Surge Mastercard is ideal for people looking to rebuild their credit.
- Unsecured credit card requires No Security Deposit
- Perfect card for everyday purchases and unexpected expenses
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- Access to your Vantage 3.0 Score from Experian (when you sign up for e-statements)
- Use your card everywhere Mastercard is accepted at millions of locations
- Enjoy peace of mind with Mastercard Zero Liability Protection for unauthorized purchases (subject to Mastercard guidelines)
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 minutes | 35.90% Fixed | Yes | 8.5/10 |
- Earn Cash Back Rewards* on All Eligible Purchases – 3% on Gas, Groceries, and Utilities, and 1% on All Other Eligible Purchases
- Up to $1,000 credit limit subject to credit approval
- Prequalify** without affecting your credit score
- No security deposit
- Free Access to your Credit Score†
*See Program Terms for important information about the cash back rewards program.
** Prequalify means that you authorize us to make a soft inquiry into your credit history (that will not affect your credit) to create an offer. If you accept an offer a hard inquiry will be made. Final approval is not guaranteed if you do not meet all applicable criteria (including adequate proof of ability to repay). Income verification through access to your bank account information may be required.
† Your credit score will be available in your online account starting 60 days after your account is opened. (Registration required.) The free VantageScore 4.0 credit score provided by TransUnion® is for educational purposes only. This score may not be used by The Bank of Missouri (the issuer of this card) or other creditors to make credit decisions.
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 minutes | 36% Fixed | Yes | 8.0/10 |
- Earn Cash Back Rewards* on All Eligible Purchases – 3% on Gas, Groceries, and Utilities, and 1% on All Other Eligible Purchases
- Use Anywhere Mastercard is Accepted
- $0 fraud liability**
- Free access to your VantageScore 4.0 credit score from TransUnion®†
*See Program Terms for important information about the cash back rewards program.
**Fraud liability subject to Mastercard rules.
† Your credit score will be available in your online account starting 60 days after your account is opened. (Registration required.) The free VantageScore 4.0 credit score provided by TransUnion® is for educational purposes only. This score may not be used by The Bank of Missouri (the issuer of this card) or other creditors to make credit decisions.
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 minutes | 36% Fixed | Yes | 8.0/10 |
+See More Credit Cards for Bad Credit
The best of these offer cash-back rewards, provide online alerts, and report your payments to the credit bureaus. In just 10 minutes, you can have a new credit card that will be recognized by your car repair shop, no questions asked.
3. Auto Lenders
What do you do if your car is damaged beyond repair and you need an auto loan to get a replacement vehicle? We recommend lenders who specialize in auto loans for people with bad credit. As with all our recommendations, we rate auto lenders based on their terms, reputation, and other important factors.
Our recommended auto lenders specialize in obtaining hard-to-get subprime auto loans. The best ones can get you an auto loan even if you have bad credit, no credit, repossessions, or bankruptcies. You can get pre-qualified in as little as 30 seconds.
Here are the top three recommendations:
- Network of dealer partners has closed $1 billion in bad credit auto loans
- Specializes in bad credit, no credit, bankruptcy and repossession
- In business since 1999
- Easy, 30-second pre-qualification form
- Bad credit applicants must have $1500/month income to qualify
- See application, terms, and details.
| Interest Rate | In Business Since | Application Length | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.99% - 29.99% | 1999 | 3 minutes | 9.5/10 |
2. LendingTree
- Auto loans for purchase, refinance, and lease buyouts
- Nationwide lender network
- Get matched with up to 5 lenders that fit your financial profile
- It only takes a few minutes and is free with no obligation
- See application, terms, and details.
| Interest Rate | In Business Since | Application Length | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varies | 1998 | 4 minutes | 9.5/10 |
- Free, no-obligation application
- Specializes in auto loans for bankruptcy, bad credit, first-time buyer, and subprime
- Affordable payments and no application fees
- Connects thousands of car buyers with auto financing daily
- See application, terms, and details.
| Interest Rate | In Business Since | Application Length | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varies | 1994 | 3 minutes | 9.0/10 |
We carefully research all of our recommended lending services and give them a precise rating based upon our impartial analysis. If your car is causing you problems, we hope one of these options can be your solution.
Photo credits: blog.capterra.com
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