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Auto buyers with blemished credit may wonder how they can get approved to buy a car. The answer is sub prime auto financing. When seeking a sub prime auto loan the question shouldn't be just, "How do I get approved?" The better question to ask is, "How do I get approved for the best sub prime auto financing available?"

Prospective car buyers who have a credit score below 620, a history of late payments or a recent bankruptcy will all be candidates for sub prime auto financing. However, all sub prime loans are not created equal and the wise shopper will do a little homework before going out to the car lots.

Pulling you own credit report is a good place to start any time a major credit purchase is being considered. A buyer wants to know as much about his credit record as a potential lender knows. Check your report for inaccuracies and notify the credit reporting agencies if you find any.

Being realistic about the car a buyer can afford also increases the chances of obtaining a sub prime auto loan. This purchase is the first step in repairing less than stellar credit and it may require buying the best car for the buyer's budget not the purchaser's dream car.

The largest possible down payment will further help the buyer to find sub prime financing. A down payment may also lower the interest rate of the loan. A lower interest rate generally translates into a lower monthly payment as well.

Just as finding the right kind of car requires shopping finding the right kind of sub prime auto financing requires shopping. An auto dealer makes part of his profit from financing car loans. The car loan made on the lot with the dealer may therefore cost more than auto financing that is arranged before hand by the buyer. Even a consumer looking for sub prime financing may be able to be pre-approved for an auto loan. Walking onto the car lot with a loan in hand gives a buyer more clout in the process of negotiating the auto's price.

Where are some of the places a shopper with damaged credit can look for an auto loan?

1. Financial Institutions That You Already Have Relationships With - Many banks will help a current account holder to re-establish credit, particularly if the customer has both checking and savings account. Some credit unions are also relaxing their credit standards to include sub prime financing. If the applicant has direct deposit with the institutions and will allow payments to be set up as regular debits this also works favorably.

2. Look For Lenders Through References - Check with The Better Business Bureau, use the yellow pages and ask friends for references.

3. Look On The Internet- Be wary, however, of giving out credit information to anyone who solicits loan business online. This applies equally to anyone who solicits business through the mail or over the phone. Always check a company out before providing it with any sensitive information.

Once several lenders have been targeted, a buyer should sit down with them and be honest about the situation. Many consumers require sub prime auto financing and they should not allow themselves to be pressured or intimidated because they are embarrassed about their credit histories. Receive all offers in writing and take the time to read them carefully and compare them.

Finally, remember that receiving credit is an ongoing process. Making timely payments on a sub prime auto loan can be the first step in revitalizing a poor credit record.