Interest rates are significantly higher for scores near 600 compared to "Prime" borrowers. According to recent data from CNBC and NerdWallet , here is what you can expect as of April 2026: Vehicle Type Score Range: Nonprime (601–660) Score Range: Subprime (501–600) ~9.57% APR ~13.17% APR Used Car ~14.49% APR ~19.42% APR
: A borrower with a score in the 500s–600 might pay over $11,000 in interest on a $20,000 used car loan, nearly double what a prime borrower would pay [7]. 2. Loan Approval Odds & Limits
: Use prequalification tools to check rates without affecting your score through a "hard" credit pull [24, 30]. 4. Improving Your Position
Report: Buying a Car with a 600 Credit Score A credit score of 600 is generally considered "Fair" or "Nonprime" by lenders like Experian and Ally . While you can absolutely secure an auto loan with this score, it often falls right on the boundary between subprime and non-prime, which impacts your interest rates and loan terms. 1. Expected Interest Rates (APR)
: Disputing inaccuracies on your credit report can sometimes yield a quick score boost [34].
: Approximately 16% of all auto loans go to borrowers with scores of 600 or below [19].
: Most institutions require at least a 600 score to approve a loan without a down payment; at or below 600, you should expect to pay more upfront to reduce the lender's risk [2, 5]. 3. Key Strategies for Approval
To improve your chances and potentially lower your rate, consider these steps recommended by Bankrate and Starling GMC :