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Do car dealerships have to pull your credit?
A dealership needs your permission to run a credit score and report. They may ask you for it as part of the sales process, so they can find out what kinds of financing you are eligible for and therefore how much you can afford to pay for a car.
Do dealerships run your credit multiple times?
The short answer is: probably. When shopping for a car, auto dealers submit your information to multiple lenders in order to find the lowest interest rate and most favorable loan terms. Therefore, each time your credit report is reviewed by a different lender, an inquiry will appear.
How many times does your credit get pulled when buying a car?
Thus, a single auto loan application made to a single auto dealership can realistically trigger 10 to 20 (and possibly even more) hard credit inquiries on a consumer’s credit report. Fortunately, the system does not punish consumers for trying to save a little money on their car loans.
Can a car dealership run your credit without your approval signature?
A dealership’s finance and insurance manager (or other dealership personnel) cannot run your credit report without your permission and must ask for your signature or verbal permission.
Why do I have so many hard inquiries after buying a car?
When shopping for a car, it is common for auto dealers to submit your information to multiple lenders in an effort to find the lowest interest rate and most favorable loan terms. This practice allows you to benefit from lenders competing for your business. The same practice is used for mortgage lending.
What credit score do car dealerships use?
Most auto lenders use FICO Auto Score 8, as the most widespread, or FICO Auto Score 9. It’s the most recent and used by all three bureaus. FICO Auto Score ranges from 250 to 900, meaning your FICO score will differ from your FICO Auto Score.