Too many difficult questions in a short time. Every time you apply for new credit, such as a car loan, lenders thoroughly investigate your credit report. Too many difficult inquiries in a short amount of time can damage your credit score. However, don't let worrying about difficult inquiries stop you from looking for the best auto loan.
Whenever all of your car loan applications are made within a certain time frame, try to submit all of your applications within a two-week period, credit rating models count them as a query when determining your credit rating. Whenever your credit history changes, such as when you cancel a loan, your credit score may drop slightly. If there are no defaults or bankruptcies in your credit history, this drop should be temporary and your credit score will recover soon. If you have a low credit score, there is a chance that the bank may reduce the amount of your loan.
If your credit report reflects serious problems, such as a “C” credit score or a default statement, your loan application may be rejected entirely. If the total amount exceeds 20% of your monthly income, you may consider buying a car later, when your income has increased. If you don't know how to make comparisons, talk to other car owners or visit forums like SGCarmart for help. However, even though the canceled car loan will ultimately improve your credit rating, having more positive credit accounts open has a greater impact than closing.
Paying off your car loan early will affect your credit rating, but only in the short term, as having an open credit account where you make regular payments has a greater positive impact on your overall credit score. According to Experian, a consumer credit company, your car loan stays on your credit report for up to a decade after you pay it off. Lower credit scores generally translate to higher interest rates on your car loan; over the course of the loan, this can really add up. Getting an auto loan could also diversify your credit mix (the types of credit you have), which can improve your credit score.
If you're applying for a mortgage loan and need to lower your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) to get approved or qualify for a lower interest rate, canceling your car loan early could improve your chances. Generally speaking, if you're looking for an auto loan within a 30-day period, all those difficult inquiries on your credit report will only count as one when your FICO score is calculated. If you only have a few more payments left, paying off your loan early won't save you a significant amount of interest. When you first get an auto loan, you may see a slight drop in your credit ratings because you're taking on significant new debt.
If something goes wrong in the second or third year and you need to sell the car, you may not even recover enough from the sale to pay off the remaining loan. You should not cancel your car loan early if this will lead to a precarious financial situation. You could reduce the pressure on your monthly budget by paying off your car loan early, giving yourself more money for other needs, or saving money for a difficult day.
