Key takeaways
- You can lease cars with bad credit. Expect higher costs, stricter terms, and limited vehicle options.
- Applying with a cosigner, providing more money upfront, or paying down debt can increase your approval odds.
- Dealerships with in-house financing often have more lenient requirements. You may also be able to take over a lease.
When you’re in the market for a new vehicle, you may consider leasing rather than buying. Car leases have their advantages. They tend to have lower monthly payments, you’re not tied down to one car, and the dealership often covers repairs. A lease can be a cheaper way to get behind the wheel faster. But can you lease a car with bad credit?
Poor credit, or no credit history at all, will make it more challenging to get approved for a lease. If you do qualify, you’ll have to pay more. But it’s not impossible. With a bit of planning and research, you can secure a bad credit car lease.
Find out how you can lease a car with bad credit, alternatives to consider, and what you can do to boost your score.
How does your credit affect leasing?
Your credit score plays a significant role in whether you qualify for a car lease and the terms you’ll receive. Dealerships use scores to assess risk, just like lenders. Generally speaking, you do need good credit to lease a car.
A good score means you’re more likely to make payments on time and fulfill the lease terms. A poor score, on the other hand, indicates that you are at a higher risk of default. Dealerships may require a larger down payment and higher monthly payments if they decide to work with you.
What credit score do you need to lease a car?
There is no set minimum credit score requirement to lease a car. It varies per dealership and car. A score of 700 or higher generally provides the best terms and options. You’ll likely need a score of at least 620 to be considered for a lease.
Experian found that the average credit score for leasing a new vehicle in the third quarter of 2024 was 752. The average score for someone financing a used car was 694. While it’s not impossible to get a lease with a lower score, securing an auto loan can be easier.
Can you get a lease with bad credit?
A poor score may not prevent you from leasing. Many dealerships consider other factors, such as income, employment history, and debt obligations.
What a poor score does is make leasing more expensive. Expect a larger down payment requirement and higher interest rate than someone with good credit. The interest rate is sometimes referred to as the money factor. A high money factor can make leasing unaffordable.
Many dealerships restrict the vehicles available for lease to a specific price range. You may not be able to get the car you had your eye on. Additionally, leasing does not build equity. When it’s time to acquire a new car, you won’t have anything to trade in or funds to apply toward a new ride.
How to lease a car with bad credit
Leasing a car can be more challenging, but you still have options.
Pay more upfront
One of the most effective ways to secure a car lease with bad credit is to make a larger down payment. Paying more upfront reduces the total cost of the lease and lowers your monthly payments. The smaller monthly payments make the lender more confident that you can keep up. You appear less risky and more committed to paying off the lease. In turn, the lender will be more willing to take a chance on you.
Save up so you can offer a more substantial down payment. It can be tough, but getting a no-money-down car lease is virtually impossible.
Need extra cash?
Get a loan cosigner
If you cannot qualify for a lease on your own, a cosigner with good credit can help. A cosigner agrees to take responsibility for the lease if you fail to make payments. The arrangement gives the lender extra security. They have assurance that the lease will be paid, even if not by you.
Since the cosigner minimizes the overall risk, the lender may offer you a lease with lower interest rates and more favorable leasing conditions.
Missing payments will cause trouble for both you and your cosigner. Your cosigner’s credit will be affected, and they will be responsible for paying if you default.
Shop around with different lenders
Not all lenders have the same requirements to lease a car or offer the same terms. Certain dealerships will be more flexible than others. Approach dealerships to ask about their leases. Try to get preapproved – only a soft inquiry – and compare offers from several leasing companies to find the best deal. You may even be able to negotiate terms, though you’ll have less leverage with poor credit.
Take over an existing lease
A lease transfer or lease assumption is when you take over someone else’s lease. You typically approach the leaseholder directly rather than the dealership. Websites like Swapalease and LeaseTrader connect people looking to transfer their leases with potential new lessees.
Lease takeovers still require a credit check. The good news is that leasing companies tend to accept lower scores because the original leaseholder is in danger of default. While you may not have the best rating, you are still a lower risk for the lender.
Missing payments will cause trouble for both you and your cosigner. Your cosigner’s credit will be affected, and they will be responsible for paying if you default.
Lower your debt-to-income ratio
Lenders consider your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio when evaluating your lease application. Your DTI is your monthly debt payments divided by your monthly income. The lower the number, the more room you have in your budget to handle lease payments.
To improve your DTI, you can:
- Pay down existing debt before applying for a lease.
- Increase your income with a side job or part-time work.
- Avoid taking on new debt before leasing a car.
A lower DTI makes you a more attractive applicant and increases your chances of approval.
Trade in a vehicle
If you currently own a car, you can trade it in. Trading in a vehicle with positive equity equals putting more money down upfront. It can serve as a down payment, increase your chances of approval, and reduce the amount you owe. When you owe less, your monthly payments will be lower.
Cheap car leasing: Opt for a less expensive vehicle
If leasing a new car is out of reach, consider a less expensive model or even a used vehicle. A more affordable car means smaller payments, making it easier to get approved. Some dealerships offer certified pre-owned (CPO) leases, often with lower credit score requirements than new car leases. A used car lease may have shorter lease periods and lower financial risk.
Not all dealerships lease used cars, so you may have to shop around. Also, note the terms and how much you will pay. It may be better to buy rather than lease a used vehicle.
Too much debt to handle on your own?
Alternatives to leasing a car with bad credit
You can still get a car even if you can’t secure a competitive lease.
Buy a used car outright
Buying a used car is often more affordable and accessible than leasing when you have poor credit. Leasing companies have strict credit requirements you simply may not meet. While lenders often provide financing to applicants with lower scores.
The reason it’s easier to get an auto loan with bad credit is because the vehicle serves as collateral. If you don’t pay the loan, the lender can repossess your car to recoup their losses. This means you’re less likely to be denied an auto loan, even if your credit is below 680.
Look into in-house financing
Certain dealerships, known as “buy here, pay here” dealerships, offer in-house financing. They often approve consumers with low scores, making it easier to get a lease.
The catch is the terms are frequently less than ideal. You will have to cover the maintenance costs (unlike with a regular lease). The price is high, with steep monthly payments. The selection of cars may be limited to “mostly older models.” Paying a lot to lease an old vehicle may not be worth it.
Get a donated car for free
Certain organizations provide free cars to individuals in need. These programs often focus on low-income families, veterans, or people recovering from financial hardship.
Charities and nonprofits, including 1-800-Charity Cars, Good News Garage, and Vehicles for Change, offer free donated cars to those who qualify. It doesn’t hurt to check and see what you can find.
Blowing your budget on car insurance?
Tips on building credit to lease a car
It’s actually pretty easy to fix a bad credit score. Here are a few actionable steps to raise your rating fairly quickly.
Dispute credit reporting errors: Visit annualcreditreport.com for free copies of your credit reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Look for any errors and dispute them. Getting negative marks off your report can boost your score.
Report rent or utility payments: You can build credit by paying rent, utilities, and subscriptions. These payments aren’t automatically reported to credit bureaus, but you can easily add them. Getting alternative payments on your credit report can be a quick way to build a positive payment history.
Look into a secured card: A secured credit card requires a security deposit (fully refundable) in return for a small line of credit. Make purchases, pay on time, and avoid exceeding 30% of your limit. You’ll see improvements in no time.
Set up auto-pay: Your payment history makes up 35% of your score. Missing even one payment can damage your score. Set up automatic payments or phone reminders so you never miss a due date.
Pay your balance in full: Paying the minimum payment keeps your account in good standing, but paying in full is way better. You will have a low credit utilization ratio and not have to pay a dime in interest.
Request a credit limit increase: A higher limit gives you more spending power. It makes it easier to maintain a low utilization ratio and boost your score.
Ask to be added as an authorized user: If you have a trusted family member or friend with a good to excellent score, ask to be added as an authorized user on their account. You won’t be responsible for making payments, but their good habits will reflect well on your score.
Frequently asked questions
1. Can you lease a car with no credit?
You can get a lease, but it will be challenging. Leasing companies consider scores as a way to assess risk. If you don’t have a credit history, you may need a cosigner, a larger down payment, or proof of steady income to qualify.
2. What does your credit score need to be to lease a car?
Most leasing companies require a minimum credit score of 680 for a car lease. A score above 700 typically qualifies for the best terms, including lower interest rates and fewer upfront costs. If your score is below 680, you may still get approved but face higher monthly payments and stricter lease conditions.
3. Does leasing a car build credit?
Leasing a car does help your credit since leasing companies report monthly payments to the credit bureaus. For it to work, you must make timely payments. Missing a payment or making a late payment will hurt your score.
4. Is it easier to lease or buy a car with bad credit?
Buying is generally easier than leasing cars with bad credit. An auto loan is a secured loan. If you default on the loan, the lender can seize your vehicle. When you lease a car, you’re essentially renting it. When you have bad credit, the lessor is less likely to trust you with their vehicle.
5. How to get a car with bad credit and no cosigner?
You have multiple options for getting a car with bad credit and no cosigner. You can buy a car outright with cash, apply for in-house financing at a buy-here, pay-here dealership, or secure a bad credit auto loan. You can improve your odds of leasing a car on your own by saving for a larger down payment, lowering your debt-to-income ratio, or finding a lease to take over.
Bottom line
You can lease a vehicle with bad credit, but you won’t get the best deal. Your lease will require more money upfront, have higher monthly payments, and you’ll get limited car options. Saving for a larger down payment, adding a cosigner, or taking over a lease can help you secure better terms. You can also explore in-house financing or bad credit auto loans. Financing a used car can be easier and cheaper than leasing a new one with a poor score.
If you’re not satisfied with your options, take the time to build credit and pay down debt before applying again. A high score means you’re a lower risk and more likely to be approved. You’ll be able to make a smaller down payment, secure lower monthly payments, and save money on interest. Raising your rating can make leasing or financing a car more affordable.