Auto lenders only look at your monthly income when determining your eligibility for a car loan
. So how much you work isn’t the concern—it’s how much you make. As long as your monthly income amount meets the lender’s requirements for the loan, your part-time job should not hinder you from getting approval. That being said, you may want to consider finding a cosigner
for the loan to increase your odds of approval. A cosigner is someone with good credit who can back you on your car loan—usually a friend or relative. If your credit is iffy or your income isn’t quite what a lender would like to see, having a cosigner can make a big difference in determining whether or not your loan is approved.
But you should keep in mind that defaulting on any payments will result in your cosigner being held responsible—so it’s important to stay on top of auto loan payments if you have a cosigner.
If you can’t find a cosigner, look for lenders willing to work with low-income earners. Lending Tree is a popular lender among drivers with below-average income, while CARMax is a strong choice for buyers of used vehicles!
The best way to find out what sort of car loan you qualify for is by shopping around with different lenders. Shopping for quotes will give you a clearer idea of whether you may need a cosigner, or if a car loan is in the cards for you right now.