Wheel & Tire Financing with Bad Credit

Financing wheels & tires with bad credit have given more options to consumers than ever before. This financial tool can help make obtaining the wheels and tires you need more realistic, even with less-than-stellar credit history. Here are some essential aspects of bad credit wheel & tire financing:

• What Exactly Is Bad Credit Wheel & Tire Financing?
• Does “No Credit Check” Mean the Same as “No Credit Needed”?
• Where is Wheel & Tire Financing for Bad Credit Available?
• Who Can Get Wheel & Tire Financing, and How Do I Apply?
• FAQs About Bad Credit Wheel & Tire Financing

A decade ago, replacing a damaged rim and four new tires on the fancy end would have cost less than $1,000. As custom wheels and tires became increasingly popular, they also became more expensive.

Today, the average set of 20″ rims and off-road tires for a pick-up truck can easily cost thousands of dollars. Adding a 5th wheel and tire as an emergency spare will bring that figure up even further. For most owners, this is not a realistic expense to cover without obtaining some type of outside financing. Fortunately, wheel, tire, and rim financing options are available to help consumers access the products they need, even if they don’t have good credit.

While they may sound similar, “no credit check” and “no credit needed” is not the same when it comes to applying for financing. In order to be an educated consumer, it’s essential to know the differences and how they may impact your credit history.

• No Credit Check is when someone’s credit will not be pulled in the process of finding lending for a new appliance.
• No Credit Needed refers to the fact that your credit score may be checked, but there are other factors that are part of the approval requirements.

Leases & loans are quite different – here’s what you need to know:

• A loan (or personal loan) is generally a lump sum of funds provided on the recipient’s behalf that is paid back over time (and, like most loans, includes interest.)

• A lease (or rent-to-own option) allows the recipient to possess the leased item for a pre-determined period of time and includes the option to purchase the item outright. It does not include interest but has leasing fees.

A lender that uses alternative methods of evaluating borrowers besides credit scores may advertise no credit checks and rely on different factors instead. That being said, a lender still must evaluate a borrower for creditworthiness. If you happen to see no credit check advertised as part of an in-house financing program, it’s worth asking questions and taking a closer look before signing any agreements.

No credit needed is a more widely used phrase by alternative lenders and serves as an invitation for consumers who have bad credit or no credit to apply for financing regardless of their credit history. To provide consumers with greater flexibility than traditional banks and credit unions, alternative lenders consider other factors when evaluating borrower eligibility. While your credit history will still be pulled through a hard inquiry and reviewed, it is only one factor that is considered instead of the main factor.

Almost any wheel, rim, or tire on the market today can be financed, regardless of bad credit. Alternative lenders can provide financing options for wheel and tire purchases for those who qualify.

The wheel and tire you choose will ultimately depend on what kind of vehicle you have. For example, sports cars and luxury European models tend to come standard with 18” low-profile run-flat tires, whereas off-road and pick-up truck owners like the 20” off-road appearance. On the other hand, standard sedans, compact cars, crossovers, SUVs, and minivans will most likely have 16” all-season tires.

Regardless of your needs, with the right lender, financing options might be available to help you get your vehicle a new set of shoes this season.

We partner with auto-repair shops, retail distributors, and other tire and wheel vendors around the country to make financing wheels & tires possible across the country. To find our partner store locations near you that offer & accept financing, please visit our merchant search tool*.

**Please Note: Payment solutions vary based on the merchant and will be indicated at the beginning of the application process. Be sure to confirm that the merchant you select offers the lease, loan, or alternative payment solution you intend to apply for.

Alternative financing methods have steadily grown in popularity over the last several years. Borrowers who would typically be considered low-quality and high-risk by conventional lenders now find themselves with more flexible payment options thanks to alternative lenders.

As a whole, alternative lenders offer potential borrowers who cannot qualify for traditional financing through a bank or credit union a way to access funding for desired products or services. In addition, eligibility criteria for financing are less strict and consider several factors other than credit score for approval determinations.

Previously, customers could purchase wheels and tires through retailer programs like layaway, where a customer would pay the retailer in incremental monthly payments until the purchase was paid in full. Then, the retailer would maintain possession of the items until they were paid off. That worked if there wasn’t an immediate need for an item but it was quite the hassle if a vehicle wasn’t driveable until a new wheel and tire were purchased as a replacement.

With the growth of alternative lenders and merchant financing, wheel, and tire purchases or emergency repairs are no longer out of reach for those who cannot afford to foot the bill in cash. Luckily, the stigma of only obtaining financing with an immaculate credit report has also been dismantled.

While a bad credit score or tarnished credit history can be improved through responsible borrowing habits, it does take time to see results. In addition, obtaining outside financing for wheels and tires through alternative lending pathways may seem complicated. Still, it can be the helping hand they need to get back on the right track financially for those with bad credit and limited options.