Contact

Commercial Truck Purchase Options with Bad Credit

June 27, 2018
Commercial Truck Purchase Options with Bad Credit

For many truck drivers, the dream is to walk onto a lot full of semi-trucks for sale and drive off with their very own personal rig. No more working for other people! Being an independent owner-operator means a life of freedom – choosing your own jobs and driving wherever you like. Given the cost of semi-trucks, commercial truck purchase options can be limited. However, that doesn’t mean there’s no hope! There are several ways to improve chances of being approved for a new truck loan.

What to Do If You Want A Truck, But Have Bad Credit

1 – Plan ahead

Just about any attempt to repair your credit will take anywhere between 6-12 months to pull off.  If you’re thinking about going independent, now is the time to investigate your credit and your options.

2 – Get your credit report

Every American is entitled to one free credit report per year, so get yours.  You don’t want any surprises at the dealership.

3 – Look for items you can dispute

Are there any false entries in your credit report, or items you’ve paid off but aren’t shown as paid off?  Dispute those items with the major credit-tracking companies! When creditors can’t produce documentation justifying the credit items, they’ll usually be removed from your report.

4 – Pay off anything you can afford

Are there any debts which would be cheap to pay off?  Make them go away ASAP.  The longer they’re gone from your credit record before attempting a major purchase, the better your credit will look.

5 – Consider credit consolidation

In some cases, you could potentially get one single loan which pays off all the smaller loans and outstanding items on your credit report.  This is often a very good idea – particularly if you establish a history of on-time payments to the new lender.

6 – Talk to your dealership

If you know your credit is iffy, be upfront about it with your dealership.  Sometimes they have special programs you can take advantage of if you give them a head’s up.

7 – Consider buying used

Used semi-trucks for sale can still be a great value, and far less expensive than buying new.  Coopersburg & Liberty Kenworth has both new and used trucks, so contact us for more information on trucks and credit options!