: Look for incorrect late payments or accounts that don't belong to you.

Before visiting a dealership, pull your credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com .

Lenders for bad credit look at your current financial stability more than your past mistakes. 10 Steps to a Successful Bad Credit Car Purchase

: Most lenders use FICO scores, which may differ from the free "educational" scores seen on some apps. 2. Strategic Preparation