Unless you've got some pretty deep pockets (or a really rich uncle), you probably need to apply for a Billings car loan before buying your next vehicle.

But the auto loan process can be tricky, and you want to make sure you know what you're doing -- especially where your credit score is involved.

At Denny Menholt Billings Nissan, we offer Billings car loans for people with no or low credit, so we know what we're talking about here. Read on to learn the basics of auto loans and credit checks.

3 Things to Know about Credit Checks for Car Loans in Billings

1. Your credit score is a key factor -- but it's not the only one.

Your credit score is the first thing most lenders will look at when deciding what sort of auto loan to grant you. That's why it's a good idea to know what your credit score is before starting any negotiations.

By law, you are entitled to one free credit report from each of the three national credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) every year. While you're at it, be sure to check your spouse's credit and your own FICO score as well.

That said -- while your credit score is undoubtedly important, it's not the only consideration in getting you a good auto loan. Other financial info, like your monthly income, also factors in.

At Denny Menholt Billings Nissan, as long as you have a job, you have credit in our book. Even if your credit score isn't great, we can still get you great interest rates and terms. Click here to learn more about our bad credit car loans! 

2. Before buying a vehicle, your dealer will need to pull your credit.

Once you've checked your own credit score and found a vehicle you love, your dealership will need to pull your credit report as well.

There are a number of reasons Billings car dealers ask to run your credit report:

• They need to know if you'll be able to pay for the car.
• They will use it to determine what loan rates and terms they can get you (which are almost always better than the ones you'll get from a bank).
• They are required by law to verify your identity before you buy, and running your credit report is the most efficient way to do that.

Note that dealerships are not allowed to pull your credit without your permission, so don't let that happen. You also don't want to get your credit pulled before you're ready to buy, as multiple credit checks could impact your credit score.

3. When you're ready, online approval can expedite the process.

When you're finally ready to apply for your auto loan, you've got a few options.

Of course, you can visit your Billings car dealer and do it in person. This is the best option if you aren't quite sure what to do and want someone knowledgeable to help walk you through it.

But to get approved fast, your best bet might be an online finance application. Simply fill out your personal and vehicle information, and it will take care of the rest. It's totally safe, so you don't have to worry about your information being stolen or misused. And you can do it from the comfort of your own home!

To start the approval process, fill out our application here.

Got Bad Credit in Billings? You Could Be Driving a Brand-New Nissan!

Is your credit less than perfect?

We hope we didn't scare you off with all that credit-check stuff. Because at Denny Menholt Billings Nissan, you don't need awesome credit to get good car loans in Billings. For us, if you have a job, you have credit!

You don't even need to buy a used car. In fact, you could buy a brand-new Nissan with a full factory warranty, backed by a full service department -- all for less than you spend on coffee and lunches every week!

To learn more about our fantastic payment plans for credit-challenged individuals, call us at (406) 655-1111, and ask for the auto loan center. Of course, you can always apply online for a quick and easy assessment!