Want Great Auto Loan Rates? Check Your Credit

(ARA) -. With auto manufacturers reporting slow sales and gasoline at record highs, anyone in the market for a new car can find some great deals. But before you hit the dealership, you should do a little homework to make sure you can get the best rate on an auto loan.

The single most important thing you can do to get the best rate is to know your credit score at least 30 days before you apply for a loan. This provides you with the opportunity to raise your score if you find out it's low. Knowing your credit score means you'll be better aware of the rates a lender will give you. A higher score tells lenders you're less of a risk because you have a history of responsible credit usage and paying on time. Consequently, you will receive better rates.

You can check your credit score quickly and easily at GoFreeCredit.com. The credit report is free and you can try to credit monitoring service free for 30 days. Use it to monitor any activity and make changes to increase your score, if necessary. GoFreeCredit.com gives a detailed, personalized analysis of your credit report with advice on how to improve it. You can also get information on how to understand your credit report. After the 30 day trial, you can continue the service for a low monthly fee to keep an eye on your credit report and help prevent fraud.

Experts advise checking your credit report several times every year, but checking too often with other services can hurt your credit score. Using GoFreeCredit.com will not negatively affect your score, no matter how often you check it.

When checking your report, it's important to verify your credit history is correct. No one wants to sit down to discuss an auto loan only to find out a simple error has lowered their credit score, negatively affecting their rate. Examples of common errors include small unpaid balances from long-forgotten credit cards or false accounts opened in your name by someone else.

GoFreeCredit.com can refer you for a free consultation with an accredited credit repair company to help you remove such errors from your report.

The last thing to do before visiting the dealer is to arrange your financing. Most people don't realize that dealers tack on extra percentage points to the interest rates they offer. Arranging your financing online can save you hundreds of dollars per year.

Just a few extra steps before you start test driving new cars can help you get a great rate on your next auto loan. To sign up for your free credit report and score with unlimited access to your 30-day credit monitoring trial, visit GoFreeCredit.com and check your credit report today.

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