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How to Buy a Car with Bad Credit in Amarillo, TX

by Jeff Stevens - Posted 4 days ago


How to Buy a Car with Bad Credit in Amarillo, TX

If you're living in Amarillo and dealing with bad credit, you're not alone—and you're not out of options. Whether you've faced past financial setbacks, medical debt, divorce, or missed payments, the team at Xtra Auto Center is here to help you move forward with real solutions that fit your situation.

We understand how frustrating it can be to walk into a dealership, only to be told “no” by banks or lenders because of your credit score. That’s why we’ve built our entire approach around second chances. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about buying a car with bad credit in Amarillo, from preparation to financing to rebuilding.


What Counts as Bad Credit?

“Bad credit” generally means a FICO score below 580. It could result from late payments, high credit card balances, collections, or even lack of credit history. The good news is that your credit doesn’t define your future. Many of our customers in Amarillo come to us with scores in the 400s or 500s, and we help them drive away with confidence.

If you’re not sure where you stand, start by getting a free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com. Review it for any inaccuracies and get a clear picture of what lenders will see.


Why Traditional Lenders Say No

Conventional banks and credit unions often use strict approval standards. They look at credit scores, income stability, debt-to-income ratio, and past repossessions. If you fall short in one area, it can be an instant decline.

Buy Here Pay Here dealerships like Xtra Auto Center offer a better path. Since we provide in-house financing, we make approval decisions ourselves—based on your current situation, not your credit history. That means a better shot at driving today.

Learn more about our financing process.


What Makes Buy Here Pay Here Different?

Buy Here Pay Here (BHPH) means we are both the car dealer and the lender. Here’s why that matters:

  • Faster decisions: No waiting for bank approvals

  • More flexibility: We consider income, employment, and residency—not just your credit score

  • Better accessibility: Even if you’ve been turned down elsewhere, we may say yes

  • Local trust: Our team is based here in Texas and we know the Amarillo community

You can get started with our easy pre-approval form, which takes just a few minutes.


How to Prepare Before You Visit

While we specialize in helping people with bad credit, there are still steps you can take to make the process smoother and improve your approval odds:

1. Know Your Budget
Figure out how much you can realistically afford per month. Include insurance, gas, and maintenance in your calculations. Use a car loan calculator online to get a rough estimate based on different down payments and loan terms.

2. Save a Down Payment
Even a few hundred dollars down can help. It lowers your loan amount, improves your approval chances, and reduces the total interest paid over time.

3. Bring Your Documents
Here’s what we recommend bringing when you visit:

  • Recent pay stubs or proof of income

  • Proof of residence (utility bill, lease, etc.)

  • Driver’s license

  • Trade-in title (if applicable)

  • References

Having these ready shows you're serious and helps us get you into a car faster.


What Kind of Cars Can I Get with Bad Credit?

At Xtra Auto Center, we offer a wide selection of used cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs that are ideal for buyers with bad credit. Our vehicles go through thorough inspections and are priced fairly to help make monthly payments manageable.

We update our inventory regularly, so whether you need a fuel-efficient commuter car or a family-sized SUV, there’s a good chance we have something for you.

If you’re looking for something specific, use our vehicle finder tool and we’ll help you locate it.


Can Buying a Car Help Rebuild My Credit?

Absolutely—if your dealership reports to the credit bureaus. Many BHPH dealers do not, but we do.

On-time payments made through our in-house financing system get reported to major credit agencies, giving you a chance to build positive credit history. Over time, that can help improve your score, making it easier to qualify for traditional loans or better rates in the future.


What If I’ve Had a Repossession or Bankruptcy?

We work with many Amarillo drivers who’ve had a recent repo or bankruptcy. While every situation is different, these events don’t automatically disqualify you from financing. It depends on how recent the event was and your current ability to make consistent payments.

The best way to find out where you stand is to contact us or stop by for a quick consultation. No pressure, no judgment—just answers.


Common Myths About Buying a Car with Bad Credit

Myth 1: I’ll only get junk cars
Truth: We carry clean, reliable used cars that are inspected and serviced. Check out our testimonials to hear from other satisfied buyers.

Myth 2: I need a co-signer
Truth: Many of our customers are approved on their own. A co-signer can help, but it’s not required.

Myth 3: I’ll pay super high interest
Truth: While rates vary based on risk, our goal is to keep payments affordable. We tailor loan terms to your unique situation.


Building a Relationship That Lasts

At Xtra Auto Center, we’re not just here to make a sale. We want to build a long-term relationship with our customers. That’s why we offer:

We’ve been trusted by drivers across Amarillo, Pampa, Borger, and beyond for years because we believe in fairness, flexibility, and second chances.


Your Next Steps

Ready to move forward? Here's what to do next:

  1. Browse our used inventory

  2. Schedule a test drive

  3. Apply online using our secure finance form

  4. Call us or stop by if you have questions

Don’t let a low credit score keep you off the road. Xtra Auto Center is here to help you drive with confidence—and rebuild while doing it.