by Jeff Stevens - Posted 4 days ago
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
A customer survey to give feedback
A referral program so you can earn rewards
Employment opportunities if you’re looking to join our growing team
We’ve been trusted by drivers across Amarillo, Pampa, Borger, and beyond for years because we believe in fairness, flexibility, and second chances.
Ready to move forward? Here's what to do next:
Browse our used inventory
Apply online using our secure finance form
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.