If you’ve just heard you can only qualify for a “bad credit” auto loan, know that you are far from alone.

More than 50% of Americans today DO NOT fall into the “prime” or “excellent” credit category that wins the best interest rates. Many gasp upon hearing the word “bad” in the description of their only possible auto loan, but rest assured, the bad credit auto loan is simply another category of frequently approved loans.

In fact, in the first quarter of 2014, U.S. banks approved 44% more bad credit auto loans than they did in the same period the previous year. With the economy improving, banks are more willing to take on customers with less cash at hand. (First Financial’s bad credit auto loan has a 93% approval rate.)

With the negative power taken out of the term “bad credit auto loan,” the next step in getting a reliable, attractive car is convincing the spouse or parent who may be co-signing, helping with down payments or monthly payments. We’ve made sure to add all the statistics and links so you can back up your case.

Bad Credit Auto Loan Interest Rates Are Higher But Not Outrageous

. . . and definitely NOT unheard of

Financial talking heads on television or radio can sour your significant other or another important family member on the bad credit auto loans. Sure . . . . those in the prime or “excellent” credit category get the lowest auto loan rates, but paying 7% to 10% or more for an auto loan still keeps reliable, attractive cars affordable.

Further, during some periods of the past 50 years, even those with excellent credit were paying over 10%. Ask a parent or grandparent what they paid for an auto loan at various times. Show them that you have proof that interest rates peaked in 1981 at 16% and only dropped under 10% as recently as 1997.

Getting a Bad Credit Auto Loan Helps You Get to Better Credit

That you make payments on time monthly gets reported to the credit bureau, slowly raising your score over the next months and years. Once your credit inches up into the “fair” category and then even the “good” category, you can consider refinancing at a lower rate.  And all that time you had a reliable car.

More, having reliable transportation to a job is a sure way to get the money needed to be a better bill payer. Many jobs even insist you have your own car. Stress to loved ones that you consider the higher interest bad credit auto loan a temporary fix while you work your way out of a negative credit picture. Maybe landing in the bad credit category taught you some important lessons, mistakes you don’t want to repeat.