Does Shopping for a Car Hurt Your Credit? The Truth About Auto Loan Inquiries
It happens all the time — you visit a few dealerships, fill out a few forms, and suddenly your credit report shows five or ten new inquiries. You only wanted to buy one car, but now it looks like you applied everywhere. So, does shopping for a car hurt your credit? And what can you do about it?
The short answer: auto loan inquiries can temporarily lower your credit score, especially if multiple lenders pull your report over a long period. But if handled correctly, the damage can be minimal — and in some cases, removable entirely.
Why Auto Dealers Run Multiple Credit Checks
When you apply for financing at a dealership, the dealer usually sends your application to several lenders at once — called a “shotgun” or “multi-submit” process. Each lender performs its own hard credit inquiry, which appears on your credit reports with Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
These inquiries may show up as different company names (banks, finance arms, or third-party lenders) even though they were triggered by one dealer visit. Unfortunately, to the untrained eye, it can look like you applied for a dozen loans.
How Much Do Car Loan Inquiries Lower Your Score?
- Each individual auto loan inquiry typically lowers your score by 3–5 points.
- Credit scoring models like FICO and VantageScore group similar auto-related inquiries within a short period into a single “shopping event.”
- However, if the inquiries occur outside the 14- to 45-day window, they can count separately and have a greater effect.
In practice, most people lose only a few points when car shopping — but if dealerships spread out applications over weeks, your score can drop much more.
The FICO & VantageScore Window Explained
FICO Scoring
Modern FICO versions (FICO 8 and later) treat all auto loan inquiries made within a 45-day period as one. Older FICO models (still used by many car lenders) use only a 14-day window. Any inquiries outside that time frame each count separately.
VantageScore Scoring
VantageScore 3.0 and 4.0 group auto loan inquiries made within 14 days. If your dealership shopping extends over several weekends, you could easily fall outside that limit — resulting in multiple recorded inquiries.
When Auto Inquiries Become a Problem
Most car buyers can safely shop around for rates without worrying. But inquiries can become harmful when:
- Dealers submit your info to 10+ lenders without your knowledge
- Applications are spread over several weeks
- Different bureaus receive different versions of your report
- Unauthorized or duplicate inquiries appear that you didn’t approve
Excessive or inaccurate auto inquiries can temporarily lower your score and make it harder to qualify for the next loan or credit card — even if your credit is otherwise good.
Can Auto Loan Inquiries Be Removed?
Yes — if the inquiries are unauthorized, duplicated, or unverified. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), each credit bureau must remove any inquiry that the creditor cannot prove you authorized.
That means if a dealership or finance company submitted your info to multiple lenders without clear consent, those inquiries may be eligible for deletion. At InquiriesRemoval.com, we handle that entire process for you.
How to Check for Auto Inquiries
Here’s how to see who pulled your credit during car shopping:
- Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to download your reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
- Scroll to the “Inquiries” or “Credit Checks” section.
- Look for auto lenders, banks, or finance companies you don’t recognize.
Common auto-related inquiry names include companies like “Santander Consumer,” “Ally Financial,” “Capital One Auto,” and “CUDL Auto Lending.” If you see several you don’t recall authorizing, they may qualify as unauthorized or duplicate pulls.
What If a Dealership Says Multiple Pulls Are Normal?
It’s true that dealers often submit to multiple lenders to get you the best rate — but that doesn’t mean all those inquiries are valid or helpful. Some sales reps overshare your data with networks of lenders, which can cause 5–15 hard pulls in one day. Each bureau lists them separately, and not all are recognized as one “shopping event.”
If you didn’t sign multiple authorizations or weren’t told your credit would be pulled several times, those inquiries can be disputed and removed.
DIY vs. Professional Auto Inquiry Removal
DIY Option
You can write directly to the credit bureaus and dispute unauthorized or excessive inquiries. However, the bureaus often reject generic or incomplete requests.
Professional Option
Our team uses precise, FCRA-compliant documentation to challenge each inquiry. We coordinate with all three bureaus, track responses, and ensure proper deletion. Most clients see results within 7–21 days.
Preventing Future Auto Inquiry Damage
- Get pre-approved with one lender before visiting dealerships.
- Limit all applications to a single 14-day period.
- Ask the dealer which banks they’ll submit to before signing anything.
- Monitor your credit reports monthly through CheckMyBureaus.com.
- If you lease or refinance, confirm whether the lender will perform a soft or hard pull.
FAQ: Auto Loan and Car Shopping Inquiries
Do multiple auto loan inquiries hurt my score?
Only slightly — if they occur within the 14- to 45-day window. Outside that range, each inquiry counts separately and can lower your score more.
Can I remove auto inquiries I didn’t authorize?
Yes. Unauthorized or unverified pulls can be deleted under FCRA law. We handle this for clients every day.
How many car loan inquiries are too many?
Anything over six in a few weeks may raise red flags. Ten or more inquiries from similar lenders can appear as credit risk to future creditors.
Do inquiries affect leasing a car?
Yes. Leasing companies check your report the same way loan lenders do. Excessive inquiries may cause higher deposits or denials.
How long do car inquiries stay on your report?
Up to 24 months, but they affect your score for the first 12. Removing them early can restore your points sooner.
Bottom Line
Shopping for a car shouldn’t ruin your credit. A few inquiries are normal, but excessive or unauthorized ones can cause unnecessary damage. Whether you’re financing, leasing, or refinancing, you have the right to verify and remove any inquiry not backed by clear consent.
Our experts help drivers nationwide clean up their credit reports so they can get approved for better loans with lower interest rates.
