There is little in life that is less convenient than being in need of a set of your own wheels but not being able to afford a car. These days, owning a car is pretty much a necessity if you want to be able to hold down a steady job, buy food, or visit friends.

It is true that we live in a consumer society centered around making and spending money. Everything is set up this way. Unless you live in the middle of the downtown district of a good-size city, you basically need a car to do either one.

If you cannot afford a car due to lack of cash, you are probably considering taking out an auto loan. But, whether you choose to go with an auto dealer or buy from a private seller, you are going to need to convince the lender that you are credit-worthy. This is tough to do if you have a poor credit score.

The Relationship Between Your Credit Score and Qualifying for a Loan

Everyone has a lens through which they view the world and other people. This is especially true of auto loan lenders. To 99% of the lenders out there, you are a walking credit score. Meaning: when they see you and run your credit report, those 3 little numbers basically color their whole view of you.

This state of affairs is all fine and dandy if you have a good credit score. But, if your score less than perfect or even "bad," (say, under 600), you face a real challenge. The bottom line is that it is very difficult to qualify for an auto loan if you have bad credit (FICO) score.

Banks that Accept Bad Credit for Auto Loans - 3 Tips

Fortunately, there are some banks that accept bad credit scores when considering auto loan applications. Here are 3 tips for how to get approved:

1. Look for "bad credit auto loan" banks: As any good fisherman will tell you, you have to fish where the fish are. This is just as true when searching for a bad credit auto loan lender. Start your search by looking for banks that advertise that they specialize in people with poor or bad credit scores. This is only about 1% of banks, but they are out there and they want your business.

2. Find banks that advertise that they consider more than just your credit score: Some banks will not outright say they are looking for bad credit individuals, instead opting for a more subtle approach. These banks will tell you that they don't just consider your credit score as the only criterion for granting a loan. That's your clue that they are open for business.

3. Prepare your employment history and other important documents: One thing that banks appreciate, in lieu of a strong credit score, is having other information that testifies to your character. This could be, for example, having a history of home ownership, living in the same place for a long time, and having a job. Bring in any documentation you have that can bolster your case.

Follow these 3 tips for finding banks that accept bad credit for auto loans.