Is there a minimum credit score to lease a car in the UK? Technically, no. Leasing companies use their own scoring systems. These are based on things like your payment history, your other finance agreements, County Court Judgments (CCJs) and affordability.
There's no standard credit score needed to lease a car. However, you stand a better chance of being approved for a lease with a favorable interest rate if you have good credit or better. On the FICO scoring range, that's a score of 670 or above, though lenders may prefer a score of 700 or above.
The specific credit score required for car finance in the UK can vary depending on the lender and the type of car finance deal you want. Generally, lenders prefer applicants with good to excellent credit scores, typically ranging from 670 to 850.
Technically, anyone over the age of 18 can lease a car. However, you need to pass a credit check during the application process. This credit check looks at your financial history and current affordability and rates your score based on these factors. The outcome ranges from very poor to good or excellent.
Scores below 620 are generally considered “poor credit” by most lenders. A score of 700 or above is ideal and will qualify you for the best possible lease terms. While 700+ is preferable, it's still possible to get approved with scores in the mid 600s. Most leasing companies have minimum score requirements around 650.
Can I Lease a Car with Bad Credit? Yes! At Compass Vehicle Services, we specialise in leasing vehicles with bad credit, helping drivers secure a car lease for bad credit even if they've faced CCJs, IVAs, bankruptcy, or missed payments.
Ing to Car and Driver, “Most used auto loans go to borrowers with minimum credit scores of at least 675. For new auto loans, most borrowers have scores of around 730. The minimum credit score needed for a new car may be around 600, but those with excellent credit often get lower rates and lower monthly payments.”
The credit score you need to lease a car will vary between each leasing company. For Leasing Options, to pass your credit check to lease a car, ideally, you need a score of 800 or more. Use our eligibility checker to get an idea of whether you'll be accepted before applying.