A man is going viral on TikTok after sharing a phone call with a woman who says she’s been struggling to get approved for a car
The clip, posted by Mainline Auto Philly (@mainlineautophiladelphia), opens with a bold claim in the text overlay. "Whoever said a 611 credit score doesn’t get you a car is LYING," it reads.
The video then cuts to part of a call between a salesperson and a woman who says she’s had a tough time at other dealerships.
"Everywhere else I go, they deny me," she says, adding that she’s often told she needs a cosigner or pushed toward a loan she doesn’t want. The salesperson lays out what she’s working with. He says she has a credit score of 611, a steady job, recent pay stubs, and $500 to put down.
"As long as she doesn’t want a Hellcat or a Lamborghini Urus, I mean, this should be a no-brainer, easy deal," he says. He then tells her she "definitely" qualifies and encourages her to come in.
The woman, still cautious, says she hopes the experience will be different this time. "When I come in, I hope I don’t get neglected because everywhere I go, I get neglected," she says.
The salesperson tells her to bring her ID and pay stub and says he’ll make time for her when she arrives.
"When I get my next pay, I’ll be there," she replies. As of this writing, the video has more than 16,200 views.
Credit Score: Does It Affect My Interest Rate On A Car Loan?
While it is true that someone with a lower credit score can buy a car, according to Experian, your credit score ultimately plays a big role in what kind of car loan you’ll get—and how much it ends up costing you.
Lenders use your score to figure out how risky it is to lend to you. The higher your score, the lower that risk looks, which usually means a better interest rate. Lower scores tend to come with higher rates, which can drive up your monthly payment and the total amount you pay over time.
That’s where someone with a score like 611 falls. It’s generally considered fair, not great, but not terrible either. It’s usually enough to get approved, especially if you have a steady job, proof of income, and some money to put down. But it likely won’t come with the best terms.
Experian reports that borrowers in that range pay noticeably higher interest than those with strong credit (a score of 781 or above). That can mean double-digit interest rates depending on the lender and the deal.
It also affects how the deal is structured. You might be limited to certain lenders, asked for a larger down payment, or offered shorter loan terms. All of which is designed to offset the lender’s risk.
That said, approval is still very much on the table. As the video shows, a score like that doesn’t automatically shut you out. It just means the deal might look a little different than it would for someone with top-tier credit.
Shopping around can make a difference, too. Interest rates can vary between dealerships, so it’s not always a one-size-fits-all outcome.
It also helps to know your numbers before you walk in. Getting pre-approved can give you a baseline and a little leverage, so you’re not relying entirely on whatever the dealership offers.
Buyers Question The Fine Print
Commenters who watched the video from Mainline Auto Philly didn’t seem surprised that the woman on the call could get approved, but many zeroed in on what the deal might actually cost her once everything was factored in.
"At 15% tho," one viewer said, pointing to the kind of interest rate she could be looking at.
"What’s the payments gonna look like?" another asked.
At least one person offered a more detailed approach for shoppers in a similar situation, outlining how to navigate a deal with less-than-perfect credit.
"I’ll learned when you got questionable credit it’s easier to know exactly what car you want. Negotiate price under or around MSRP out the door. And then let them send your credit application for that car," one woman wrote. "The LTV WILL LOOK AMAZING versus them sending a car with add-ons that equate to 2-5k over MSRP, excluding your tax and title. Which can easily make your 20k car now 30k easily. I’ve seen it happen, and banks are gonna look at it like you’re crazy."
Others focused less on the numbers and more on the tone of the video itself.
"Nice TikTok videos," one commenter said. "They are amazing, great vibes, keep up the positivity, amen."
Another dropped three fire emojis.
Motor1 has reached out to Mainline Auto Philly via direct message on TikTok. We’ll update this story if we hear back.
@mainlineautophiladelphia Getting denied everywhere else just means you haven't found the right finance team yet... With a solid job, recent pay stubs, and a 611 credit score, she absolutely qualifies for a great vehicle. You do not automatically need a cosigner just because your score isn't perfect. #AutoFinance #CreditScore #CarSales #DealershipLife #CustomerSuccess ♬ original sound - Mainline Auto Philly
