In order to improve your credit score, it’s always the same formula — you need to make on-time payments, reduce debt, increase credit lines and use plenty of diversity in your credit profile. Additionally, it will help significantly to keep old lines of credit open.

The average American credit score is 678, but there is a range of credit scores that auto loan lenders will find acceptable. You can qualify for a auto loan with a low credit score, but you may need to seek alternative lending options to do so. In order to secure a auto loan with a traditional lender, you will need to be in the medium to low-risk credit range — this credit score range includes all scores more than 650.

FICO isn’t the only number used to determine your credit risk — the score that counts is the one your lender uses. There is no single credit score number — the compilers of the widely accepted FICO Credit Score allow lenders to customize their system, so different lenders produce different scores.

If you don’t have an established credit history, or if you do have an established credit history but it has some dings, you may need a co-signer to get approved for a loan or credit card. By co-signing a credit application, the co-signer is agreeing to assume responsibility for the debt should you, the primary borrower, default on your agreement to pay the debt.