Fresh Start
Life happens. We make it easy to get back on track.
Bad credit, seasonal pay or a turn-down at another dealer: how our Fresh Start Finance Program handles it.
Fresh Start Finance Program
No Credit Isn't Bad Credit. It's a Starting Point.
Buying your first car in Moses Lake, maybe on your first steady paycheck? With no credit history for a lender to study, the case gets made with documents, and we'll show you which ones.
Why a lender treats no credit differently
With bad credit, the file shows trouble: payments that came late or never came. With no credit, the file is close to empty, a common picture for someone who has paid cash for everything, never needed a loan or just started work at an orchard, a packing house or a plant in the Basin. An empty file isn't a negative mark. It just leaves a lender guessing.
Lenders fill that gap with the other items on the CFPB's list: your income compared with what you owe, the amount you're borrowing, how much you put down relative to the vehicle's value, and whether you're choosing new or used.
Your first vehicle, step by step
- Check what the bureaus haveYour reports are free at AnnualCreditReport.com. A thin file can still list something that isn't yours, so look.
- Line up insuranceWashington requires every driver to carry liability coverage (RCW 46.30.020), and the lender may require coverage on the vehicle itself. Get the quote before you pick a truck or SUV.
- Tell us this is your firstUse the quiz or call (509) 765-4517. Our finance office will go over what lenders usually expect from a first-time buyer.
- Bring proof of payIf your job is seasonal, bring stubs or W-2s that cover as much of the year as you can. The full list is below.
- We submit your applicationWhen you're ready, we send it to lenders that take first-time applicants. Every lender decides on approval and terms separately.
- Shop the approved budgetIf a lender approves, choose within the amount it allows. Our cars under $20,000 list is built for first cars and second cars.
A lender makes the call on every application, and approval isn't guaranteed.
What makes a first application stronger
- Steady, documented income: stubs and W-2s, a benefits letter, or tax returns and 1099s for contract work. Lenders may not discount part-time or benefit income because of its source (Regulation B), though each lender sets how much to count.
- Time with the same employer and at the same address
- Cash or a trade toward the price, which lowers the amount you borrow (CFPB)
- A co-signer whose credit is established, if one is willing. Under the FTC's guidance, that person must pay if you don't, so both of you should be sure.
- A vehicle price that still leaves money for insurance and fuel
Credit terms worth knowing
| Term | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Credit report | A file the credit bureaus keep on how you borrow and pay. See your own at no cost through AnnualCreditReport.com. |
| Credit score | A figure calculated from that file. A brand-new borrower may not have one yet. |
| Hard inquiry | A credit check made because you applied. Auto loan checks inside a 14 to 45 day period are generally counted as a single check (CFPB). |
| Co-signer | Someone with established credit who joins your loan and is obligated to pay it if you don't (FTC). |
| Down payment | Money or trade-in value applied to the price up front, shrinking the loan (CFPB). |
First-time buyers, in their words
★★★★★700+ five-star Google reviewsRead our Google reviews for Bud Clary CDJR of Moses Lake
“...She stayed patient, positive, and determined to help me find something that would work for me. ... Instead of pressuring me, Krysten respected my limits and kept searching for better options. ... This is actually my first car, and I couldn’t be happier.”
YaBoiManny, Google review, March 2026
“...Very helpful with walking me through my first car buying experience. ... She was very patient with me as I was asking a lot of questions.”
Charity I., Bud Clary Auburn Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Google review, December 2020
“First time buyer here, ... Their finance team are also allstars and really helped ensure that I had all the knowledge needed to put pen to paper without feeling obligated.”
Elijah V., Bud Clary Toyota of Yakima, Google review, October 2026
Excerpts from 5-star Google reviews, quoted as written. Every buyer's credit is different, and lenders make every credit decision.
Is the loan reported to the credit bureaus?
It depends on the lender. A lender that reports will send in every payment, late and on time alike, and they'll appear on your reports. Ask that question at signing, and match the due date to your payday if the lender allows it.
Costs to plan for after you drive away
Insurance, fuel, tabs, registration and maintenance come with any first vehicle. When you buy used from us, two oil changes and two tire rotations, your first of each, are included at no charge (on an electric car, the tire rotations only). Each used vehicle is put through a 137-point inspection and sold with a free CARFAX report, limited warranty protection for 3 months / 3,000 miles and the option to exchange it within 3 days or 300 miles.
If the vehicle you want is at another Bud Clary store, we'll bring it to Moses Lake without charge, possibly that same day.
Keep going with Fresh Start
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy doesn't have to mean no car.
A Chapter 7 behind you or a Chapter 13 plan underway? The papers lenders want, and Grant County's Eastern District steps.
Bring these to 12174 N Frontage Rd
Each lender asks for its own set of documents. Phone ahead and our finance office will narrow it down.
- Your driver's license
- Your Social Security number or ITIN
- Stubs, W-2s, a benefits letter, or tax returns and 1099s for self-employment
- A lease or recent bill with your current address
- Insurance details, or your agent's phone number
- Your co-signer's license and income papers, if someone is signing with you
Let's find your first vehicle
Start with the quiz up top, fill out the credit application, or talk with our finance office at (509) 765-4517.
Visit Bud Clary Moses Lake Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Bud Clary Moses Lake Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram12174 N Frontage Rd
Moses Lake, WA 98837
Sales
- Mon - Fri
- 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
- Saturday
- 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Sunday
- 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Service
- Mon - Fri
- 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Sat - Sun
- Closed
Frequently asked questions
How do I buy a car with no credit?
Apply with strong paperwork. Without a history to review, lenders rely on your income, how long you've stayed put at work and at home, the cash you bring and any co-signer who joins you. Each lender makes the decision, and approval isn't guaranteed.
Is no credit better than bad credit?
They're different situations rather than better or worse. One shows problems, the other shows little at all, and lenders set their own rules for each.
Can I get my first car with no credit and no co-signer?
Nothing stops you from applying alone. A co-signer can help when your file is thin, but the FTC points out that the co-signer owes the debt if you don't pay.
Can a first loan be based on seasonal income?
Seasonal pay can go on the application. Bring stubs or W-2s that show as much of the year as possible; the lender decides how much of it to count.
What do I need for car insurance the first time?
Your driver's license, the vehicle's details and a quote from an insurer. Washington requires liability coverage to drive, and your lender may want more, so ask before you buy.
Will applying for my first car loan lower my score?
A credit check may lower it slightly. Under the CFPB's guidance, auto loan checks within a 14 to 45 day period are generally counted as one, so apply when you've chosen what you want.
Does Bud Clary Moses Lake CDJR work with first-time buyers?
Yes. First-time buyers apply through our Fresh Start Finance Program, and our finance office sends the application to lenders that consider buyers with no credit history. The lender decides.
Related pages
The Fresh Start Finance Program is Bud Clary Moses Lake Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram's name for how our finance team handles applications from buyers with bad credit, no credit or a past bankruptcy. Financing comes from outside lenders, which decide approval and terms, and approval isn't guaranteed. A negotiable documentary service fee of up to $200 may be added to the sale price.