If you are shopping for a new car, you may be curious as to what credit bureau does Honda use? Verifying which credit agency score a car company uses is wise because your score can vary depending on the scoring model. 

When you go to Honda and request financing, the finance department typically pulls your credit on all three credit bureaus, as well as an averaged FICO score calculated from your Transunion, Equifax, and Experian scores. The credit check protocols vary depending on the location and individual dealership policies. Additionally, the specific lender that finances your auto loan determines which agencies receive your payment history. 

To learn more about what scores Honda uses to determine creditworthiness, which credit bureau the company reports to, and other valuable information, read this guide. 

Which Credit Bureaus Does Honda Use for Credit Checks? 

When you go to a Honda dealership and apply for credit, the finance department runs a credit check. Most Honda locations likely receive a credit report from all three major credit reporting agencies. 

However, some dealerships look at scores from one or two instead. Each car lot has individual policies and procedures for credit checks. 

Why Does the Credit Bureau Honda Uses Matter? 

Each credit scoring company has its own formula or algorithm for calculating scores. So, your score can vary significantly depending on what each agency shows on your report. If your credit score is substantially lower on one bureau than the others, you would want lenders to use the higher score. 

What Credit Bureau Does Honda Use to Report Payment History? 

When you apply for credit at a Honda dealership, there are many different lenders that the finance department may submit your credit application. Depending on which finance company offers you an automotive loan, your Honda vehicle payments may appear on any or all three principal agencies. 

Many consumers who purchase a Honda finance the vehicle through Honda Financial Services. If you qualify for Honda’s financing, on-time payments will likely improve your scores, and missed payments will appear as a derogatory mark on each reporting agency. 

How Does Financing Through Honda Affect Your Credit? 

Financing a vehicle through a reputable company like Honda Financial Services that reports to all three bureaus will help you build a positive credit rating with each on-time payment you make. By building your score on all three agencies, you can raise your overall FICO score, which makes it easier for you to qualify for mortgage loans, personal loans, and other lending products. 

So, using Honda financing instead of visiting a buy here pay here lot like Drivetime or Carmart can help you build a favorable credit profile with each reporting agency. However, if you do not make payments on time, it will impact each of your scores. 

Should You Ask What Credit Bureau Does Honda Use Before Applying? 

For most consumers, scores vary very little. However, there are cases when someone may have a positive rating with one company and not have enough history to receive a score from another.

If your score varies significantly, it can be challenging to qualify for a loan when a lender bases loan approvals and denials on the reporting company with the lower score. So, you may want to check with the finance department at your Honda dealership to determine which bureaus they utilize. 

Furthermore, it is always a good idea to check with a lender to ensure that they report your monthly payments to each agency. As a borrower, you should want to work with lenders that report payments to Transunion, Equifax, and Experian. 

Final Thoughts on What Credit Bureau Does Honda Use?

Most Honda dealerships use scores from all three major agencies. However, as long as your scores do not vary significantly, it should not matter which credit bureau Honda uses. 

When it comes to what credit bureau does Honda use for payment reporting, if you use Honda Financial Services, your history will likely appear on each of the three main agencies. Talk to your finance officer if you have questions about what reports Honda will pull or what companies the lender will report payments to. 

For help with other personal finance topics, like if a moped is worth the cost, read the other guides on our site.