P&A Providers & Administrators
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Study: Tesla Drivers Have Highest Credit Scores

An analysis of more than 35,000 loans for pre-owned vehicles on the LendingTree platform finds Tesla, Porsche, and Lexus buyers had the highest average credit scores.

May 1, 2019
Study: Tesla Drivers Have Highest Credit Scores

Tesla had the highest average credit score among used-car buyers in 2018, according to the latest figures from LendingTree.

Photo courtesy Tesla Motors Inc.

1 min to read


CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Online loan marketplace Lending Tree released a study ranking car brands by their buyers’ average credit score. The study, which was based on an analysis of more than 35,000 used auto loans on the LendingTree platform, found luxury marques occupied each of the top three spots: Tesla buyers scored highest with an average of 740, followed by Porsche (727) and Lexus (699).

Chrysler buyers have the lowest scores with an average of 656; analysts noted this still falls in the “fair” range. It’s also right around the average credit score for all used-car purchases.

Ad Loading...

For most automotive brands, a credit score in the “good” range (670–739) was enough to be approved for an auto loan. Of the 30 different makes analyzed, 22 had an average approved credit score fall into that range. The analysis excluded makes that failed to register enough purchases to create reliable estimates.

“For auto dealers, this data certainly helps to reveal more their core customers — and how they can market to them better,” Derek Miller, a senior research analyst at LendingTree, told F&I and Showroom. “But it also suggest to dealerships what kind of financing they should be prepared to support their customers with.”

To view the full report, click here.

Originally posted on F&I and Showroom

More Industry

Subwoofer in trunk of car.
Industryby Lauren LawrenceMay 26, 2026

Ownership Priorities are Shifting

A new survey shows that in the U.S. vehicle quality for generation Z is largely defined by advanced safety features, intuitive technology and premium sound systems.

Read More →
Man's hand holding gas pump in fuel tank of white car
Industryby Hannah MitchellMay 26, 2026

Pump Price Jump Calculated

ISeeCars.com examined fuel costs for different power trains, finding which ones have experienced the biggest hits since the war in Iran commenced.

Read More →
Graphic showing previous week's truck and SUV segment prices
Industryby StaffMay 20, 2026

Black Book: Weekly Market Update

Wholesale values fell last week despite the spring season still being in the traditional full-gear mode, analysts said.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of dealership sign with Toyota logo
Industryby Lauren LawrenceMay 19, 2026

Arkansas Auto Group Acquires First Indiana Rooftop

Performance Brokerage Services represented both the buyer and seller in the sale of Carver Toyota of Columbus by Carlock Automotive Group.

Read More →
Headshot photo of Antonio Filosa, Stellantis CEO
Industryby Hannah MitchellMay 19, 2026

Stellantis to Dive Into U.S. Lending

The multinational maker of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram and multiple other brands received conditional approvals for a Utah-based industrial bank.

Read More →
Photo of the rear of a new BMW iX SUV
Industryby Hannah MitchellMay 12, 2026

New-Vehicle Prices Rise

With April sales down, higher prices on in-demand large vehicles helped inflate the overall ATP, though increases were under long-term averages, Cox Automotive reported.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic of car segments' results the previous week
Industryby StaffMay 12, 2026

Black Book: Weekly Market Update

Last week in the wholesale automotive market proved to be a mixed bag, analysts reported.

Read More →
Graphic of last week's estimated used retail days to turn
Industryby StaffMay 6, 2026

Black Book: Weekly Market Update

Conversion rates were flat last week at 63%, Black Book analysts calculated, as low-mileage and almost-near units outpaced the overall market.

Read More →
cargo ship with vehicles, at dock
Industryby Lauren LawrenceMay 5, 2026

EU Auto Association Urges Action

Trade relations between the European Union and the U.S. are at risk, causing the European Automobile Manufacturers Association to push lawmakers to make a decision.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
two people working on a paper contract together
IndustryMay 1, 2026

Driving into the Super CFC Era

Understanding the risks and benefits of retail accounting and Super CFCs can help you better present options to your dealer partners.

Read More →