Most people have found themselves stuck in a precarious financial situation which led to a dip in their credit score, but contrary to popular belief, it doesn't take years to reverse. In fact, bringing your credit score back into the green is a very straightforward and relatively fast process, provided you exercise financial discipline and maintain a consistent routine. This is encouraging news for anyone looking to buy a car with bad credit history while also improving their financial standing. However, that might be a difficult prospect if you're in need of a new car.

With a bit of planning, you can solve two problems at once by using a car financing loan to up your credit score. How, you may ask? First, it's good to review the basics related to a credit score, particularly the right and wrong moves that can help or harm it. From there, you'll understand why a car financing loan can provide a huge boost that will help you achieve your financial goals quicker. For many Canadians, this is the most practical way to buy a car with bad credit history and rebuild trust with lenders at the same time.

We all know what a credit score is, but many people don't actually understand the "ladder" system. Canadian credit scores range from 300 to 900, with the average score hovering at around 650. That might be enough to get by when it comes to applying for credit on most items, but pricier purchases may be off limits depending on other factors related to your finances.

Rule of thumb suggests that any Canadian with a credit score lower than 600 is considered subprime, and therefore at a higher risk of defaulting. For that reason, lenders tack on higher interest rates in an attempt to mitigate against that risk. While Canadians with a higher credit score above 650 do have access to more attractive purchasing and interest rate options, subprime borrowers aren't necessarily out of luck. Many drivers successfully buy a car with bad credit history by choosing the right lender and loan structure.

While the state of your credit score will obviously play a factor in what kind of car you can get, and the interest rate attached to it, you'll stand a much better chance of finding your optimal dream car if you cover all the bases before walking into the dealership. Many people fail to do a proper credit check on themselves, which can lead to a host of problems when the time comes to buy a car. These include the following:

• Failing to identify any errors on your credit report, such as bills listed as unpaid which you have already taken care of. These kinds of errors do occur from time to time, and can hamper your credit score unnecessarily. Make sure to go through your credit report carefully and clear up any inconsistencies or errors in order to give your credit score a boost before car-buying time.

• Get into the habit of being proactive when it comes to paying bills on time, and clearing up as many debts as possible. This will be reflected in your credit score within the space of a few months. Beware of any items on your credit report with a number "9" next to the item, as this means the debt has been sold to a collections agency. If possible, take steps to deal with these incidents as quickly as you can. Lenders are more willing to help buyers who show recent positive financial behaviour.

• Factor in the severity of your own credit history, which includes declarations of bankruptcy. If you have declared bankruptcy in the past, it will linger on your credit report for as long as 14 years after the fact. Even so, it is still possible to buy a car with bad credit history by working with dealers that specialize in subprime financing.

So, you're ready to buy your car and hopefully attain a financing loan that will allow you to rebuild your credit at the same time. Before congratulations are in order, you'll want to be sure you aren't misstepping during the actual car-buying process. If your credit is less than stellar, you'll want to avoid many of the mistakes car buyers make.

First and foremost, avoid too many hard credit pulls. These include mortgage applications, personal or student loans, and yes, credit card and car loan applications. When you're ready to buy a car, you'll want to keep these hard credit pulls to an absolute minimum at all times. The more you initiate through a variety of dealerships in an effort to shop around, the more flags are placed on your credit report at the worst possible time. Choose a dealer, negotiate a deal on a car that is smart, convenient and sensible, and go from there. Working with one trusted dealership greatly improves your odds of securing approval without unnecessary damage to your credit score.

Alternatively, we invite you to come shop with us at Carhive. The reason? We handle all financing in-house, so you'll never have to worry about putting a foot wrong during the financing process! We guarantee approval for anyone, regardless of their past credit history or current credit score. We've worked with thousands of Canadian drivers who have sought to get their financial well-being back on track, while bringing their credit score back to a lustrous and attractive state. In fact, it's the prime reason our customers keep referring us to friends and family.

If you've already committed yourself to a regimen of financial discipline, then doubtless you're considering your future, and that's always wise. Take what you've applied to your smaller-scale financial responsibilities, and apply them to a car financing loan in order to accelerate the process of getting your credit score back to 650, and even higher than that. It doesn't take years of grueling work to repair a credit score, and most Canadians have accomplished it within the space of just a few short years. You can do it, too!

Carhive has thousands of quality pre-owned vehicles backed by a rigorous inspection process, and our friendly in-house financing department to take care of your car buying needs. If you're looking to score a fancy new ride, and repair your credit score in the process, come talk to us. We'll work with you to determine the easiest and most convenient financing package so you can get started. A brighter financial future starts today, so don't hesitate!