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Get your free credit reports before shopping for a car

Knowing what is on your credit reports can help you prepare for auto financing and spot information that may need attention. You can review a free report from each of the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian and TransUnion—once a week at AnnualCreditReport.com. Checking your own credit report does not lower your credit score.

A credit report lists credit accounts and payment history. A credit score is calculated using information in a report; they are not the same thing, and a free report does not necessarily include a free credit score.

What should you check on a credit report?

Look for accounts you do not recognize, payments incorrectly marked late, balances or account statuses that appear wrong, and duplicate reporting of the same debt. Check personal details for errors or signs that someone else’s information has been mixed into your file. Compare all three reports because they may contain different information.

How to dispute a credit report error yourself

You can dispute inaccurate or incomplete information for free. You do not have to hire a credit-repair company to exercise that right.

  1. Identify the information. Note the credit bureau, account and entry you believe is wrong, and explain what should be corrected.
  2. Gather supporting records. Use copies of statements, payment confirmations or other relevant documents. Keep the originals.
  3. Contact the credit bureau. Submit your dispute through the bureau’s official dispute channel. Explain why you disagree and include the documents that support your position.
  4. Contact the company that supplied the information. Also dispute the error with the creditor or other information provider, using its designated dispute address.
  5. Keep a paper trail. Save your report, dispute, confirmation numbers, supporting documents and responses. If you mail your dispute, consider certified mail with a return receipt.

For instructions and sample letters, see the CFPB’s guide to disputing credit report errors. If an unfamiliar account may involve identity theft, visit IdentityTheft.gov for recovery steps.

How long does a credit report dispute take?

A credit reporting company generally must investigate within 30 days of receiving a dispute. Certain situations allow up to 45 days, including some disputes following a free annual report or when you provide additional relevant information during the investigation. The bureau generally has five business days after completing its investigation to notify you of the results.

A dispute does not guarantee deletion after 30 days. Inaccurate, incomplete or unverifiable information must be corrected or removed as required by law. Accurate information may remain. Review the response and updated report; if you have not received a response by the applicable deadline, follow up with the bureau and keep your records.

See the CFPB’s explanation of dispute timelines for details. If the issue remains unresolved, review the CFPB complaint process. For a complaint about inaccurate or incomplete credit reporting, first dispute directly with the reporting company and wait until the dispute is no longer pending or more than 45 days have passed.

Know the major credit bureaus

Equifax

Use Equifax’s official resources to review its dispute process.

Experian

Use Experian’s official resources to review its dispute process.

TransUnion

Use TransUnion’s official resources to review its dispute process.

Be cautious with credit-repair promises

Accurate, current negative information generally cannot be removed simply because you dispute it or pay someone to challenge it. Be wary of guaranteed score increases, guaranteed approvals, or promises to erase accurate information. Read the CFPB’s guidance on accurate negative information.

Practical tip: Before paying for a credit service, understand what it will do, what it costs, and what you can do yourself for free.

Prepare for auto financing with a clearer picture

Reviewing your credit is one part of getting ready for a vehicle purchase. Use our payment calculator and credit-preparation resources to consider a comfortable budget, including insurance and ownership costs. If you have bad or limited credit, you can still explore available financing options through participating automobile dealers.

Educational information reviewed October 16, 2026. AutoCreditNet.com is a lead-source provider, not a lender or credit-repair service. Disputing an error does not guarantee a higher credit score or financing approval.

Additional Consumer Resources

These independent government resources offer additional information about auto financing, credit, debt, and consumer protection.

These links are provided for consumer education. AutoCreditNet.com is not affiliated with or endorsed by these agencies.