If you've been turned down by traditional lenders or dealerships because of bad credit, no credit, or past financial struggles, you've probably heard the term "Buy Here Pay Here" — but you might not know exactly what it means or whether you'd qualify. At Auto Mart Used Cars in Nashville, we've been doing Buy Here Pay Here financing since 1963, and our approach is a little different from what you might expect.
What Is Buy Here Pay Here Financing?
Buy Here Pay Here (BHPH) means the dealership acts as its own lender. Instead of going through a bank or credit union, you finance your vehicle directly with us. We handle the loan in-house, which means your credit history — or lack of one — doesn’t disqualify you the way it would at most dealerships.
What’s Actually Required to Get Approved
We get asked all the time: "What do I need to qualify?" Here’s the honest answer — our requirements are minimal because we’re focused on your current situation, not just your past.
No minimum job tenure. You don’t need to have been at your job for a certain amount of time. If you’re working and bringing in income, that’s what matters to us.
No minimum residency requirement. We don’t require you to have lived at your current address for a set period. New to Nashville? Recently moved? That’s okay.
No automated approval systems. Your application isn’t run through a computer algorithm that automatically declines you based on a number. Real people review your situation.
We Look Beyond the Credit Score
Most traditional lenders make their decision almost entirely based on your credit score. We don’t. A low credit score often tells an incomplete story — a medical emergency, a job loss, a divorce. We understand that life happens.
What we’re really looking at is whether you’re in a position to make payments now. That’s the conversation we want to have with you.
Locally Owned, Family Operated
Auto Mart has been family-owned and operated since 1963. We’re not a corporate chain with rigid policies handed down from a national headquarters. We have the flexibility to work with people on a case-by-case basis, which is something big dealerships simply can’t do.
How to Apply
Getting started is simple. You can fill out our online financing application or come in person to our lot at 2721 Nolensville Pike in Nashville. We’re open Monday through Saturday. Either way, someone from our team will review your application and talk through the options with you.
The Vehicles Are Clean Title Only
One thing we want to be upfront about: every vehicle on our lot has a clean title. No salvage, no rebuilt, no flood-damaged vehicles. You’re financing a car you can trust, not a liability waiting to happen. We think that matters a lot, especially when you’re rebuilding financially.
Can BHPH Financing Help Rebuild My Credit?
It can, depending on how the loan is structured and reported. When you make consistent, on-time payments, it demonstrates financial responsibility. If credit rebuilding is a priority for you, ask us about how your loan payments may be reported and what steps you can take to improve your score over time.
The bottom line: qualifying for Buy Here Pay Here financing at Auto Mart isn’t about having a perfect history. It’s about where you are right now and whether we can put you in a reliable vehicle at a payment you can manage. Come see us — we’ve been helping drivers in Nashville, Antioch, Brentwood, Madison, and the surrounding areas get back on the road for over 60 years.