What if I have no credit at all?

No credit history is not the same as bad credit — it simply means you have not yet been scored. At Fort Lauderdale Auto Sales we approve based on income, not credit score. Bring proof of income (pay stubs or bank statements) and a minimum $500 down payment. No credit check is performed.

Can my parent co-sign to help me get approved?

At FLAS, a co-signer is not required because we do not run a credit check at all. Approval is based on your own income. If you can show steady income and afford the down payment, you qualify on your own terms — no co-signer needed.

How do I know if I am getting a good deal?

Look up the vehicle on Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com) or Edmunds before visiting any lot. Know the private-party and dealer retail values for that make, model, year, and mileage. At FLAS every vehicle is ASE-certified by owner Omari Grant and comes with a 90-day warranty — that coverage has real dollar value, factor it in.

What is the difference between BHPH and a bank loan for a first-time buyer?

A bank loan requires a credit check and often a credit history. Buy Here Pay Here (BHPH) financing is issued directly by the dealer — no bank, no credit check. Payments are made to FLAS, not a third party. BHPH is often the only financing option available to first-time buyers with no credit history. The trade-off: interest rates are typically higher than a bank loan, but you build credit history with each on-time payment.

How do I buy my first car in Florida?

Buying your first car in Florida starts with setting a budget, gathering ID, proof of income, proof of residence, and auto insurance. Fort Lauderdale Auto Sales approves first-time buyers with no credit history — $500 down, no credit check, ITIN accepted. Call (954) 793-1761. For Florida title transfer and registration costs, see our Florida buyer legal guide.

Can I buy a car in Florida with no credit history?

Yes. Fort Lauderdale Auto Sales is a Buy Here Pay Here dealer in Oakland Park, FL. We approve based on income, not credit score. First-time buyers and buyers with no credit history qualify with $500 down and proof of steady income.

First-Time Buyer Guide

Your First Car in Florida
Without the Anxiety
or the Mistakes

The buyer's journey — from budget fear to driving home. No credit needed. ITIN accepted. Inspected by a Mechanic. Sold by the Owner. Backed by a Warranty.

Get Pre-Approved Call (954) 793-1761

Family-Owned & Operated

13 Years of Honest Business. Every Car. Every Customer.

Fort Lauderdale Auto Sales isn't a franchise and it isn't a flip lot. It's a family business built on one principle: treat people the way you'd want to be treated when buying a car.

"We Drive Every Car Before You Do"

Before a vehicle ever hits our lot, we personally drive and test it ourselves. If we wouldn't put our own family in it, we won't sell it to yours.

"Mechanic-Owned. That Changes Everything."

Omari Grant isn't just the owner — he's an ASE-certified mechanic who ran Front Line Auto for 8 years before selling his first car. Every vehicle is inspected by the same team that repairs cars for a living.

"Customers for Life, Not Just a Sale"

Our customers don't just buy once — they come back for their second, third car, and send their family. That's the trust you can't fake.

Omari Grant, Owner of Fort Lauderdale Auto Sales

13+

Years in Business

4.9★

Google Rating

75+

Customer Reviews

$1,000

Minimum Down

✓

Every Car Inspected

Multi-point inspection by ASE-certified mechanics

✓

No Credit Check

Approval based on income, not credit score

✓

90-Day Warranty

Only Broward BHPH lot with our own mechanic shop

✓

Service After the Sale

Front Line Auto maintains every car we sell

Anxiety vs Reality

The Fears Every First-Timer Has — Debunked

“I have no credit — I will be rejected everywhere.”

Reality: Buy Here Pay Here dealers like FLAS approve based on income, not credit score. No credit history is not a disqualifier. Bring proof of income and $500 down.

“I do not know enough to negotiate.”

Reality: You do not need to negotiate at all at FLAS. Prices are set and transparent. What you do need is to know the KBB value of the car before you walk in — that knowledge protects you anywhere.

“The car will break down the week after I buy it.”

Reality: Every FLAS vehicle is ASE-certified by owner Omari Grant at Front Line Auto before it is offered for sale. The 90-day warranty is backed by an on-site shop — not a slow third-party claims process.

“I do not have a Social Security number.”

Reality: FLAS accepts ITIN. The team is bilingual. No SSN is required to buy or finance a vehicle here.

The Journey

Step-by-Step: Your First Car Purchase

Confront the Anxiety Head-On

First-time buyers almost always feel overwhelmed. That is normal. The most common fear: 'I do not know enough to avoid getting ripped off.' The antidote is preparation. Research your target vehicle on KBB or Edmunds before you walk onto any lot, and come with written numbers. Salespeople respect buyers who know their budget.

Set a Realistic Budget

Calculate your take-home pay minus all monthly expenses. The payment you can comfortably afford is what is left over — not what a salesperson says you can afford. At FLAS, payments start at $500 down with weekly or monthly options. Know your number before you shop.

Get Your Documents Ready

Valid photo ID, proof of income (2 recent pay stubs or 3 months of bank statements), proof of residence (utility bill or lease agreement), and auto insurance. ITIN is accepted at FLAS — SSN is not required. Bring everything in one folder so nothing slows you down on purchase day.

Get Auto Insurance Before You Go

Florida requires minimum $10,000 Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and $10,000 Property Damage Liability (PDL) before you can register a vehicle. Call an insurer before visiting the dealership. Many companies issue policies over the phone in under 20 minutes. You will not be able to drive home without it.

Inspect Before You Sign

At FLAS every vehicle is certified at Front Line Auto by owner Omari Grant before it is offered for sale. Ask to see the inspection findings. A dealership that cannot show you what was checked before sale is a red flag. Test-drive the car and pay attention to brakes, steering pull, and any warning lights.

Read the Contract Line by Line

You are entitled to understand every line before you sign. Key numbers to verify: total loan amount, APR, total cost of financing, payment amount, due date, and late fee policy. If anything is unclear, ask. Never sign a blank or incomplete contract. At FLAS the team walks you through every term.

Make Payments on Time — Every Time

Your first car loan is the foundation of your credit history. One on-time payment each cycle reports positively to credit bureaus and starts building your score. Missing a payment at a BHPH dealer is serious — understand the late fee and GPS/kill-switch policies before signing. Set a payment reminder on day one.

First-Timer Checklist

What to Bring — First-Time Buyer Edition

This checklist is specifically for buyers who have never purchased a vehicle before. Gather everything before you leave home — missing one item can delay same-day delivery.

Government-issued photo ID — Florida driver's license, state ID, or passport. Out-of-state licenses are accepted.
Proof of income — 2 most recent pay stubs, OR 3 months of bank statements. Self-employed? 3 months of bank statements showing consistent deposits.
Proof of residence — Utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement with your current address.
Active auto insurance card — Florida minimum: $10,000 PIP + $10,000 PDL. Get this before you arrive — the purchase cannot be completed without it.
Down payment — Minimum $500 at FLAS. Cash, debit card, or trade-in equity.
ITIN (if no SSN) — Fort Lauderdale Auto Sales accepts Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers.

Note: title transfer, registration, and Florida sales tax are separate from the vehicle purchase price. For the full cost breakdown, see Buying a Used Car in Florida — Legal & Cost Guide.

Building Credit

Your First Car Loan Builds Your Credit History

For buyers with no credit history, a BHPH auto loan is often the most accessible first credit account. Every on-time payment is reported to credit bureaus and contributes to your credit profile. After 12 months of consistent payments, most first-time buyers see a measurable score for the first time.

Practical steps to maximize the credit benefit of your first car loan:

Set up a payment reminder — even one day late can count as a late payment on your record.
Never miss a payment in the first 6 months. Early payment history carries the most weight in score-building.
Once you have 12 months of clean payment history, consider applying for a secured credit card to diversify your credit mix.
After 24 months of clean history, you may qualify for a conventional auto loan at a bank with a lower rate.

A BHPH loan at FLAS is the starting line, not the finish line. Use it as the foundation for a credit file that opens better options later.

Avoid These

What NOT to Do at a Dealership

Falling for the monthly payment pitch

Dealers sometimes stretch loan terms to make a high-priced car look affordable. Always evaluate the total loan cost, not just the monthly payment. A 48-month loan costs more total than a 24-month loan even if the monthly number looks smaller.

Skipping the test drive

Never buy a car you have not driven. Brakes, steering, transmission shifts, and AC performance tell you more than any sticker. A 10-minute test drive on city streets and a highway ramp reveals most mechanical issues.

Not reading the warranty terms

Ask exactly what the 90-day warranty covers and what it excludes. At FLAS the warranty is backed by Front Line Auto on-site — repairs happen in-house, not at a third-party slow-claim shop. Understand the claim process before you need it.

Ignoring total fees beyond the price

The sticker price is not what you pay. Budget separately for Florida sales tax, title transfer, registration, and dealer doc fee. For the full legal cost breakdown see the Florida buyer legal guide at /guides/buying-used-car-florida.

Common Questions