How does getting pre-approved affect my credit score?

At Frank Leta Automotive Outlet in St. Louis, our online pre-approval process uses a soft credit check, which means it does not affect your credit score. You can get instantly pre-approved online, see your personalized budget, and shop confidently knowing what you qualify for—without worrying about lowering your score.

This is different from traditional pre-approvals through banks or lenders, which often involve a hard credit inquiry that may temporarily reduce your credit score. Our process is designed to be fast, secure, and stress-free, so you can explore financing options without penalty.

When you’re ready to finalize your purchase, a full application may require a standard hard credit check to confirm your financing, but by then you’ll already know you’re shopping within the right budget. This makes our soft-check pre-approval a smart first step for St. Louis car shoppers, even if you’ve faced financing challenges in the past.