Yendo car-secured credit card
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A credit card secured by your car's value instead of a cash deposit; it reports to all three credit bureaus. Yendo lists a 24.88% to 35.88% purchase APR and a $40 annual fee for the Auto Card, but its site-wide disclosure says 29.88% to 35.88% and $40 to $69, so check your offer. Your car is collateral. US only, not in every state.
Ad / affiliate disclosure: every link in this box is sponsored. We may earn a commission if you use one, at no extra cost to you. The full guide starts below.
Disclosure: Some links are sponsored. We may earn a commission if you apply through them and are approved, at no extra cost to you. Facts come from myFICO, the CFPB and AnnualCreditReport.com, checked October 29, 2026. This is general information, not financial advice.
Last reviewed: by the Smart Savings Guides editorial team. How we research and update articles.
A 100-point rise is realistic only in specific situations, such as removing a genuine error from your credit report or paying down cards that are close to their limits; if your report is accurate and the problem is late payments, there is no quick way to add 100 points. The CFPB says that when the information on your report is correct, only time and good credit habits will raise your score, and anyone selling a quick fix may be scamming you. Start with the steps below, in this order.
Key takeaways
- Biggest factors: payment history (35%) and amounts owed (30%) make up about two thirds of a FICO Score.
- Fastest wins: fixing real errors on your report and lowering card balances.
- Slow by design: late payments generally stay on your report for 7 years, though recent problems count more than old ones.
- Red flag: nobody can legally remove accurate negative information, so don't pay for "credit repair" that promises it.
Thin file and a car you own?
Sponsored link: we may earn a commission if you sign up, buy or are approved through it, at no extra cost to you.
If your score is low because you have little credit history, a card that reports to all three bureaus adds on-time payments over time. Yendo uses your car as collateral instead of a cash deposit, and checking your offer is a soft inquiry.
Check if you qualify for Yendo
A new card won't raise your score overnight, and the hard inquiry when you accept can lower it slightly at first. Accepting puts a lien on your car title, so missed payments could put the car at risk. Yendo's FAQ lists a fixed purchase APR of 24.88% to 35.88% and a $40 annual fee. US only: through our link it isn't offered in AK, HI, IA, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MO, NJ, NY, OK, SD or WI.
What a FICO Score is made of
| Factor | Weight (myFICO) | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Payment history | 35% | Pay every bill on time from now on; set up autopay for at least the minimum |
| Amounts owed | 30% | Pay down card balances so you use a small share of your limits |
| Length of credit history | 15% | Keep old accounts open; this one only improves with time |
| New credit | 10% | Apply only for credit you need; FICO counts inquiries from the last 12 months |
| Credit mix | 10% | Don't open accounts just for the mix |
myFICO stresses that these weights vary from person to person, and that it isn't possible to measure the exact effect of one change without looking at your whole report. That's why no one can honestly promise a specific number of points.
Step 1: check all three reports for errors
Get your free reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion at AnnualCreditReport.com; you can check each one every week, and it doesn't affect your score. Look for accounts that aren't yours, late payments you made on time, balances that were paid off, and debts listed twice. If you find a mistake, dispute it with both the credit bureau and the company that reported it. It's free, and the bureau generally has 30 days to investigate (up to 45 in some cases). Our guide to checking your credit report for free walks through it.
Step 2: lower your card balances
Amounts owed is the second-biggest factor, and the part you can change fastest. The CFPB notes that some experts advise using no more than 30% of your total credit limit and others say less than 10%. See credit utilization explained.
Step 3: never miss another payment
Payment history carries the most weight, and recent behaviour counts more than old mistakes. Set up autopay for at least the minimum payment on every account. If you've already missed one, bring it current as soon as you can.
Step 4: if your file is thin, add positive history
If your score is low because you have little or no credit history, the fix is new on-time history, which takes months. Options include a secured card, a credit builder loan or a card that reports to all three bureaus; see what to do with a thin credit file and how long it takes to build credit.
What doesn't work
- Paying a company to remove accurate negatives: the CFPB says accurate, current negative information generally can't be removed, and promises to do so are probably a scam.
- Closing old cards: it can raise your utilization and shorten your history.
- Applying for lots of cards at once: several new accounts in a short time count against you.
Check if you qualify for Yendo
Sponsored link: we may earn a commission if you sign up, buy or are approved, at no extra cost to you. Check current prices and terms on the provider's own site first.
Free: 10 checks before you apply for a credit-builder
A printable checklist to compare secured cards, credit-builder loans and similar products before you apply, so you don't pay for something that won't help your score. Join our email list and it opens right away.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I raise my credit score 100 points in 30 days?
Only in specific cases, such as a credit bureau removing a genuine error after a dispute, or a large drop in card balances being reported. If your report is accurate, the CFPB says there's no quick way to boost your score.
What raises a credit score the fastest?
Usually fixing real errors on your credit reports and paying down credit card balances, because amounts owed, which includes how much of your available credit you use, is about 30% of a FICO Score.
How long do late payments stay on a credit report?
Generally 7 years. The CFPB says recent negative information generally has more effect on your score than older information, so keeping recent payments on time matters most.
Do credit repair companies work?
They can't do anything you can't do yourself for free. The CFPB says accurate negative information generally can't be removed, and anyone promising to remove it is probably running a scam.
Sources
Official sources this article relies on, checked October 29, 2026. Rules and prices change, so confirm details at the source.
More guides
- Thin or No Credit File? How to Start Building Credit
- Secured Credit Cards Explained: How They Work and How to Graduate
- How Credit-Builder Loans Work (and When They Make Sense)
- Credit Utilization Explained: The 30% Rule and What Really Matters
- How to Check Your Credit Report for Free on AnnualCreditReport.com
- Yendo vs a Regular Secured Credit Card: Which Fits You?
- Can You Get a Credit Card With No Credit History?
- Car Title Loan vs a Car-Secured Credit Card: Key Differences
- How Long Does It Take to Build Credit From Scratch?
- Secured Credit Card With No Deposit? Your Real Options
- Yendo Requirements: Who Gets Approved and How It Works
- Credit Builder Card vs Secured Card: What's the Difference?
- Credit Card With No Credit and No Job: What the Rules Say
- Secured vs Unsecured Credit Card: Which Builds Credit?
- Yendo Credit Card Review: A Card Secured by Your Car