453 Credit score: What You Need to Know in 2025

Who Has a 453 Credit Score?

While age isn't a direct factor in calculating your credit score, there is a clear trend of scores increasing as people get older. This is often due to factors like a longer credit history and more experience managing finances. According to 2023 data from Experian, here's how average FICO scores break down by generation:

• Generation Z (ages 18-26): 680
• Millennials (ages 27-42): 690
• Generation X (ages 43-58): 709
• Baby Boomers (ages 59-77): 745
• Silent Generation (ages 78+): 760

Credit Cards With a 453 Credit Score

A credit score of 453 falls into the "very poor" range, which can significantly hinder your ability to obtain a credit card. Most lenders view this score as a high risk, making them hesitant to approve applications for traditional, unsecured cards. While approval isn't impossible, you'll likely face limited options, often restricted to secured cards that require a cash deposit.

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Kudos offers an AI-powered smart wallet that uses a personalized quiz and preference matching to help you find the right card for your needs. Its recommendation engine sifts through a database of nearly 3,000 cards to find options suitable for a wide range of credit scores and financial situations.

Auto Loans and a 453 Credit Score

A 453 credit score places you in the deep subprime category, which can make securing an auto loan challenging. While approval is still possible, you should expect to face significantly higher interest rates and less favorable loan terms.

According to 2025 market data, here is a breakdown of average auto loan interest rates by credit score bracket:

• Super-prime (781-850): 5.25% for new cars and 7.13% for used cars.
• Prime (661-780): 6.87% for new cars and 9.36% for used cars.
• Non-prime (601-660): 9.83% for new cars and 13.92% for used cars.
• Subprime (501-600): 13.18% for new cars and 18.86% for used cars.
• Deep subprime (300-500): 15.77% for new cars and 21.55% for used cars.

Mortgages at a 453 Credit Score

With a 453 credit score, qualifying for a traditional mortgage is nearly impossible. According to mortgage requirements, most lenders require a minimum score of 620 for conventional loans and 580 for FHA loans. While some specialty subprime lenders might consider scores below 580, approval is extremely rare. Your only potential options would be through highly specialized lenders, and even then, it's not a guarantee.

If you manage to find a willing lender, a 453 credit score will have a severe impact on your loan terms. You can expect significantly higher interest rates, possibly in the double digits, and will be required to provide a large down payment of at least 10%. Your application would also face intense scrutiny through manual underwriting, likely resulting in additional fees and unfavorable conditions.

What's in a Credit Score?

Understanding your credit score can feel like trying to solve a complex puzzle, as it's a blend of several key financial habits. The most common factors that determine your score include:

• Your payment history tracks whether you have paid past credit accounts on time.
• Credit utilization is the percentage of your available credit that you are currently using.
• The length of your credit history considers the age of your oldest account and the average age of all your accounts.
• Credit mix refers to the variety of credit products you have, such as credit cards, retail accounts, and loans.
• New credit inquiries and recently opened accounts can also temporarily impact your score.

How to Improve Your 453 Credit Score

Don't be discouraged by a 453 credit score; with consistent positive behavior, it's possible to see meaningful improvements in as little as three to six months. Taking the right steps now can put you on the path to better financial health.

• Apply for a secured credit card. Since this type of card requires a security deposit, it's easier to get approved for with a low score and helps you build a positive payment history as it reports to the major bureaus.
• Become an authorized user. Being added to a responsible cardholder's account allows you to benefit from their good payment history and low credit utilization, which can add positive data to your credit file.
• Consider a credit-builder loan. These are designed specifically to help establish or rebuild credit by reporting your on-time payments, which directly impacts the most significant factor of your credit score.
• Address collection accounts. A score in this range often indicates accounts in collections, so negotiating a settlement or requesting a deletion can remove a significant negative mark from your report.

As you begin rebuilding, a financial companion like Kudos can help you manage your credit and monitor your progress.