Americans most likely to check consumer credit scores before buying cars

U.S. consumers are more likely to check their consumer credit reports prior to buying a car than before purchasing a home or taking out a loan. A recent report on consumer credit trends from freecreditreport.com showed that 32 percent of Americans check their credit score before buying a car. Prior to putting a down-payment on a home, 31 percent check their scores, while 28 percent do the same when planning to apply for a loan.

Freecreditreport.com reported that more than 75 percent of people attempt to reduce credit card payments when they discover they have low credit scores.

Experts say that there is still much room for improvement when it comes to financial responsibility among consumers but they are satisfied with the improving credit trends.

"While there are lessons to be learned in those statistics, Americans have improved their credit management, debt reduction and payment consistency," said Ken Chaplin, senior vice president of marketing for freecreditscore.com.

The dedication to improved credit has been advantageous for auto lenders in the United States in America. According to MotorIntelligence, year-to-date auto sales have increased by 6.4 percent so far in 2013 from last year.