Financing · Max CDJR · Butler, MO
Soft Pull or Hard Pull? Car Loans in Butler, MO
Know which credit check you need before anyone runs one. Start soft, apply when you are ready.
Check My Buying PowerSoft pull, no score impact
Get Pre-ApprovedHard pull, lender decision
A prequalification estimates your payment range from a soft credit pull, with no score impact and no Social Security number. A pre-approval is a lender's decision on your full credit application, which requires a hard credit pull. Shoppers around Butler, Missouri can do either online with Max Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Butler.
Start soft or apply now?
Prequalify
Soft pull
- You get
- An estimate of your payment range and terms (your buying power).
- We need
- A few answers about you. No Social Security number.
- Credit impact
- No impact on your credit score. Lenders cannot see it.
Get pre-approved
Hard pull
- You get
- A lender decision before your deal is finalized.
- We need
- A full credit application, including your Social Security number, income and employment.
- Credit impact
- Lenders see the inquiry. It can lower your score a few points, temporarily.
What is different between the two checks?
| Question | Prequalification (soft) | Pre-approval (hard) |
|---|---|---|
| Credit score impact | None | Can lower your score a few points, temporarily |
| Who sees it | Only you; invisible to lenders | Lenders who review your report |
| Info needed | A few answers; no Social Security number | Full application with SSN, income and employment |
| What you get back | An estimated payment range and terms | A lender decision before the deal is finalized |
| How long | About a minute | Lender responses often come back in seconds |
| Best when | You are shopping and want a budget | You have picked a vehicle and are ready to buy |
| Is it an offer of credit? | No | It is a lender decision; final approval depends on the vehicle, structure and down payment |
What is the difference between a soft pull and a hard pull?
Two kinds of credit checks, two very different outcomes for your score. Some lenders treat “prequalified” and “pre-approved” as the same thing. At Max Motors they are not. Soft pull means prequalification. Hard pull means pre-approval.
Prequalification
Prequalification is an estimate of the payment range and terms you may qualify for, based on a soft credit inquiry and the answers you provide.
Pre-approval
A pre-approval is a lender decision on a full credit application, made before your deal is finalized, and it uses a hard credit inquiry.
Soft credit inquiry
A soft credit inquiry is a credit check only you can see, and it does not affect your credit score.
Hard credit inquiry
A hard credit inquiry happens when a lender reviews your credit to decide on an application; lenders can see it, and it can lower your score slightly for a short time.
Comparing auto lenders generally will not stack up damage. Most scoring models treat auto hard inquiries within 14 days as one (some allow 45). Each inquiry remains on your report for two years; the score effect is typically small and short-lived, a few months.
Source for credit-scoring facts: Experian, “Prequalified vs. Preapproved” (September 25, 2026).
Which one is right for you?
- Just browsing
You are comparing vehicles and want a payment range first.
Start with: Check my buying power - Ready this week
You picked the vehicle and want a lender decision.
Start with: Get pre-approved - Rebuilding credit
You would like to check your buying power before any lender sees an application.
Start with: Check my buying power - Trading in
You have a trade, and its value sets how much you need to finance.
Start with: Value my trade
Experts at both
What makes Max CDJR the place to start?
Knowing which check moves your score is our job, not yours. We run soft and hard pulls every day and tell you which one you need first.
- You can start either check from this page in about a minute.
- On the finance application, lenders often respond in seconds.
- People, not just software: our finance team reviews each application and calls you with terms.
- One standard at all five Max Motors stores: The Easiest Place To Buy A Car.
Only at Max Motors: the $500 Deal Match Guarantee, Max Transit home delivery, and the KBB Instant Cash Offer headquarters for our five-county area.
Questions about soft and hard pulls
Is prequalification the same as pre-approval?
Prequalification estimates your buying power from a soft credit inquiry and has no impact on your credit score. Pre-approval is a full credit application reviewed by lenders; it uses a hard inquiry and returns a lender decision before your deal is finalized.
Does prequalifying hurt my credit score?
No. A soft inquiry is visible only to you and has no impact on your credit score.
What does a hard pull do to my credit?
A hard pull is recorded on your credit report for two years and lenders can see it. For an auto loan, most scoring models show only a small, temporary effect lasting a few months.
How quickly do lenders respond?
Fast. The soft-pull estimate is immediate, and lenders often respond to the finance application in seconds. Timing varies by lender, and a finance team member follows up either way.
Is a prequalification an offer of credit?
No. A pre-approval is a lender decision based on your application. Final approval, APR and terms depend on creditworthiness, the vehicle you choose and your down payment. A prequalification is not an offer of credit.
How long does a pre-approval last?
Each lender sets its own window. Ask your finance manager for the exact expiration on your pre-approval.
Does rate shopping count as many inquiries?
Generally no. Auto loan hard inquiries within 14 days usually count as one, and some scoring models extend that to 45 days.
Do I start with the soft pull or the application?
Prequalify while you shop, then apply when you are ready to buy. The soft pull sets your budget; the application gets the lender's answer.
What if my credit is not great?
Yes. Prequalification uses a soft pull, so you can see where you stand without affecting your score. Our finance team reviews every application and calls back with actual terms.
Do I need my Social Security number?
For prequalification, no Social Security number is needed. For pre-approval, the finance application asks for your SSN, income and employment.
Finance in person at Max CDJR Butler
Max Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Butler1108 W Fort Scott St
Butler, MO 64730
Call or text (660) 242-4486
Serving Butler and Adrian, Appleton City and Rich Hill across Bates County.