When it comes to car sales, timing is everything — and so is information. 

That’s why taking a credit-first approach can make a world of difference. It allows you to understand a buyer’s credit situation early in the process, enabling you to personalize your communication, tailor financing options, and move more deals across the finish line, faster.

Now let’s dig into the four distinct types of credit leads you can receive through AutoVerify — and how they help you capture valuable insights no matter where the customer is in their journey.

‍

Number one: Finance application 

What’s included in a finance application lead from AutoVerify?

This is the most comprehensive lead — it’s a full finance application submitted by the shopper, including all required details for lender approval.

When would I receive a finance application lead? 

This lead comes in when a shopper opts to go beyond pre-qualification and completes a full finance application, typically when they’re ready to buy.

Real-world scenario

A customer is confident they’ve found the right vehicle and wants to get financing locked in before visiting the dealership. They fill out the full application on your website, and the complete package is sent securely to a designated team member to protect the sensitive data included in the submission.

Value to your dealership

This is as hot as a lead gets — a clear signal the shopper is ready to move forward. With all the data you need to start working with lenders, this lead helps shorten the time to deal and gives your F&I team a head start.

‍

Number two: Full credit lead (Soft pull)

What’s included in a full credit lead from AutoVerify?

This lead comes from an ID-authenticated customer whose credit details have been retrieved via a soft pull from Equifax or TransUnion.

Dealers using AV Pre-qualify will also receive self-declared income, debt, and housing expenses, plus a pre-qualification offer that includes the shopper’s max loan amount, preferred term, and estimated monthly payment.

Dealers using AV Inventory Matching will receive all of the above, along with an equity assessment on the shopper’s trade-in and/or down payment (if provided), and a list of vehicles that match your financing criteria.

When would I receive a full credit lead? 

You’ll get this lead when a customer completes the lead flow via AV Inventory Matching, AV Credit+, or AV Pre-qualify, and passes ID authentication.

Real-world scenario

A shopper sees a vehicle they love on your site, completes a credit lead via AV Pre-qualify or AV Credit+ from start to finish, and passes all authentication checks. The lead you receive includes the client’s verified credit score and key details to help with next steps.

Value to your dealership

This is your sweet spot. Full credit leads are ready for action — they help your team prioritize high-intent buyers, match them with the right inventory and financing, and ultimately accelerate the deal.

Plus, for AV Credit+ (powered by data from Equifax Canada) and AV Pre-qualify leads, you can now send a follow-up finance application link to keep the momentum going and move the deal forward even before the customer steps into the showroom.

‍

Number three: Partial credit lead (Credit range provided)

What’s included in a partial credit lead with credit range provided?

This version provides the shopper’s contact info and a general credit range based on regional data (postal code), offering a bit more insight than the first type.

When would I receive a partial credit lead with credit range?

You’ll see this lead when a customer gets far enough through the process to enter their address, but then fails ID authentication or drops off the tool for another reason (e.g., phone died, internet issue, etc.).

Real-world scenario

A customer is serious about financing and completes most of the form, but the system can’t authenticate their identity due to a mismatch or technical error. Instead of a soft pull, you receive a credit range generated from regional data (their postal code) as a fallback.

Value to your dealership

This lead gives you directional credit insight, helping your sales or finance team prepare relevant next steps. It’s a valuable opportunity to re-engage the customer and request any missing info needed for a full credit pre-qualification or finance application.

‍

Number four: Partial credit lead (Contact info only)

What’s included in a partial credit lead with contact info only?

This lead includes the shopper’s name, email, and phone number — but no credit data. It’s the earliest version of a credit lead and occurs when a customer fills out just the initial form page.

When would I receive a partial credit lead?

You’ll get this lead when someone abandons the tool on the very first page, before providing address information or completing ID authentication.

Real-world scenario

A shopper is browsing your website during their lunch break and starts filling out the AV Pre-qualify or AV Credit+ form. They enter their contact info but get distracted or run out of time and never complete the next steps. Their info is still captured and sent to your CRM as a lead.

Value to your dealership

While this lead doesn’t contain credit details, it signals early purchase intent. It gives your team a chance to follow up and guide the shopper back into the process — potentially turning a cold lead into a warm one.

‍

‍

The bottom line

Each of these four lead types plays a unique role in the buyer journey. Whether a shopper drops off early or submits a full finance application, AutoVerify ensures you capture their intent at every stage — giving your team the tools to act fast and close smarter.

By understanding the differences between these leads, your dealership can:

• Prioritize follow-ups with the right context
• Streamline the financing conversation
• Improve customer experience through personalized engagement

Ready to get more out of your credit leads? Embrace the credit-first approach and use every interaction as a stepping stone toward the sale.

‍

‍