credit report questions

[tabbycat31]

ok I have to buy a new car, and tonight I pulled all 3 of my credit reports in case I have to finance a car (I want to know exactly where I stand before I go to a car dealer)

I am listed as an authorized user on my parents CC, and because of that it shows that I have had credit since I was 12. IT also shows a huge revolving balance (my parents charge everything). Their monthly expenses are always paid off monthly with no interest. However my income is not as high as theirs, and it would look strange to show their balances with my income.

The other question I had is that I had a CC back in college (1998) that I wasnt so good on. I was young and naive. That acct still shows on my credit report. There has been no activity on it since then. How long do you think that will take before it falls off the report. FWIW the state the card was opened was OH and I now live in NY.

Also without spending money, is there any way to estimate your credit score? Another thing....... car dealers always advertise "tier 1 and tier 2" customers. What is the criteria for that?

[KellyJef]

Originally Posted by tabbycat31

Also without spending money, is there any way to estimate your credit score?

Here you go:

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/fico/calc.asp?lpid=BKRATE29