Paying more on your current loan will not raise your score. But when you pay your CC's can make a big difference. When your CC statements cut with a balance that balance is reported to the CRA's. Even if you PIF the balance is still reported. For the highest score you want your cards to report a $0 balance with the exception of one card and you want it to report a small balance of less than 9% of that cards CL. That pull did ding you score. How much really depends on how thick your file is. Good new is that all auto pulls with X amount of time only count as one against your score. Getting that point should be simple by changing how your cards report and also those new accounts again another month but you'd have to wait for your reports to update and hope that your INQ ding is outweighed by the other factors. My suggestion is try another lender or two. If you have other CU's available try them. Also try the dealership. They have access to lenders and products you do not.