The last thing people who have fallen behind on their mortgages may be thinking about is buying a new or used car, but it turns out that they are growing more likely to be approved by auto lenders. Through the first three quarters of 2011, there were around 205,000 auto loans issued to people who were at least 60 days behind on their mortgage payments, The Wall Street Journal reports.

The figures represent a change in attitude among lenders who are becoming more accepting of applicants with marks on their credit than in past years. The shift may be indicative of the fact that they are trying to find good ways to work with people who have been hurt by the economic downturn.

Experian's vice president Michele Raneri told the newspaper that lenders need to ask "'How do we work with the new economy and consumers being late on their mortgages?' They know they need to grow…and they know they have to be flexible."

The willingness to approve loans to people who are behind on the mortgage or who otherwise have bad credit may be responsible for the growth in auto sales during 2011 as well. According to the WSJ, sales rose by more than 10 percent compared to 2010.

Regardless of whether or not you have fallen behind on your mortgage or have a checkered credit history, New Jersey State Auto Auction offers guaranteed credit approval. The service is thanks to a partnership with the Credit Acceptance Corporation, which can provide applicants with approval in as little as 30 seconds, so you can be in your used car and on your way back to rebuilding your credit.