Surrendering your vehicle and repossession are very similar in financial terms. You are unable to make the loan payments, so the lender is taking the vehicle back. The lender will resell the vehicle, and the proceeds will go toward the balance you still owe on the loan.

What happens if I return my financed car?

If you return the car to the lender, the lender will likely sell it. The car loan lender can demand payment of the deficiency. If you don’t pay up, it can sue you, get a judgment, and then use various collection methods (such as wage garnishment or bank levies) to get paid. (Learn more about car loan deficiencies.)

What is it called when they take your car back?

When you return a car to the lender or dealership, it’s called voluntary repossession.

Does turning a car back in hurt your credit?

Voluntarily surrendering your vehicle will have a substantially negative impact on your credit scores because it means that you did not fulfill the original loan agreement. When you voluntarily surrender your vehicle, the lender will sell the car to recover as much of the money owed as possible.

What happens if a car loan is not approved?

Occasionally, the bank may request an additional down payment or different loan terms than what was written in the contract, but the financing still goes through. Unfortunately, if the dealer fails to find a bank to fund your loan or if you cannot secure financing on your own, you may need to return the car.

Can I get my deposit back if I change my mind on a car?

The deposit is a form of security to hold the car until you are ready to pay the rest of the money and collect the vehicle. If you change your mind, you lose the deposit. You will want that money back and they will be able to either fight you for it or use it as an opportunity to keep you from cancelling your order.

What if I change my mind after buying a car?

If you’ve changed your mind after agreeing to buy a car, you’re often out of luck. A contact to purchase a vehicle is legally binding. Although you may have heard of a three-day “cooling-off” period that allows you time to change your mind after a purchase, it doesn’t apply to cars in any state.