Can you freeze your car payments?

Asked by: Prof. Darron DuBuque I  |  Last update: September 6, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (62 votes)

If you find yourself facing financial challenges, you may be wondering, “Can you defer a car payment?” Yes, many lenders allow their borrowers to defer a car payment to the end of their loan when necessary. There numerous reasons to defer a car payment. Anyone can find themself in a financial emergency.

Can I pause my car payments?

If you're eligible and communicate your situation to your lender in time, they may offer loan deferment as a solution to keep you from defaulting on your loan. Whether or not you can get one may depend on your lender, your loan agreement and the current status of your loan. Not all auto lenders grant loan deferments.

What happens if I can't afford my car payment?

Contact Your Lender

Contact your lender as soon as you know you won't be able to make payments. Many lenders are willing to work with borrowers to avoid vehicle repossession and get their payments under control. The sooner you get in touch, the more options your lender may be able to offer.

What's a good excuse to defer a car payment?

A car loan deferment is when a lender allows you to postpone one or more payments to a later date. Some borrowers said they chose to defer car payments when they faced unexpected expenses, like an illness, hurricane or death in the family. Others simply couldn't afford their loans.

How can I get rid of a car that I can't afford?

Sell the Car

One way to get out of a car loan is to sell the vehicle privately. If you're not upside down on the loan, meaning the car is more valuable than what you currently owe on it, you can use the proceeds of the sale to pay off the current loan in full.

How Do I Get Out Of My $48,000 Car Loan?

15 related questions found

Does surrendering a car hurt your credit?

Voluntary surrender counts as a derogatory or negative mark and will stay on your credit reports for up to seven years. This stain on your credit reports might prevent you from being approved for new credit and your terms, like interest rates, will likely be higher.

Can I sell my car back if I can't afford it?

If you can't afford your car payments, you can give the car back to your car loan lender in a "voluntary repossession." But think carefully before you do this—you might still owe the lender money.

How many months can you go without paying your car payment?

While repossession can occur after a single missed payment, most lenders wait until you're 30 to 90 days behind on payments. That means you can face repossession after you've missed one, two or three payments.

Will deferring a car payment hurt my credit?

Deferments do not hurt your credit score. Unlike simply missing a payment or paying it late, a deferred payment counts as “paid according to agreement,” since you arranged it with your lender ahead of time. That's especially important if you're already in the kind of emergency that would call for a deferment.

How do you return a car you can't afford?

If you simply can't afford your car payments any longer, you could ask the dealer to agree to voluntary repossession. In this scenario, you tell the lender you can no longer make payments ask them to take the car back. You hand over the keys and you may also have to hand over money to make up the value of the loan.

Can I sell my car back to the dealership?

Can you sell a car to a dealership? Yes, and selling a car to a dealer is a simple way to get rid of a vehicle you no longer want. It can be a good solution if you need quick cash to buy a new vehicle or an easy way to unload a used car without replacing it.

Do churches help with car payments?

Yes, many churches and faith-based organizations offer assistance to individuals struggling with car payments. What Churches Help With Car Payments? Organizations such as Lutheran Services, St. Vincent De Paul, and Catholic Charities are known for providing this type of support.

How to get auto loan forgiveness?

Generally, you can apply for hardship relief on the lender's website. You'll need to provide certain information and documentation verifying your situation during the application process. This may include: Loan details like the remaining balance, interest rate or APR and payment history.

What do I do if I cant afford my car payments anymore?

What to do if you can't make your car payments
  1. Request a loan deferment. ...
  2. Refinance your auto loan. ...
  3. Trade in your car. ...
  4. Find someone to take over your car payments. ...
  5. Sell your vehicle. ...
  6. Give your car back. ...
  7. Allow your car to be repossessed. ...
  8. File for bankruptcy.

How do I ask for a deferred payment?

How to request personal loan deferment
  1. Contact your lender: The first step is reaching out to your lender and explaining your situation. ...
  2. Submit proof of your circumstances: Typically, lenders will require some form of proof regarding your change in circumstances.

How many car payments can you defer?

Each lender has a different deferment policy, so the number of times you can ask to defer a car payment will vary. Some lenders allow only one deferment, while others allow two or sometimes more.

Can you freeze car payments?

If you find yourself facing financial challenges, you may be wondering, “Can you defer a car payment?” Yes, many lenders allow their borrowers to defer a car payment to the end of their loan when necessary. There numerous reasons to defer a car payment. Anyone can find themself in a financial emergency.

How to ask for deferred car payment?

Reach out to your lender and ask questions until you understand their requirements. In general, a payment extension allows you to defer a certain number of monthly payments—usually one or two—until a later date, providing a brief break for borrowers suffering unexpected financial hardships or a natural disaster.

Can I skip a month on my car payment?

Most lenders will restrict how often you can skip a loan payment to prevent it from negatively affecting your loan. Typically, you can skip a payment once every six to twelve months. However, assume you have a 6-year (72-month) auto loan, and you skip a payment every six months.

Can my car be repossessed if I make partial payments?

You may be wondering, "Can my car be repossessed if I make partial payments?" The answer is yes. Your lender can repossess your car when you make partial payments, regardless of the past payment history. Generally, it is assumed that partial payments equate to a breach of the contract between the lender and the debtor.

How to get rid of a car loan legally?

You can renegotiate, refinance or sell your vehicle to get out of a car loan you can't afford. Refinancing can be a good option if your credit score has improved since you initially took out the loan. When trying to exit a lease early, be aware of potential fees and consider transferring the lease to someone else.

Can I trade in a financed car?

Yes, you can trade in a financed car, but you still have to pay off the remaining loan balance. However, this is not as intimidating as it sounds.

Will CarMax buy my car if I still owe money on it?

CarMax buys vehicles that are not paid off. To sell a car you still owe money on to the retailer, you must provide loan information so CarMax can pay off the lender. If you owe more than your offer, you will need to cover the difference.

How to get rid of a car that you owe money on?

To get out of an upside-down car loan, consider making extra payments, refinancing or selling the vehicle.

Can I sell my unpaid car back to the dealership?

So, can you sell your car back to the dealership if it's still under finance? Yes, you can. However, there are specific steps you need to follow to ensure the process is legal and smooth.