Can you sell your car back to the finance company?
Asked by: Dr. Adrianna Veum | Last update: January 13, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (31 votes)
Can I sell back my financed car?
Yes, you can sell a car back to a dealer even if you owe a balance on it.... The dealer will appraise your vehicle to determine the amount they will offer for your car, then you will need to compare that offer to the amount owed.
What happens if I don't want my financed car anymore?
Good afternoon. Your only real option is to sell the car and pay any deficiency in order to minimize the shortfall. Otherwise, the lender will repossess the car, sell it at wholesale, and stick you with the shortfall.
Can I take my car back to the dealership if I can't afford it?
In most cases, you can ask your lender to take the car back, however if you still owe more on the car than what the pay off value is, you will have to pay the difference.
Is it possible to sell your car back to the dealership?
You can typically sell your car to a dealer even if you have no intention of buying a vehicle from them. Dealerships acquire used cars from many sources aside from trade-ins, including auctions, car rental agencies, and private parties.
Voluntary Car Surrender | Time to hand it back?
Will a dealership buy my car if I still owe money?
A common question we encounter is "will a dealership buy my car if I still owe?" It is definitely possible to trade in even if you are still paying your auto loan for that vehicle. However, trading in a car you still owe on might be slightly more challenging and may end up being costly if you are not careful.
Does selling a financed car hurt your credit?
The Impact on Your Credit
A concern for many is whether selling a financed car will hurt their credit. Generally, selling a car—be it privately or through a dealership—should not negatively impact your credit score.
How do I get out of a financed car?
- Renegotiate your loan terms. ...
- Refinance your car loan. ...
- Pay off your auto loan early. ...
- Sell your car. ...
- Consider voluntary repossession. ...
- Default on your car loan (not recommended) ...
- Consider filing for bankruptcy (not recommended)
What will happen if I give back my financed car?
Voluntary return is just calling the finance department and telling them you're not going to pay. It just lets them know it's gonna be an easy repo...which brings us to... It's still repossession. They will sell the car at auction for pennies on the dollar and you will owe any remaining balance.
Will returning a car hurt my credit?
Does voluntary repossession 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.
How do I get rid of a car I can't afford?
- Contact Your Lender.
- Request a Deferral.
- Refinance Your Car Loan.
- Trade In or Sell Your Vehicle.
- Ask Friends or Family for a Loan.
- Get a Side Hustle.
- Voluntarily Surrender the Car.
How much does a voluntary repo hurt your credit?
Estimates vary, but you can expect a voluntary repossession to lower your credit score by 50-150 points. How big of a drop you will see depends on factors such as your prior credit history and how many payments you made before the repossession.
How to get out of a car loan when you are upside down?
With an upside-down car loan, you owe more on your vehicle than its current market value. To get out of an upside-down car loan, consider making extra payments, refinancing or selling the vehicle.
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.
Can I transfer my financed car to someone else?
To complete the car loan transfer, the potential new owner will need to file a new loan application with the current lender. They'll need to go through the loan approval process (including a credit check) before they can be approved to assume your car loan. Transfer ownership.
How to give a car back to a finance company?
Voluntary Repossession
This involves surrendering the car to the lender. They then sell the car and use the proceeds to pay off the remaining loan balance. We can negotiate with the lender on your behalf to minimize damage to your credit score during this process.
Can I sell my car back to the dealership I bought it from?
The car is collateral for the loan, and until the loan is fully repaid, the lender holds a lien on the vehicle. So, can you sell your car back to the dealership if it's still under finance? Yes, you can.
What happens if I can't afford my car anymore?
The Bottom Line. Your car will eventually be repossessed if you don't pay your car loan. Before that point, you'll be charged late fees for your missed payments, your credit score will take a significant hit, and you may be charged fees for repossession.
Can I sell my financed car?
Can you sell a car with a loan? You can sell a car with a loan but you'll need to give the full payoff amount to your lender before they'll release the car title. You can do this with your funds after you complete the sale, or you can refinance your car loan or apply for a personal loan.
Can a dealership repo my car for not paying down payment?
Even if you are a few days late on your car payments, the dealership has the right to repossess your car. Under California law, the dealership can also start the car repossession process if the sales contract is breached. For these reasons, it's imperative that you understand your agreement with the finance company.
Can you give away a financed car?
The short answer is yes. You can still donate a car with a loan on it, but it's not as straightforward as handing over the keys. Here are three ways to help you make it happen: Coordinate with your lender.
How to sell a car that is not paid off?
You can transfer the car to the buyer at the DMV with a temporary operating permit until the loan is paid off and the title can be mailed to the owner. Unfortunately, that can be a lengthy process that takes weeks, or you might have to pay an extra fee to expedite the title transfer.
Does giving your car back to the dealership hurt your credit?
Losing your car can hurt your credit quite a bit unfortunately. Having your car repossessed or surrendering it voluntarily is seen as a major negative event by lenders. They'll view you as high-risk. Expect your credit score to take a big hit, maybe over 100 points or more.
Is it smart to trade in a car that isn't paid off?
Trading in a car generally helps you reduce how much you'll need to borrow when buying another vehicle, but if you have a balance on your current auto loan, you may be encouraged to roll your existing balance into a new loan, which will increase your total loan costs and the interest you'll pay over the life of your ...
How do I get rid of my car but I still owe on it?
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. Another term for an upside-down car loan is negative equity.