Does voluntary termination affect my credit score?

Asked by: Claudine Boehm  |  Last update: July 1, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (35 votes)

The good news is that voluntary termination usually won't hurt your credit score and your chances of getting loans in the future, including other car finance. However, you must have paid at least 50% and any extra fees for this to be the case.

How badly does voluntary surrender affect your credit?

Voluntary surrender counts as a derogatory or negative mark and will stay on your credit reports for up to seven years.

Does termination affect credit score?

Whether it be damage fees, termination fees, back rent, or current rent that you're still liable for, landlords can report that debt to collection agencies, who may then report that unpaid debt to the credit bureaus. If that happens, you'll likely see your credit score go down.

How many points does a voluntary repo take off your credit?

Each can appear on your report as a separate entry. Repossessions, collections, and court judgments can remain on your credit report for up to seven years, reading as a derogatory mark and dropping your credit score by 100 points.

Can you remove voluntary repossession from credit report?

If the repossession is found to be inaccurate, it must be removed from your credit report. If the repossession is accurate, but you've since paid off the debt or reached an agreement with the lender, you can try negotiating with them to have it removed from your credit report as part of the settlement.

End Your Car Agreement Early | Voluntary Termination

36 related questions found

How many points will my credit score increase when a repo is removed?

On average, however, many individuals see their score improve anywhere from 75 to 150 points once they no longer have the repossession on their report.

How long does it take to rebuild credit after voluntary repossession?

A repossession can result in a derogatory mark on credit reports for up to seven years.

How long does a voluntary repo last?

In the USA I believe it stays on your credit report for 7 years. You can still purchase another vehicle while it shows on your report but you will not qualify for tiers 0, 1 or 2 interest rates on a new loan.

What if I don't want my financed car anymore?

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.

How bad does 1 repo affect your credit?

A car repossession can significantly damage your credit score, potentially causing a drop of up to 100 points or more depending on your overall credit history. It remains on your credit report for up to seven years, impacting your ability to secure favorable financing terms in the future.

Will voluntary termination affect credit score?

It's like that a voluntary termination will appear on your credit file. However, unlike a voluntary surrender (which will appear there as a solid negative), a voluntary termination shouldn't have an adverse impact on your ability to get credit in the future.

Does termination look bad on your record?

So while your record will show you were fired, it likely won't be a blow-by-blow account of what went down. You will simply be marked as “eligible for rehire”. Your record is (mostly) confidential. Random hiring managers can't just call up your old boss and demand to see your file.

What Cannot be removed from your credit report?

There are other items that cannot be disputed or removed due to their systemic importance. For example, your correct legal name, current and former mailing addresses, and date of birth are usually not up for dispute and won't be removed from your credit reports.

Is voluntary surrender better than repossession?

Voluntary car repossession is only a slightly better option than involuntary repossession. You may be a bit more prepared and have some control over when you surrender your car if it's voluntary. Avoiding some of the extra fees that can come with involuntary repossession can be helpful, too.

How can I get rid of a car loan without ruining my credit?

  1. Renegotiate the loan terms. If you're experiencing financial difficulties, your lender may be willing to change your payment schedule. ...
  2. Refinance your auto loan. ...
  3. Sell the car. ...
  4. Agree to voluntary repossession. ...
  5. Pay off the loan.

What are the consequences of voluntary surrender?

While surrendering the vehicle voluntarily may be seen more favorably by lenders compared to repossession, it can still result in a substantial drop in your credit rating. Additionally, you may remain liable for any shortfall balance after the vehicle is sold at auction, further adding to your financial obligations.

How to get rid of a car you can't afford anymore?

Trade In or Sell Your Vehicle

If you need more than just short-term relief and refinancing isn't an option, it might be worth it to get rid of the car. You could either trade it in to a dealership or sell it to a private party and buy a used vehicle.

Does voluntary surrender 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.

What is the penalty for returning a 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.

How much will my credit drop with a voluntary repo?

How Much Does a Voluntary Repossession Affect 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.

Can I sell my financed car back to the dealership?

Note: If you're selling a car with an active loan, you're still the one responsible for paying it off, so the remaining balance on the loan will likely be subtracted from the price the dealer offers you. So if you owe more than what the dealer offers, you'll need to pay the difference to the lienholder.

Can you buy a car after voluntary repossession?

There's nothing stopping you from buying a vehicle with cash immediately after a repossession – but financing can be another story. Within one year after a repo, qualifying for an auto loan can be tough.

Can I have a 700 credit score with a repo?

There are many people who have 700 credit scores or higher with previous repo's.

What are the consequences of voluntary repossession?

The name makes it sound less severe, but a voluntary repossession is essentially the same as an involuntary one as far as your finances go. You'll still have to pay for the costs of the auction. You may still face a deficiency, a collection lawsuit, and wage garnishment.

Can you get another car with a repo?

While having one or more car repossessions can cause setbacks in your credit history, it's not the end of the road. Not only is it possible for you to get approved for vehicle financing after a repossession, you can also rebuild your credit history over time.