Is it illegal to sell a car with a title loan?
Asked by: Mr. Blair White I | Last update: May 27, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (17 votes)
Can you get in trouble for selling a car with a title loan?
Yes, it is possible to sell your car even if you still have a loan on it. However, you will need to take into account the outstanding balance on the loan when you are selling the car.
What happens if you sell a car with a loan on it?
You still need to pay it! If the bank still has a lien on it and you sell it, you're committing fraud. Until that lien is paid off, the bank owns that car, not you! A decent legal Notary will not even allow you to do the necessary DMV paperwork to sell it if there's a lien on it.
Is it legal to sell a vehicle with a lien on it?
You can still sell your vehicle if it has a lien on it. But depending on how you intend to sell it, doing so could be straightforward or require you to do some paperwork. Here are the steps you need to take when selling a car with a lien.
Can you trade your car in if you have a title loan on it?
No. With a pending title loan it is not currently your vehicle to trade. Until you have the title loan expunged the vehicle cannot to sold, traded, or gifted.
Can You Sell a Car that Has a Title Loan on it?
Can you sell a car that was used as collateral for a loan?
Remember: You can't sell the assets you pledged as collateral without your lender making adjustments to your loan agreement. Think about car loans as an example. You wouldn't be able to sell the car you're financing without notifying the lender for your auto loan.
What happens if you scrap a car with a title loan on it?
However, if the title loan company does have a security interest in your car, then they will likely be able to reclaim it and/or pursue you for the car if it's junked. And while many title loan companies will look to reclaim the car, others might not be as aggressive in doing so.
Can I sue a dealership for selling me a car with a lien?
If the dealership is uncooperative or unable to resolve the lien, you might need to consider legal action. This could involve filing a complaint with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or seeking legal remedies through the courts.
Does selling a car with a lien hurt your credit?
Because it is a public record, the three credit agencies used to note the lien on your credit report and it would invariably have a negative impact on your credit.
How do you get around a lien on a title?
How do you get a lien removed from a car title? Once your car loan is completely paid off, obtain a car title lien release from your lender so your state BMV or DMV can put the car title in your name.
How do I sell my car if it's 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.
How do I get out of a car loan?
- 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)
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.
Can you get in trouble for selling a financed car?
If you are still making car payments, that debt remains. You will still owe the remaining debt to the lender, and if you don't pay on time, even with the car gone, your credit will take a negative hit, and the lender may eventually get a judgment against you.
Can someone be on title but not on loan?
It is possible for a homebuyer to be named on the title and not the mortgage.
Can I sell my car if the bank has the title?
Contact your lender
As such, you must get a payoff amount and permission from the lender — the lienholder on your vehicle — to sell. This information will help you determine how much you need to sell the car for to fully repay the debt.
Is it a crime to sell a car with a lien?
This is a civil matter. There is no debtor's prison in the US. Any sale of the car remains subject to the liens and the remedy for the buyer is to sue you. You will not be arrested for a civil claim.
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.
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 someone put a lien on my car without me knowing?
No. He would not have a basis for filing a lien against your vehicle unless he obtains a judgment against you through a lawsuit typically. If he attempts to attach your vehicle, you could sue him for wrongful attachment if he has not obtained a court judgment for the amount allegedly owed.
Can you sell a junk car with a lien?
Until the debt is fully repaid, the lienholder has a direct financial interest in the property. That is, you gain full ownership over the vehicle only after the lien has been released. Until then, you must receive the lender's permission to sell.
Will a dealership pay off a lien?
If you need another vehicle, the easiest way to do this is to head to a dealership. You'll be able to sell the car to the dealer, they'll pay off the lien, and you can apply any equity toward a new vehicle.
What happens if I sell a car with a title loan?
Option 1: Selling a Car With a Title Loan to a Private Party
This means the buyer must pay you for the car in a private buyer transaction. Then, you can pay off the title loan using the funds from the purchase. To do this, file paperwork with the DMV and the lender to prove you paid off the loan.
How to get rid of a car that has a lien on it?
The easiest way to sell a vehicle with a lien is to conduct the sale at an auto dealership, particularly if the car is going to be a trade-in. Dealers work directly with the lien holder listed on the title, which is usually a credit union or a bank, to facilitate the transfer of ownership.
How do I get rid of a car title loan?
There are ways to get out of a car title loan, including paying off the loan in full, negotiating with the lender or refinancing with a lower-cost loan.