Can I roll my current car loan into a new one?

Asked by: Robbie Conn II  |  Last update: February 26, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (53 votes)

How does rolling over your car loan work? Rolling over your car loan is the process of adding the negative equity, or remaining car loan balance, of one vehicle loan into your next. If you are trading in your car but still have a current balance, dealers may offer to roll your previous balance into your new vehicle.

Can you transfer an existing car loan to another car?

No. A car loan is tied by contract to a specific vehicle, by VIN number and description. It's not possible to simply transfer the loan to another vehicle. The old loan must be paid off and a new loan started.

Can I trade in a car I'm currently financing?

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.

Does transferring a car loan hurt your credit?

Because good payment history is the most important part of building good credit, damaging your payment history in this way will hurt your credit a lot. A car loan transfer also means you won't have monthly payments to make in the future, thus making it harder to rebuild your credit with consistent payments.

Can you combine an old car loan with a new one?

No. A car loan is tied by contract to a specific vehicle, by VIN number and description. It's not possible to simply transfer the loan to another vehicle. The old loan must be paid off and a new loan started.

You're Not a MORON if you roll in Negative Equity THIS WAY

25 related questions found

How does rolling over a car loan work?

What Does "Rolling Over" a Car Loan Mean? When your loan gets "rolled over," the dealership will pay off the old loan no matter how much you owe. However, this does not mean that you're no longer responsible for that amount.

Does debt consolidation hurt your credit?

If you do it right, debt consolidation might slightly decrease your score temporarily. The drop will come from a hard inquiry that appears on your credit reports every time you apply for credit. But, according to Experian, the decrease is normally less than 5 points and your score should rebound within a few months.

Can I transfer ownership of a financed car?

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.

Is it bad to refinance your auto loan?

Refinancing and extending your loan term can lower your payments and keep more money in your pocket each month — but you may pay more in interest in the long run. On the other hand, refinancing to a lower interest rate at the same or shorter term as you have now will help you pay less overall.

How bad is surrendering a car?

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

How can I get rid of a car that I still owe money on?

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.

Can I sell my car back to the dealership if I still owe?

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.

Is it smart to trade in a car that isn't paid off?

Often, it's best to pay down or pay off your auto loan before selling it or trading it in. The main concern is whether you have positive or negative equity on your loan. With negative equity, you should pay off your auto loan before you trade in your car.

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

Yes, it is possible to get out of a car loan, but there are only two ways to do it: satisfying the terms of the loan or defaulting on the loan (which can end up with your car being repossessed). Unfortunately, it's not possible to just give back a car and end the financing agreement as though it never happened.

What is rolling a loan?

A rollover is the renewal of a loan. Instead of liquidating a loan on maturity, you can roll it over into a new loan. The outstanding principal of the old loan is rolled-over with or without the interest outstanding on it.

When not to trade in your car?

When Not to Trade In a Car. Although there are exceptions to this rule — as there are for most rules — don't trade in a car that is worth less than what you owe. In other words, if you get less when trading it in than the loan payoff, don't do it.

What credit score do you need to refinance a car?

There's no universal minimum credit score required to refinance your car loan, so it may be possible to get approved with bad credit. But just because it's possible doesn't mean it's a good idea.

Can I trade in a financed car?

Yes, you can trade in a financed car, but the balance of your loan doesn't just disappear when you do so — it still has to be paid off.

How to get rid of a car loan without ruining your credit?

But you'll need to tread carefully if you want to minimize the hits to your wallet and your credit rating.
  1. Renegotiate the loan. ...
  2. Sell the vehicle. ...
  3. Voluntary repossession. ...
  4. Refinance your loan. ...
  5. Pay off the car loan.

Can I sell my financed car to someone else?

If you have a loan on your car, you will most likely need to pay it off in full before transferring the title to a new owner.

Can I transfer my financed car to my LLC?

Inform Your Lender

Notify your lender about the ownership change and provide the new title. If there's a mortgage on the vehicle, you'll get a release from the lienholder after the payoff. You must be careful, though, as this does not apply to vehicles that the dealership is financing.

How to put all debt into one payment?

A debt consolidation loan is a personal loan you use to combine various existing debts into one loan. You'll only owe one lender at a single rate of interest and have one monthly payment. Doing this may save you money on interest costs and help you keep on top of your total borrowing.

Does the US government have a debt relief program?

When it comes to credit card debt relief, it's important to dispel a common misconception: There are no government-sponsored programs specifically designed to eliminate credit card debt. So, you should be wary of any offers claiming to represent such government initiatives, as they may be misleading or fraudulent.

What score do you need to consolidate debt?

1. Check your credit score. You'll typically need a credit score of at least 700 to qualify for a debt consolidation loan with a competitive interest rate. However, a lower credit score doesn't automatically equal a denial, as some lenders offer loans for bad credit.