Can two people share a car loan?

Asked by: Hulda Pouros I  |  Last update: February 26, 2026
Score: 5/5 (47 votes)

A co-applicant is someone who is typically part of an application for joint auto financing. Often, they will be a family member such as a spouse or parent. If approved, the applicants become co-borrowers with shared responsibility for repaying the debt as well as shared rights to use and ownership of the vehicle.

Can two people be on a car loan together?

In a joint auto loan, two borrowers are equally responsible for paying back the loan, and each of them must make regular, separate but equal payments. A co-signer, on the other hand, acts as a “backup plan” for the lender getting paid back. Co-signers are only expected to pay back the loan if the borrower cannot.

Can two people go on a car loan?

Can there be two applicants on a car loan? Yes, there can be two applicants on a car loan. Find out if you're eligible today.

Can you have two names on a car loan?

Unfortunately, once you sign an auto loan agreement, you can't add someone to that loan without refinancing. If you think you might want someone else to be on your loan, plan carefully, and put them on the contract right away. Otherwise, you'll have to refinance to add their name to your car loan.

Can two people get finance on a car?

Yes, absolutely! While you might think you can only have one car finance agreement at any one time, the truth is that you can have as many loans as your chosen lender allows. There is nothing to stop you from having two finance loans going simultaneously, even if one is HP car finance and the other is PCP finance.

How to Transfer a Car Loan to a Family Member (Steps & Costs)

23 related questions found

Is it better to have one or two people on a car loan?

Co-borrowing is best for people who both have good credit and want equal rights to the vehicle — such as a couple that wants to buy a car together. On the other hand, a co-signer is best for a borrower who wouldn't qualify for the loan at all, or needs help qualifying for a larger amount or lower interest rate.

Can two friends buy a car together?

There are two paths by which two people can appear in car loan paperwork and, in essence, share the loan. The first is co-signing, and the second is joint borrowing. We'll look at both, discuss the pros and cons of each, and, of course, tell you what we would do if faced with either.

Whose credit score is used on a joint auto loan?

Whose Credit Score Is Used on a Joint Auto Loan? Lenders consider both borrowers' credit scores when considering joint auto loan applications. The borrowers must qualify for the lender to approve the loan. Payments, or the lack of payment, affect the borrowers' credit scores.

Can I add someone to my car loan without refinancing?

You cannot add a co-signer to an existing loan

Most lenders won't simply replace a current co-signer with a new one on an existing car loan because it would require them to essentially go through the approval process for a new auto loan.

How do I add someone to a car title?

You need the already existing title to prove your ownership of the vehicle. Sign the seller section to indicate yourself as the seller, then provide your name and the person to be added in the buyer section. Enter both names with the appropriate conjunction to indicate whether it is a Joint or Common Ownership.

Can two people be on the same loan?

For example, joint personal loans are fairly common among couples when one person has lower credit or when two incomes can help the couple qualify for a larger loan amount. Applying for a joint loan with someone who has an excellent credit rating might also help you secure lower interest rates or better terms.

Can I put my financed car in someone else's name?

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.

What is a co applicant for a car loan?

Key Takeaways. A co-applicant is a person who joins in the application for a loan or other service. Having a co-applicant can make an application more attractive since it involves additional sources of income, credit, or assets. A co-applicant has more rights and responsibilities than a co-signer or guarantor.

What is the difference between a co-signer and a co applicant?

In some cases, multiple applicants could be structured hierarchically so that the main borrower is primary, and the co-applicant is secondary. A co-signer, on the other hand, is not an equal participant in the loan application, but rather a guarantor.

What credit score do you need to buy a car?

According to Car and Driver, “Most used auto loans go to borrowers with minimum credit scores of at least 675. For new auto loans, most borrowers have scores of around 730. The minimum credit score needed for a new car may be around 600, but those with excellent credit often get lower rates and lower monthly payments.”

Should both husband and wife be on the car title?

To avoid such complications, it's advisable to establish joint ownership of any vehicle or titled property. Signing a title with “name or name” creates joint tenancy, a legal statue under which either party can claim ownership. This simplifies the process in the event of one partner's death.

Can I add someone to a title without refinancing?

Yes, you can add someone to your property title without including them on the refinanced mortgage loan.

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.

How long does a cosigner stay on a car loan?

A co-signer doesn't need to stay on the loan for the life of it, either. After making the required principal and interest payments, you can apply to release them and manage repayment on your own.

Is it better to have two people on a car loan?

Co-signers typically have higher credit scores than primary borrowers and therefore can help them qualify for a loan and/or a lower interest rate that they might not be able to qualify for on their own.

Does a cosigner need income?

A co-signer must have their income, assets, credit score and debt-to-income ratio in good shape to receive approval.

Who owns the car if there is a co-signer?

Although liable for payments if you default, the cosigner doesn't share vehicle ownership and won't be on the car title. They also generally don't make the regular monthly payments. Co-borrower: A co-borrower shares financial responsibility and ownership of the car from day one.

Can a car loan be in two names?

A joint auto loan is one where two co-borrowers own a vehicle together and share the responsibility of paying for a car loan. You both apply together and the lender combines your incomes to qualify you for financing.

Can two people finance the same car?

A co-applicant is someone who is typically part of an application for joint auto financing. Often, they will be a family member such as a spouse or parent. If approved, the applicants become co-borrowers with shared responsibility for repaying the debt as well as shared rights to use and ownership of the vehicle.

Can two people share a car?

Two or More Owners of the Shared Car

Another option is for both you and your friend or neighbor to own the car. You could buy a car together with your neighbor or, if you already own a car, you can sell a share to your neighbor.