Does being a co buyer on a car affect your credit?

Asked by: Laura Ratke  |  Last update: February 17, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (57 votes)

According to Equifax, when you co-sign for a loan, it is included in your credit history and is incorporated into your debt-to-income ratio.

Does being a co-buyer help your credit?

Here's how being a co-signer can build your credit: As long as payments are made on time, it adds to your payment history. However, if you have a high score and well-established credit, the effect may be small compared with the danger to your score if the borrower doesn't pay.

Is it better to have a co buyer on a car?

Easier Approval: Having a co-buyer on your contract may make it easier for you to get approved for financing, especially if you have a poor credit history. By adding a co-buyer with a good credit history, you may increase your chances of getting approved for auto financing.

Does co-signing on a car hurt your credit?

Cosigning a car loan itself may not impact your credit, but it may have implications for your credit down the line. Resources like Chase Credit Journey® can help you check and even improve your credit score.

Whose credit score is used when buying a car with a co-signer?

Lenders may look at the credit score of both you and your co-signer. So, a co-signer with good credit — a score above 660 — may result in lower rates. The average auto loan rate for subprime borrowers on a new car is 12.28 percent.

Co-signing For A Loan Is STUPID - Dave Ramsey Rant

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Can I still get denied with a cosigner?

You can still be denied, but only in rare circumstances, most of which will likely not apply to a first-time borrower. A borrower with a poor credit history or negative financial situations, such as bankruptcies or repossessions, will have a harder time getting approved for a loan—even with a good co-signer.

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

Co-signing for a car loan can aid the primary borrower in securing a car loan and potentially lower expenses with a better interest rate, provided the co-signer has a solid credit score.

Is co-signing a bad idea?

Acting as a co-signer can have serious financial consequences. First, co-signers assume legal responsibility for a debt. So, if the primary borrower is unable to pay as agreed, the co-signer may have to pay the full amount of what's owed. Second, a co-signed loan will appear on the co-signer's credit reports.

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.

How do I protect myself as a cosigner?

5 ways to protect yourself as a co-signer
  1. Serve as a co-signer only for close friends or relatives. One of loan co-signing's biggest risks is potential damage to your credit score. ...
  2. Keep copies of all the loan documents. ...
  3. Create a contract. ...
  4. Track monthly payments. ...
  5. Ensure you can afford payments.

Does a co buyer go on the title?

Co-buyers can combine incomes, and both of their names appear on the car's title. If one borrower misses a payment, the other is responsible for coming up with it, and both of their credit scores and credit reports are affected. A cosigner, on the other hand, doesn't have any rights to the vehicle.

What rights does a co-buyer have?

Rights of Co-Buyer: The co-buyer generally has as much right to the vehicle as the primary borrower. They are equally obligated to pay the loan and, in the eyes of the law, have equal ownership rights unless there's another agreement in place that states otherwise.

What credit score is needed to buy a car?

Still, you typically need a good credit score of 661 or higher to qualify for an auto loan. About 69% of retail vehicle financing is for borrowers with credit scores of 661 or higher, according to Experian. Meanwhile, low-credit borrowers with scores of 600 or lower accounted for only 14% of auto loans.

Is a co-buyer the same as a cosigner?

It also affects a cosigner's credit because they're listed on the loan, so any negative or positive action affects both the primary borrower and the cosigner's credit scores. Co-buyers (also known as co-borrowers or joint applicants), on the other hand, have equal rights to the vehicle and are typically a spouse.

How do I remove a co-buyer from my car?

Here are the four main ways to remove a cosigner:
  1. Release the Cosigner. Some banks and lending companies offer cosigner releases. ...
  2. Pay Off the Loan. If you have the money to pay off your loan in full, you might consider this option to remove your cosigner. ...
  3. Refinance Your Car. ...
  4. Sell the Car.

Will my credit score go down if I cosign?

Being a co-signer itself does not affect your credit score. Your score may, however, be negatively affected if the main account holder misses payments.

Can a co-buyer take the car from the buyer?

Yes. Each of your have a right to keep the vehicle in your posession. However, if you try to get the vehicle from the other owner, you cannot breach the peace to take it, and example: you cannot break into a garage or somethng like that.

Does co-signing a car affect credit?

Co-signing on a car loan can potentially hurt your credit if you or the primary borrower defaults or makes late payments. Following the application to co-sign for a car loan, you will also experience an initial drop due to the hard credit check.

Does a co-buyer have to be on insurance?

Generally, a co-signer on a car loan doesn't need to be added to a car insurance policy, unless they will be driving the vehicle regularly (like a parent that might be a co-signer on their child's car loan) or on the vehicle title.

How does being a co-borrower affect your credit?

Shared debt liability: Both co-borrowers are liable for the debt. That means that any missed or late payments can potentially hurt your credit. On the other hand, on-time payments may help your credit score.

What does God say about co signing?

Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.” – Proverbs 22:26-27. “Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.” – Proverbs 11:15.

Who gets the credit on a cosigned loan?

Both the primary borrower and cosigner are impacted by the cosigned loan. A cosigned loan typically appears on both credit reports, and the cosigner is responsible for paying back the loan if the primary borrower fails to do so.

Can a co-signer take the car away?

Unfortunately, since you have no legal rights to the vehicle, the primary borrower has to take the initiative to remove someone's name from the contract. Cosigners can't take possession of the vehicle they cosign for or remove the primary borrower from the loan since their name isn't on the vehicle's title.

Does having 2 car loans hurt your credit?

Keep in mind that having two car loans at once typically means higher auto insurance premiums. Your credit score could also dip when you apply for financing, making it more challenging to qualify for credit in the near future.