Does transferring a car loan affect credit score?

Asked by: Dr. Maximillia Hammes DVM  |  Last update: February 9, 2026
Score: 5/5 (4 votes)

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.

Will it hurt my credit score if I transfer a car loan to another person?

It may affect your credit score: Transferring your car loan could have an impact on your credit score. Transferring a loan closes your account, which may affect your credit age. The good news is that while you may notice a temporary credit score drop, it's often much less than if you were to miss your car payments.

Can you switch a car loan to someone else?

Yes, a car loan can potentially be transferred to another person, but it typically requires the lender's approval. Here are the general steps and considerations involved: Check the Loan Agreement: Review the terms of the loan agreement to see if it allows for a transfer or assumption of the loan.

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

Selling, trading in, refinancing, or negotiating a payment adjustment are usually better options to get out of a car loan without negatively impacting your credit score than running afoul of a knock to your credit.

Does loan transfer affect credit score?

The simple act of performing a balance transfer isn't going to affect your credit score much, if at all. The key to changing your credit score is to use the transfer to reduce your debt — both in dollar terms and as a percentage of your available credit.

How to Pay Off Your Car Loan Faster (it's NOT Velocity Banking)

23 related questions found

Will my credit score go down if I do a balance transfer?

In some cases, a balance transfer can positively impact your credit scores and help you pay less interest on your debts in the long run. However, repeatedly opening new credit cards and transferring balances to them can damage your credit scores in the long run.

What happens when my loan is transferred?

Federal law protects borrowers when loans are bought and sold by requiring that both the old and new lenders notify you in writing within 15 days of a sale that a transfer has taken place. The letters should provide the name of the new lender, how and where payments can be made, and when your next payment is due.

Does giving back a financed car hurt your credit?

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. That makes getting approved for financing in the future much harder.

Can I cancel a car loan after signing?

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.

Can I return my car to the dealership if I can't afford it?

In some instances, a dealer may accept the return of a financed vehicle if it's necessary to avoid repossession. What's important to keep in mind here is that a vehicle's value depreciates quickly. Even after just a few months of ownership, you may owe more on the car than it's currently worth.

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.

Can a financed car be registered to someone else?

Yes! You do have the option to title and/or register your vehicle in someone else's name. In order to do this, the new owner must sign a Security Agreement form, acknowledging that the credit union has a lien against their property.

Can a vehicle loan be transferred to another person?

Final Thought. Depending on the lender and the situation, it is possible to transfer an auto loan to another person, provided a new borrower is willing to work with your lender and has a great credit score. But the process can be complex.

Can you take out a loan and give it to someone else?

Regardless of how close your relationship is, if you do take out a loan for someone else, the only person legally responsible for repaying that money is you. As far as your agreement with your lender goes, you're taking the money out in your name for you, so you – and only you – are legally responsible for repaying it.

Will my bad credit affect my husband buying a car?

Marrying someone with poor or damaged credit does not affect your credit scores. But if you and your spouse plan to seek credit jointly, their low credit score could affect your ability to get a loan, or lead to higher interest charges than you'd get if you applied yourself.

Does cancelling a car loan hurt your credit?

It has an impact on your credit mix.

If the auto loan was your only installment loan, then paying it off and closing the account could decrease your credit mix.

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.

Can I change my mind after signing a car loan?

Most of the time, unfortunately, you can't return a financed car. Although there are a few scenarios where it may be possible (more on that below), they are few and far between.

Is a voluntary repo better than a repo?

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 out 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.

Can a dealership repo my car for not paying down payment?

They can sue you for the balance you didn't pay for the down payment, but unless it was in the contract they can repossess, the law in CA doesn't allow it. Under California law, a breach of contract occurs when one party fails to fulfill a legal duty the contract created and causes damages for the defendant.

Does transferring a loan affect your credit?

A balance transfer can improve your credit over time as you work toward paying off your debt. But it can hurt your credit if you open several new cards, transfer your balance multiple times or add to your debt.

Can a car loan be sold to another lender?

Lenders often sell loans as a way to pay off creditors when they go out of business. If your car loan is sold to another lender, your new lender will most likely have you pick up your payments where you left off and continue doing business with you according to your contract.

What is the 60-day grace period after a transfer to a new servicer?

You Get a 60-Day Grace Period After a Servicing Transfer

If you send your payment to the old servicer by mistake, the new servicer can't treat it as late if: you sent it to the old servicer within 60 days of the transfer, and. the old servicer received it on or before the due date, including any grace period. (12 ...