How bad does a voluntary repo affect you?

Asked by: Mr. German Harber Sr.  |  Last update: October 25, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (75 votes)

Does voluntary repossession hurt your credit? Voluntary surrender counts as a derogatory or negative mark and will stay on your credit reports for up to seven years. This stain on your credit reports might prevent you from being approved for new credit and your terms, like interest rates, will likely be higher.

What are the cons of voluntary repossession?

Cons of Voluntary Repossession

It is reflected in your credit report for up to seven years, making it harder to get approval for new credit during this period. Additionally, if you missed car payments in the time leading up to the voluntary repossession, this will negatively impact your score and credit history.

How bad will a voluntary repossession hurt my credit?

Each can appear on your report as a separate entry. Repossessions, collections, and court judgments can remain on your credit report for up to seven years, reading as a derogatory mark and dropping your credit score by 100 points.

What are the consequences of voluntary surrender?

The lender will resell the vehicle, and the proceeds will go toward the balance you still owe on the loan. If there is still a balance remaining after the sale and you don't pay it, it could be turned over to a collection agency. This may result in a collection account being added to your credit history.

Is voluntary surrender better than repo?

Deciding Between Voluntary and Involuntary Repossession

In terms of your credit, voluntary repossession can be the better option if you communicate and cooperate with your lender early on. In most cases, lenders would rather work with you than spend the time and money on the repossession process.

(in)Voluntary REPO: how giving a car back works and impact on credit score

22 related questions found

How do I recover from a voluntary repo?

A repossession typically stays on your credit report for up to seven years, so a big part of restoring your credit afterward is just waiting. But you can also be proactive in restoring your credit by paying your bills on time and working on paying off other debt.

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

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.

How to get rid of a car you can't afford?

In this article:
  1. Contact Your Lender.
  2. Request a Deferral.
  3. Refinance Your Car Loan.
  4. Trade In or Sell Your Vehicle.
  5. Ask Friends or Family for a Loan.
  6. Get a Side Hustle.
  7. Voluntarily Surrender the Car.

Can a bank refuse a voluntary surrender?

However, the lender has absolutely no obligation to do so. Even though you want to surrender the vehicle the lender won't pick it up.

How to fix credit after a car repossession?

How to Fix Your Credit After a Car Repossession
  1. Review Your Credit Reports. ...
  2. Get Caught Up on Past-Due Payments and Collections. ...
  3. Reduce Your Credit Utilization Rate. ...
  4. Get Credit for Non-Debt Payments. ...
  5. Become an Authorized User. ...
  6. Consider a New Credit Account.

How long does it take to rebuild credit after voluntary repossession?

A repossession can stay on credit reports for up to seven years. According to Experian®, the seven-year countdown starts on the date of the first missed payment that triggered the repossession. But Experian says that once that time period ends, they'll automatically remove the account from your credit report.

Can I sell my financed car back to the dealership?

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 you get another car loan after a voluntary repossession?

Unfortunately, the negative item that shows up on your credit report after a repossession makes it more difficult to secure a new loan. Many lenders may be unwilling to offer you a new loan, or they may offer a loan with a high interest rate, which could make it difficult for you to pay it back.

How many points is a voluntary repo?

Estimates vary, but you can expect a voluntary repossession to lower your credit score by 50-150 points. How big of a drop you will see depends on factors such as your prior credit history and how many payments you made before the repossession.

What can I do if I can't afford my car payment?

What to do if you can't make your car payments
  1. Request a loan deferment. ...
  2. Refinance your auto loan. ...
  3. Trade in your car. ...
  4. Find someone to take over your car payments. ...
  5. Sell your vehicle. ...
  6. Give your car back. ...
  7. Allow your car to be repossessed. ...
  8. File for bankruptcy.

Is it better to turn a car in or have it repossessed?

If you voluntarily surrender your car, then you won't be charged for the lender's repossession costs. Generally, this means that the deficiency judgment against you will be lower if you voluntarily give the car back. Another reason to choose voluntary repossession is that it might look better on your credit report.

Is a voluntary repo bad?

Voluntary surrender counts as a derogatory or negative mark and will stay on your credit reports for up to seven years. This stain on your credit reports might prevent you from being approved for new credit and your terms, like interest rates, will likely be higher.

Can I give back my financed car?

Voluntary Repossession

This involves surrendering the car to the lender. They then sell the car and use the proceeds to pay off the remaining loan balance. We can negotiate with the lender on your behalf to minimize damage to your credit score during this process.

Is a surrender better than a repo?

Benefits of Voluntary Surrender for Consumers

It can result in lower fees and costs associated with the return of the vehicle, as opposed to the fees incurred during repossession. It may allow for more control over the return process and timing, reducing stress and embarrassment.

What happens if the repo man never finds your car?

If your lender can't locate your vehicle to do a "self-help" repossession, they can still sue you for the vehicle. This will involve a small claims case, where the judge will order you to give the car to the lender. You might even be compelled to Court to provide testimony about the location of the vehicle.

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.

Will churches help with car payments?

Church grants are forms of financial aid provided by religious organizations to support individuals and families facing financial hardships. These grants can address various needs, including housing, utility bills, medical expenses, and car payments.

How to get repo fees waived?

Another option is to give up the vehicle to the lender voluntarily rather than going through the repossession process. The lender may find this option appealing because it avoids the costs of repossession, and it may agree to reduce or eliminate the deficiency balance on the loan.

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

Trading in a car generally helps you reduce how much you'll need to borrow when buying another vehicle, but if you have a balance on your current auto loan, you may be encouraged to roll your existing balance into a new loan, which will increase your total loan costs and the interest you'll pay over the life of your ...

What happens if you are 3 months behind on your car payment?

If you're anywhere from 30-90 days late, your car could get repossessed. The Federal Reserve Board says almost 8 million Americans are three months behind on their auto loans, and that should be a warning sign for working class consumers and those with a low income, especially if you're in the 25-35 age bracket.