Hello, Unless the lender is willing to release you from the loan or the other party refinances in their name only, you cannot remove yourself from a loan. It is a contract that the lender doesn't have to let you out of until it is paid off in one way or the other.
No, it doesn't hurt your credit, but having one can get credit history in your name because most times without a cosigner, you're not approved for an apartment or loan.
Pay off the loan
The most painless way to remove a co-signer is to pay off the car loan. If the removal is due to financial strain this may not be the most practical option but paying off the loan in full will rid the responsibility of both the primary borrower and the co-signer.
You can often remove a cosigner at any point during the loan period. Your loan paperwork might dictate specific terms, though. For example, some lenders require 24 months of on-time payments from the primary borrower before they'll consider releasing the cosigner.
It can affect your credit scores.
Because a co-signed loan is recorded on your credit reports, any late or missed payments can have a negative impact on your credit scores. If the borrower defaults on the loan and ceases payment, the debt may be referred to a collection agency.
The lender may take legal action against you, pursue you through debt collection agencies, or sell the debt to a “debt buyer” to try to collect the money that is owed on the loan if the borrower does not pay or defaults on his or her repayment obligations.
Yes, refinancing your auto loan will usually hurt your credit a little. But if you make your new loan payments on time, any damage to your score will likely be both temporary and small. Your credit could bounce back to its current score in as little as a few months.
The cosigner is legally responsible for the debt if the primary borrower can't make payments. Any late or missed payments can negatively impact both parties' credit scores. Furthermore, the cosigner doesn't have any ownership of the vehicle.
Removing yourself as an authorized user can lower your credit utilization ratio and the age of your credit history, both of which can have a negative impact on your credit score.
To release a cosigner from the car title, you'll essentially do a title transfer from both owners to only your name. This step requires a few documents, including the original title signed by the 'sellers,' odometer verification, a valid government-issued ID, and proof of insurance.
Refinancing your loan is the easiest way to switch co-signers. Whether you refinance with a new lender or the same one, you'll have the choice to apply with the same co-signer, a different co-signer or no co-signer at all. Just keep in mind that you'll need to qualify for the new loan.
If things go poorly, all three could suffer. Can a cosigner repossess a car? It's important to know that taking possession of the car if the primary borrower defaults, or “taking matters into your own hands,” is not a legitimate substitute for legal action.
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.
Fortunately, you can have your name removed, but you will have to take the appropriate steps depending on the cosigned loan type. Basically, you have two options: You can enable the main borrower to assume total control of the debt or you can get rid of the debt entirely.
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.
Some lenders have a release option for co-signers, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. A release can be obtained after a certain number of on-time payments and a credit check of the original borrower to determine whether they are now creditworthy.
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.
You might have to pay fees
And your refinance lender could have application or origination fees. Your current lender might also charge a prepayment penalty for paying your loan off early, although prepayment fees aren't as common as they used to be.
A co-signer or co-borrower can request a release from a car loan, refinance the loan, pay off the loan or sell the vehicle to remove themselves from the loan agreement. It is important to communicate with the other borrower and come to an agreement on how to handle the loan before taking any action.
While you don't necessarily have the same rights to the vehicle as the primary borrower, you – as the co-signer – are equally responsible for ensuring the loan is paid back. If the primary borrower doesn't make their monthly loan payment, you will be asked to make the payment.
If the borrower forged your signature, or if they committed fraud to enforce you to sign the loan contract, you can sue both the lender and the primary borrower to have your name removed. However, you'll need unquestionable proof that you did not willingly consent to cosign the loan.