How does a co-signer work for a car?

Asked by: Prof. Ferne Luettgen  |  Last update: March 20, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (40 votes)

A co-signer is a person – such as a parent, family member, or a friend – who adds their information, including income and credit record, to the loan application and pledges to pay back the loan if you're unable to.

What credit score does my cosigner need for a car?

Although requirements can vary by lender, a cosigner typically needs to have good to excellent credit (670 and up) to cosign a loan or credit line.

Is cosigning a car a good idea?

If you have a low credit score or have experienced recent damage to your credit report, adding a cosigner with a good to excellent credit score could boost your car loan application. (Check your credit score here.) Likewise, you could consider a cosigner if you need a car loan with no credit history.

Who gets the credit on a cosigned loan?

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. The co-signer's credit scores may be positively or negatively impacted by the borrower's credit behavior.

How long does a co-signer stay on a car?

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.

Co-signing for a car: What you should know - Car buying tips

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

In most states, only the person on the title owns the car. Being on the note (loan) for the car typically does not give a person any ownership interest in a vehicle unless their name is also on the car's title. Again, this is a general rule.

Does cosigning hurt your credit?

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 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.

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.

What is a good credit score to buy a car with no down payment?

Every lender sets its own requirements for zero-down-payment deals, if they offer them at all. Generally, the credit score needed to buy a car is at least 661 whether you make a down payment or not. You could still get a car loan if your score is lower than 661, but be prepared to pay higher interest rates.

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.

What are the income requirements for a cosigner?

You need to have more income than the primary borrower to be a personal loan cosigner, in most cases, and loans from some lenders have minimum income requirements as low as $10,500.

Can a cosigner have a car repossessed?

The lender can seek a deficiency judgment against you even though you didn't own the car and the person you cosigned for was supposed to make the payments. But if a car you cosigned for is repossessed, you still have rights when it comes to the sale and collection of the deficiency.

What do dealerships look for in a cosigner?

A good credit report: Lenders expect the co-signer to have a good credit score. You can get a good credit score from a history of on-time monthly payments, a low debt-to-income ratio, and a long credit history. There are no set credit score requirements, but the higher the score, the better.

Can I get a car with a 500 credit score?

Yes, it's possible to finance a vehicle purchase with a 500 credit score or even below that. Keep in mind, though, that you can generally expect limited options, as well as high interest rates and fees. If possible, try to improve your credit before applying.

Can I pay someone to cosign for me?

There's nothing illegal about paying someone to cosign on student loans, but there are risks for both the initial borrower and the cosigner to consider. There are also alternatives when it comes to borrowing money for school that don't require a third party to cosign.

What rights does a co-signer have on a car?

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.

Can you take back being a cosigner?

Your best option to get your name off a large cosigned loan is to have the person who's using the money refinance the loan without your name on the new loan. Another option is to help the borrower improve their credit history. You can ask the person using the money to make extra payments to pay off the loan faster.

Does a cosigner get notified?

444.3, creditors are required to give a cosigner a notice that explains what his or her obligations would be.

Does a cosigner have to show proof of income?

To qualify as a cosigner, you'll need to provide financial documentation with the same information needed when you apply for a loan. This may include: Income verification. You may need to provide income tax returns, pay stubs, W2 forms or other documentation.

Is a co-signer name on the title of a vehicle?

A cosigner doesn't appear on your title and does not have ownership rights. Only co-owners appear on the title and have ownership rights to the vehicle.

How much does it cost to hire a cosigner?

To use Insurent, you will have to pay a fee ranging anywhere from 70% to 90% of a month's rent. This means that if your rent is $1,000, your fee would range anywhere from $700 to $900. If you're not a U.S. citizen, the fee will be larger: anywhere from 90% to 110% of one month's rent.

What credit score does a cosigner need?

Typically, your cosigner should have: Good-to-excellent credit: Your cosigner is your backer, so it makes sense that they should have strong credit. An excellent credit score is best, but try to aim for at least good credit or above (so a score of 670 or higher).

What fees do you pay as a cosigner?

What fees do you pay as a co-signer? As a co-signer, you may have to pay late fees or collection costs if the primary borrower doesn't pay their debt.

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.