How to buy a car with two people?

Asked by: Laron Ankunding Sr.  |  Last update: May 17, 2025
Score: 5/5 (5 votes)

There are two paths by which two people can appear in car loan paperwork and, in essence, share the loan. The first is co-signing, and the second is joint borrowing. We'll look at both, discuss the pros and cons of each, and, of course, tell you what we would do if faced with either.

Is it okay to buy a car with 2 owners?

Yep. Vast majority of lenders will need both parties to be on the loan. There's a few exceptions. There's a few loopholes such as for dependent or household vehicle, but that's about it.

Can you get a car loan with 2 people?

A co-applicant is someone who is typically part of an application for joint auto financing. Often, they will be a family member such as a spouse or parent. If approved, the applicants become co-borrowers with shared responsibility for repaying the debt as well as shared rights to use and ownership of the vehicle.

What is the 20/4-10 rule for buying a car?

The rule recommends making a 20% down payment on the car, taking four years to return the money to the lender, and keeping transportation costs at no more than 10% of your monthly income.

Can two people go on a car loan?

Can there be two applicants on a car loan? Yes, there can be two applicants on a car loan. Find out if you're eligible today.

Questions to NEVER answer on a car lot - Car Buying Tips

45 related questions found

Can two friends buy a car together?

There are two paths by which two people can appear in car loan paperwork and, in essence, share the loan. The first is co-signing, and the second is joint borrowing. We'll look at both, discuss the pros and cons of each, and, of course, tell you what we would do if faced with either.

Whose credit score is used on a joint auto loan?

Whose Credit Score Is Used on a Joint Auto Loan? Lenders consider both borrowers' credit scores when considering joint auto loan applications. The borrowers must qualify for the lender to approve the loan. Payments, or the lack of payment, affect the borrowers' credit scores.

Is $2000 a good down payment on a car?

How much should you put down on a car? A down payment between 10 to 20 percent of the vehicle price is the general recommendation.

How much should I spend on a car if I make $60,000?

A person making $60,000 per year can afford about a $40,000 car based on calculating 15% of their monthly take-home pay and a 20% down payment on the car of $7,900. However, every person's finances are different and you might find that a car payment of approximately $600 per month is not affordable for you.

What are 5 questions you should ask the dealer before you buy a car?

Just the List for the TLDR Crowd:
  • When may I test drive the car, preferably by myself?
  • May I have my mechanic inspect the car?
  • May I see a CURRENT car history report, such as Carfax? ...
  • Has a qualified mechanic inspected the car, and may I see that report?

How to buy a car as a couple?

When you co-own a vehicle, you take out a joint auto loan where both borrowers carry equal responsibility for the vehicle's monthly payments. If the relationship ends, you could agree to refinance the vehicle in one person's name or sell the vehicle and split the proceeds.

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 2 people on a loan?

One way to improve your credit score is to co-borrow with someone who has a better credit score than you. By doing so and ensuring that you pay off the loan on time, you can boost your credit score, which will make it easier for you to access better loan terms and interest rates in the future.

How do I add a co-owner to a car title?

You need the already existing title to prove your ownership of the vehicle. Sign the seller section to indicate yourself as the seller, then provide your name and the person to be added in the buyer section. Enter both names with the appropriate conjunction to indicate whether it is a Joint or Common Ownership.

Is it a red flag if a car has multiple owners?

We suggest you do a proper review before finalizing any deals. It's less about how many owners have had a particular car and more about the mechanical condition of a car. Is A Car Having A Lot Of Previous Owners A Red Flag? A newer car that has a ton of owners previously can actually be considered a red flag.

Why should spouses never title automobiles jointly?

For married couples the rule of thumb is for each spouse to individually own the car they drive. The reason for this is to limit liability in the event of an accident.

What are the income requirements for a car loan?

However, for auto loans, lenders usually prefer a debt-to-income ratio below 36%. The minimum income necessary to qualify for an auto loan may vary, but most lenders prefer an applicant to have at least $1,500 to $2,000 in monthly income before taxes.

What is the rule of thumb for buying a car?

20% down — be able to pay 20% or more of the total purchase price up front. 4-year loan — be able to pay off the balance in 48 months or fewer. 10% of your income — your total monthly auto costs (including insurance, gas, maintenance, and car payments) should be 10% or less of your monthly income.

How many years is 72 months?

72 months equals 6 years. To figure this out, we recognize the well-known relationship between months and years. That is, there are 12 months in 1 year.

Is it bad to put 0 down on a car?

No down payment means a bigger car loan, leading to more interest (unless you pay your car loan off early). You might also need to choose a longer term to keep your monthly payments affordable, which means you'll pay more interest over the life of your loan.

Do dealerships accept cash as a down payment?

Most dealerships will work with you to get a down payment that works for your budget. Cash, personal checks, and debit cards are typically preferred for down payments, although there are times when a credit card may be wiser.

Can I get a car with no money down?

You can buy a car with no down payment, but you are more likely to pay much higher interest rates. Another option is to buy a cheaper used vehicle or trade in your existing car, if you have a vehicle that's in good condition, which can help lower your rate, too.

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.

Can I cosign with no income?

In addition to having a good-to-excellent credit score, your potential cosigner will need to show that they have enough income to pay back the loan if you default on it. If they don't have sufficient income, they won't offset the lender's risk and may not be able to cosign.

What FICO score do banks use for auto loans?

FICO Score 5 and FICO Score 8 are both common credit scores. Mortgage and auto lenders often use FICO Score 5, while credit card issuers typically use FICO Score 8.