Is it possible to trade in a financed car?

Asked by: Dr. Edythe Davis DDS  |  Last update: September 20, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (35 votes)

Yes, you can trade in a financed car, but the balance of your loan doesn't just disappear when you do so — it still has to be paid off.

Is it a good idea to trade in a financed car?

“Generally speaking, no. It's not a good idea to trade in a car when you still owe money on the loan you purchased to buy that car. It is possible, but the dealership is simply going to add the remainder of the loan to the price of your new car. Make sure your loan allows you to pay it off early.

What happens if you trade in a car that isn't paid off?

You can still trade in your car with negative equity, but you'll still be responsible for paying off the difference. Your dealer will typically roll your remaining balance into a new loan which makes your monthly payments greater. To calculate your equity, first you'll want an idea of how much your vehicle is worth.

Can you trade back a financed car?

Yes you can. It does not affect the value. The dealership will add the remaining balance to the price quote. They will pay the loan off after you trade it in. Basically, you're paying that money one way or another.

Does selling a financed car hurt your credit?

Who you sell the car to, or whether you sell the car at all, won't have any effect on your credit. What affects your credit is paying off the car loan. That might raise your score, or it might reduce it, depending on what else is in your credit report.

Smartest way to trade in a car with Negative Equity

45 related questions found

How can I get rid of a car that I still owe money on?

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.

What credit score is needed to trade in a car?

Your credit score won't impact the trade-in value of your car, but it will affect the interest rate you're able to get on the next vehicle you buy. Check your credit score before you begin the process, and if it's in the mid-600s or below, consider taking steps to improve your credit before you continue.

How do you sell a car that you still owe money on?

You can sell a car with a loan but you'll need to give the full payoff amount to your lender before they'll release the car title. You can do this with your funds after you complete the sale, or you can refinance your car loan or apply for a personal loan.

How soon can you trade in a used financed car?

While you can trade in a financed car at any time, it is most beneficial to wait until you have positive equity before doing so. It is also a good idea to wait at least a year or more before trading in, especially if you purchased your car brand new.

What not to say when trading in a car?

Telling a salesperson upfront that you have a trade-in adds another ingredient to the car-buying stew they'll cook up for you. The more numbers you have in the game, the more chances they have to manipulate the final price or monthly payment.

Will a dealership buy my car if I still owe money?

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.

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

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.

How much negative equity is too much?

How Much Negative Equity Is Too Much on a Car? The maximum negative equity that can be transferred to your new car is around 125% . It means your loan value should not be more than 125% of your car's actual worth. If it is more than 125% then your next car's loan would not be approved.

Does trading in a car hurt your credit?

So, you can find out the value of your car and sell it to the dealer without thinking about your credit. If you are selling or trading in your car for another model, though, and are planning on financing, the inquiry process can impact your score. However, the vehicle trade-in itself carries no weight.

Can you roll over a car loan to another car?

Rolling over your car loan is the process of adding the negative equity, or remaining car loan balance, of one vehicle loan into your next. If you are trading in your car but still have a current balance, dealers may offer to roll your previous balance into your new vehicle.

How many years should you keep a car before trading it in?

The best mileage range to trade in a car is often between 30-40,000 miles or between two and three years old, before your new car warranties expire. You're more likely to receive a higher trade-in appraisal when it has fewer miles on it and more of its warranty left .

Can I trade in a car that is not paid off?

When trading in a car with negative equity, you'll have to pay the difference between the loan balance and the trade-in value. You can pay it with cash. Or you could roll what you owe into a new car loan, but this option isn't recommended.

Can I lease a car if I still owe on my loan?

A dealer may allow you to trade in a financed car for a lease, but you'll still be responsible for the amount you owe on your current car's loan.

Will the dealership buy my car without trade?

Yes, this is a thing. We're still in fairly lean times for inventory and dealerships are happy to acquire a car for the used lot without selling something.

Can you sell a car that's not fully paid off?

It is perfectly possible to sell a financed car without having first fully paid it off. Most car shoppers finance their purchases, so dealers buy used vehicles with partially unpaid auto loans all the time. CarGurus explains how selling a car you still owe money on is easy and can be done in only a few steps.

How to get rid of a financed car?

You can renegotiate, refinance or sell your vehicle to get out of a car loan you can't afford. Refinancing can be a good option if your credit score has improved since you initially took out the loan. When trying to exit a lease early, be aware of potential fees and consider transferring the lease to someone else.

Does CarMax buy financed cars?

CarMax buys vehicles that are not paid off. To sell a car you still owe money on to the retailer, you must provide loan information so CarMax can pay off the lender. If you owe more than your offer, you will need to cover the difference.

Will a dealership always accept a trade in?

Your dealership will need to do an evaluation of your vehicle to provide you an exact trade-in value, but the basic rule of thumb is almost any kind of dealership will trade in any type of automobile as long as it is driveable.

Will a dealership pay off my car loan?

If you're interested in trading in your upside-down car, some dealerships will offer to pay off the loan for you. Sounds too good to be true? It's because it is. While the dealer will pay for this loan upfront, this balance will get added to the loan of the new vehicle.

How do you trade in a car you just financed?

In most instances, yes, you can trade in a car with a loan, and some dealers might roll your remaining balance into a new loan. But trading in your car doesn't make your loan disappear. You will still have to pay off the remaining loan balance that your trade-in amount doesn't cover.