What to do when you can’t afford your car payment Advertiser Disclosure Advertiser Disclosure We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our aim is to assist you make better financial choices by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators that provide objective and original content. We also allow users to conduct research and compare information for free and help you make financial decisions with confidence. Bankrate has partnerships with issuers such as, but not limited to American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. How We Earn Profit The deals that are advertised on this website come from companies that pay us. This compensation could affect how and when products are featured on this site, including the sequence in which they appear in the listing categories, except where prohibited by law. This applies to our loans, mortgages, and other home lending products. However, this compensation will not influence the information we publish, or the reviews you read on this site. We do not cover the universe of companies or financial offers that may be available to you. Westend61/Getty Images
4 min read . Published April 19 2022.
Dan Miller Written Dan Miller Written by Points and Miles Expert Contributor Dan Miller is a former contributing writer for Bankrate. Dan covered loans, home equity and managing debt in his work. The article was edited by Rhys Subitch Edited by Auto loans editor Rhys has been writing and editing for Bankrate since the end of 2021. They are passionate about helping readers gain the confidence to manage their finances by providing clear, well-researched information that breaks down complicated topics into bite-sized pieces. The Bankrate promise
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So, this compensation can affect the way, location and when products appear in listing categories, except where prohibited by law for our mortgage, home equity and other products for home loans. Other elements, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether or not a product is offered in the area you reside in or is within your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and where products appear on this site. We strive to offer a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include the details of each financial or credit item or service. A crucial aspect of a successful budget is fitting all of your monthly expenses within your income. As part of your ongoing budget review, you might be in a position where you feel like you can’t afford the car payment. If this is the case, you have several options to get some relief. Each of these options come with their own pros and cons, and you’ll want to review them carefully to determine which one is the best for you. Contact the dealership and ask for trade. The first step to take is to call your dealer to see if they can trade in your vehicle to get a cheaper version. It might be simpler to figure out if you originally bought the car from a dealer and the loan is financed through it. This might make the dealership more responsive in making arrangements with you. But even if that isn’t the case, it’s worth calling the dealer to see what options might be open to you. Based on the cost difference between your current and new cars, and the term and the length of time, you might be able to save a significant quantity of dollars by changing to a less expensive car. Be aware that the current market circumstances could make selling your car slightly more difficult. Prices of used cars have climbed significantly over where they were a few years ago. Also, depending on the kind of car you’re trading in and what kind of vehicle you’re hoping to buy this could prove more challenging than expected. Request loan modifications Another choice that you have if you can’t make the monthly car payment, is to request an . Through the option of a loan change, you collaborate together with your lender to change the conditions of your loan. This may include the reduction of your interest rate, deferring payments for a certain period, or changing your payment’s due date to align better with your schedule. A loan modification can also extend the duration of your current loan. It will typically lower your monthly payments, but you’ll be paying more interest over the duration of the loan. You’ll want to proceed carefully and make sure that the numbers are in your favor you before deciding to accept any changes. Refinance your car loan In the event that your lender does not want to alter the terms of your loan, you also have the option to . You can shop for a prequalification with several lenders to determine the most favorable rates and conditions. If you have accounts with a local credit union or bank, you might be able to obtain better rates as you have an existing relationship with them. Before refinancing your auto loan determine whether you’re eligible. Even even if you have a low rating on your credit report, you might be eligible if you can pay off your auto loan quickly or have increased you credit scores. Also, check to see the fees related to refinancing an auto loan. Certain fees are fees for early termination, transaction fees as well as state registration fees. the cost of auto insurance and late payment fees. Take a look at the following as a suitable method to refinance your vehicle: Decide if refinancing is the best option for you financially. Examine the current loan. Examine your credit score. Estimate the value of your car. Find the most competitive refinancing rates. Calculate how much you’d save when refinancing. Complete your paperwork. Sell privately and buy within your budget. If you aren’t able to pay for your car in the present, a different option to think about is to sell your car privately and then purchase a different car that’s more within your budget. There are more steps involved with this, but it’s certainly doable. The current market is favorable for the sale of a secondhand car, as prices are significantly higher than in previous years, so you may be able to get the best price. Of course, the other aspect of a booming marketplace for used cars is that it might be harder to locate an appropriate replacement vehicle that is within your budget. Be sure to study the market thoroughly and know what it will cost to buy a new car. This will provide you with an idea of how much you’ll save by switching cars , and whether it’ll be worth it to you. Request help from family and friends. assistance A last resort may be to ask your family and friends for help. It could or might be the best option for you, based on your relationship with family and friends, as well as their own financial situations. However, if you’re in a circumstance where you’re unable to pay your car payment, talking to those who are close to you may be a viable option to explore. Keep in mind as well that assistance from friends and family doesn’t always require a financial commitment. While it would be great having a wealthy uncle who would take care of your loan quickly, the majority of us are not in that kind of situation. In addition to financial help Your family and friends might be looking to sell their car or know someone that has. Those kinds of connections might help you save money. The next steps to take when you’re in a spot in which you’re unable to make car payment, acknowledging and taking stock of your financial position is the first step. If you ignore the situation, or more importantly, not paying for your vehicle loan can cause serious problems with your financial health overall. If you’ve discovered the issue you should look into the alternatives. Call your lender first to determine whether they’re willing to amend your loan. Lenders don’t like modifying existing loans however, they aren’t keen on repossessing cars. You must convince them of why it is important to modify your loan for you to keep making payments. Based on your circumstances and your score on credit, you may be eligible to refinance your loan and potentially save money. Be sure to research the fees associated with refinancing and read the conditions of the loan contract before making any decision. Frequently asked questions What do I do if I’m not able to afford the car payment? If you’re unable to pay for your car loan and you are in a position to pay it, now is the best time to take action. Explore these options: reach for your lender to see if you can defer payments, think about the possibility of obtaining an alternative loan or swap your car in for a new one, let it go or sell your vehicle in a voluntary manner. What are the fees associated with refinancing an auto loan? Fees associated with refinancing an existing auto loan could include early termination fees, transaction fees and state registration fees. They also include auto insurance costs late payment fees, as well as an upfront cash payment. Is it possible to refinance an auto loan even if you have a low credit score? Yes, you could be qualified to refinance a loan even with a poor credit score. Find out more
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Written by Points and Miles Expert Contributor Dan Miller is a former contributing writer for Bankrate. Dan covered loans as well as home equity and debt management in his writing. Edited by Rhys Subitch Edited by Auto loans editor Rhys has been editing and writing for Bankrate since the end of 2021. They are passionate about helping readers gain the confidence to take control of their finances with clear, well-researched facts that break down complicated topics into digestible pieces.
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