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Can your car be repossessed for credit card debt?

Author

Isabella Turner

Updated on January 20, 2026

If you have unsecured debt — debt that is not backed by collateral, such as a car or home — it’s difficult for a creditor to seize your assets. For example, if you’ve defaulted on an unsecured personal loan or credit card debt, collectors don’t have a legal standing to repo your car because of your debt.

Can you repossess a car in Massachusetts?

Before a lender can repossess your car, you have to get a notice that follows these requirements: The notice can only be sent 10 days after nonpayment. The notice must have this title: “Rights of Defaulting Buyer under the Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Installment Sales Act”

What is the maximum interest rate on a car loan in Massachusetts?

21%
APR is capped at a maximum of 21% in Massachusetts. This means the interest rate, with any additional finance charges added to it, may not be higher than 21% for an automobile.

Can a credit card be used to repossess something?

Credit card debt is unsecured, which means the credit agreement doesn’t name anything as collateral for the loan. So, items you purchased with a credit card can’t be repossessed.

Can a bank repossess a car if you default on a personal loan?

So, for example, say you have an unsecured personal loan and a car loan, both with A&B Bank, and you default on the personal loan. As long as you continue to make payments on the car loan, the bank cannot repossess your car because it was not specifically named as collateral for the personal loan. Credit card purchases.

Can a debt collector repossess my car in California?

But practically speaking, there are a few hurdles. The first is the fact that some personal property is off-limits to creditors. In our reader’s case, the California exemption protects $2,900 in equity in a vehicle. (In each state, specific property is “exempt” or safe from creditors.

Can a debt collector take my car off my credit report?

If there is a loan attached to the car, there has to be enough value in the car to pay off the debt from your share of the car before a creditor could have the sheriff tow the car and sell it. They’d have to give the co-owner his share of the sale price.” Did you find out about the negative item on your credit report? Not yet, very busy now.