How bad will surrendering my car hurt my credit?
Isabella Turner
Updated on February 16, 2026
Voluntarily surrendering your vehicle will have a substantially negative impact on your credit scores because it means that you did not fulfill the original loan agreement. When you voluntarily surrender your vehicle, the lender will sell the car to recover as much of the money owed as possible.
Does voluntary termination affect credit rating?
Although voluntary termination provides a safety net for consumers, it generally loses the finance company money. What’s more, voluntary termination will not affect your credit score or credit rating. However, some finance companies may decline any further finance applications from you.
Does early termination fee affect credit?
If you pay all outstanding charges before moving, including any back rent and fees, breaking a lease won’t hurt your credit score. However, breaking a lease can damage your credit if it results in unpaid debt.
What happens to my credit score if I Surrender my Car?
Voluntarily surrendering your vehicle may be slightly better than having it repossessed. Unfortunately, both are very negative and will have a serious impact on your credit scores. Surrendering your vehicle and repossession are very similar in financial terms. You are unable to make the loan payments, so the lender is taking the vehicle back.
What happens if I Surrender my Car to Experian?
If you surrender voluntarily, you might be able to avoid these fees. When it comes to your credit report, a voluntary surrender makes you a high risk for future loans, but the fact that you gave the vehicle back when you realized you were in over your head speaks to your responsibility, the Experian team states.
What happens to my credit if I give my car back?
Credit Consequence According to credit reporting bureau Experian, if you give your car back to the lender, your credit report will list “voluntary surrender” next to the account along with any balance you still owe, because the value of your car wasn’t enough to cover your loan.
Is it better to surrender your car or repossess it?
If a judgment is filed against you, this will also reduce your credit score. Returning your car to the lender is better than waiting for it to get repossessed, but not by much. Both voluntary surrender and repossession can result in a major hit to your credit and additional fees.