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How does a repossessed car affect credit?

Author

Sarah Martinez

Updated on January 21, 2026

A repossession can stay on your credit report for up to seven years, making it harder for you to qualify for other loans. Repossessions have a severely negative impact on your credit and can show lenders that you may not be able to make payments on the property you purchase.

How bad will a repossession hurt your credit?

Your repossession and any late payments and collections that went with it will be automatically deleted after seven years. At that point, they will no longer affect your credit score.

How does a car repossession affect your credit score?

Having your car repossessed can hurt your credit a few different ways, but it’s possible to recover. Take the wheel and steer your finances by communicating with your lender early and often. Explore the mechanics of car loans and how credit scores work to avoid a potential repossession or to lessen the credit impact of the aftermath.

What’s the best way to pay off a car repossession?

The best option for your credit score is going to be to make a lump sum payment for the total amount or to set up a payment plan with the lender. With repossessions, negative accounts will remain on your credit report for seven years from the date of delinquency.

How is the balance on a car repossessed calculated?

This letter shows the selling price of your vehicle, and deducts that amount from the balance owed on your loan. Often charges for storage and a repossession fee are added to the balance claimed by the lender. These charges are added to the total balance owed in order to satisfy the loan.

How can I get my credit back after a repossession?

Paying your deficiency over time won’t immediately revive your credit score from the hit it took by having a repossession on record, but it will help you start getting back on your feet. 4  Sometimes, if you can prove that you are in dire financial straits, the lender might agree to settle for a percentage of what you owe them.