Rate Alert! Rate Alerts Glossary Glossary Help Help
 
  Bankate.com
 
News and Advice Compare Rates Calculators
 
 
- advertisement -
 
Columns: Driving for Dollars
Terry Jackson   Expert: Terry Jackson
Driving for Dollars
Move has same effect as repossession
Driving for Dollars

Giving back car will damage your credit
 

Dear Terry,
We owe $17,379.40 on our auto loan. We have already purchased a smaller vehicle that gets better gas mileage and has a slightly lower monthly payment. You said to give back the original car to the dealer or the finance company only as a last resort. Help.
-- Gregory Merkel

- advertisement -

Dear Gregory,
If you simply turn the old vehicle back to the finance company without paying off the balance, it will damage your credit score the same as a repossession. Try selling the old vehicle. Since I assume you owe more than it's worth, try to find the cash to cover the shortfall.


Here are this week's reader questions:
Certified cars offer value, reassurance
Can I cancel my car deal?
Do car payments help rebuild credit?
Will returning my car have repercussions?
Bankrate.com's corrections policy -- Posted: June 13, 2008
Read more Driving for Dollars columns
Ask a question

Auto Loans
Compare today's rates
NATIONAL OVERNIGHT AVERAGES
48 month new car loan 3.24%
60 month new car loan 3.35%
48 month used car loan 4.35%
RELATED CALCULATORS
  Auto loan calculator  
  A rebate or special dealer financing?  
  How much will the auto lease really cost?  
VIEW ALL  
- advertisement -
 
- advertisement -




About Bankrate | Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights | Online Media Kit | Partnerships | Investor Relations | Press Room | Contact Us | Sitemap
NYSE: RATE | RSS Feeds |

* Mortgage rate may include points. See rate tables for details. Click here.
* To see the definition of overnight averages click here.

Bankrate.com ®, Copyright © 2012 Bankrate, Inc., All Rights Reserved, Terms of Use.