How to Get Out of a Negative Equity Car Loan
- 1). Call or visit your financing institution to determine your payoff amount. Ask the bank representative for a 10-day to 30-day payoff amount to ensure that the amount includes the per diem, or interest added daily. You can also ask the per diem amount and figure the math yourself at the time that your vehicle is sold.
- 2). Search popular Internet guides to determine what your car is worth, either for trade-in or private sale (see Resources). Do not search just one guide. Try to search several, as values vary depending on the guide. Also, visit a bookstore to look through guidebooks that automotive dealers use. You can find these books in the automotive section of the store; the books are usually pocket-sized.
- 3). Determine the cash amount needed to get out of your car. For example, if your car is worth $10,000 and you still owe $12,000, you must give your bank the additional $2,000 to release the lien for the new owner. If you plan to trade the vehicle at a dealership, your vehicle would be worth less, as trade-in amount is lower than private sale amount. Also, the dealer might be able to use rebates to cover up your negative equity and minimize your out-of-pocket expense.
- 4). If you decide to sell your car privately, advertise your vehicle and make sure it is clean and detailed before showing it. You will have to go to your lending institution with the new owner to pay off the loan amount and release the lien.
- 5). If trading in the vehicle, work with a dealership to help you offset the negative equity. Simply go to a dealer and have your car appraised. You will have to find another car to purchase, and depending on your negative equity, the dealer may have specific cars with discounts to help you out of your situation. Otherwise, you can carry over the negative equity into a new car loan.
- 6). Sign paperwork. If selling privately, give the new owner the bill of sale and any vehicle items. Some states hold a title when it has a lien but if you have the title, sign the back of it where you see "seller's information" and fill out all required information, including mileage. If trading the vehicle with a dealer and purchasing another car, bring your title and sign all paperwork as the dealer directs, including contracts and Department of Motor Vehicles paperwork.
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