How Late Can You Be on a Car Payment? [2024 Update] | FINN (2024)

FAQs

How long can I be late on my car payment? ›

Most lenders attach a 10-15 day grace period to your loan, so there's no need to worry about incurring late fees or damaging your credit score. However, if the grace period is exceeded, a fee of $25-$50 will be charged - and 30 days of non-payment results in a dropped credit score and potential repossession.

In some states, a lender can repossess your vehicle if your payment is just 1 day late. Most lenders wait at least 60 to 90 days before taking steps to claim possession of your car. The terms of your loan may also dictate how long the lender must wait to repossess your car.

In a Nutshell

California law permits cars to be repossessed after one late or missed loan payment. Cars may be repossessed after missed insurance payments as well. There is no legally required grace period, and the repossession company doesn't have to give you notice that they are repossessing your car.

Most won't begin repossession until you miss three or more payments, but, as mentioned, they have the right to act after the first instance.

Lenders can repossess your car after only one missed payment, but specific rules vary by state and lender. Typically, most lenders won't repossess your vehicle until you've been delinquent for at least 90 days. But it's important to review the default actions specific to your loan.

Most lenders allow car loan payment deferment for up to three months. Very few lenders allow you to skip payments for as long as six months. However, the lender could consider the option if you have a good credit score, a consistent payment history, and your current financial circ*mstances.

Renegotiate your loan terms

Payment deferral: Payment deferral lets you temporarily pause payments on your loan. It usually lasts for just a short period of time, and any unmade payments get tacked on to the end of your loan term. Loan forbearance: Loan forbearance also allows you to pause payments on your loan.

If you're not able to make your payments and you haven't been able to work out an alternative with the lender or loan servicer, you could be at risk of having your vehicle repossessed. In some cases, lenders can repossess vehicles without warning or court order after you've missed a payment.

In September, the percentage of auto borrowers who were at least 60 days late on their bills rose to 6.11%, according to a Fitch Ratings report obtained by FOX Business. That marks the highest default level in nearly three decades and is a notable increase from the previous record of 5.93% in January.

If you used an unsecured loan to buy the vehicle, the car doesn't back the loan and cannot be repossessed by the lender. However, the lender could still sue you to recoup the losses of the unpaid loan. That could lead to eventual garnished wages or other consequences.

How many times can you defer a car payment? ›

Some lenders allow no more than one deferment over the life of the loan; others allow as many as two deferments per calendar year. Make sure you're within any limits spelled out in your contract.

Even a single late or missed payment may impact credit reports and credit scores. Late payments generally won't end up on your credit reports for at least 30 days after you miss the payment. Late fees may quickly be applied after the payment due date.

Once you are 30 to 90 days late on your repayments, your lender will likely say that your loan is in default. Once you're in default, the lender may be able to repossess your car anytime, without notice, and come onto your property to take it.

Car loan grace periods vary by lender and generally range from 10-15 days. For example, if your auto loan payment is due on the 15th of the month, and your lender has a 10-day grace period, you would not be charged a late fee if you pay by the 26th of the month. Most but not all auto lenders offer a grace period.

When considering all the money you'll need to invest in a new car, try to keep your total transportation costs to 10% of your monthly income or less. This way, you can afford to keep up with payments and still cover any unexpected costs.

When is a payment marked late on credit reports? A payment will typically need to be 30 days late before it's reported to the credit reporting bureaus. An overlooked bill won't hurt your credit as long as you pay before that 30-day mark, although you may have to pay a late fee.

Missing a payment by 30 days

Even if this is the first and only your payment is late by 30 days, it can still impact your score—by about 100 points or more, depending on the scoring model and your current credit score.

By paying half of your monthly payment every two weeks, each year your auto loan company will receive the equivalent of 13 monthly payments instead of 12. This simple technique can shave time off your auto loan and could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in interest.

When you sign an auto loan, you take on the legal responsibility to make monthly payments on time and keep adequate insurance. If you become delinquent or late on the payment by more than 30 days, or if you don't have adequate insurance, the lender has the right to retrieve or repossess their property (your car).