A joint auto loan is when two borrowers have rights and responsibility to the same vehicle and loan. If you have a co-borrower, then you both have to sign off on the loan in order to sell it. Here’s what you need to know when you want to sell your car with two people responsible for the loan.
Selling A Jointly Owned Vehicle
Joint owners are typically spouses or life partners who combine their income to meet income requirements or get a larger loan amount. Both co-borrowers are responsible for paying the car loan and have 50/50 rights to the vehicle, so both their names are listed on the title.
Since your co-borrower has the same rights and obligations to the vehicle as you, you must get their permission to sell the car. In most cases, they also need to be present for the sale to sign the title. This may not always be the case, though, so it's important to know how to read your car's title.
If you have it, take a look at your vehicle’s title for the names listed on the back where you sign to transfer ownership. For example: let’s say your name is Jane and your co-borrower’s name is Joe. You’re likely to see either:
- “Jane and Joe”
- “Jane or Joe”
- “Jane and/or Joe”
If you see "and/or" or the connector "or", this typically means only one person needs to be present for the sale of the car. But if you see "and" this means both of you need to be present to transfer ownership – this is usually the case with joint ownership.
In all three cases, you still need the permission of the co-borrower to sell the vehicle even if they don’t have to be physically present to sign the title. If you sell it without the co-borrowers consent, it may be considered a crime because it’s their property, too. Moving forward, discuss the sale with your co-borrower to avoid potential legal trouble.
Removing A Lien From The Car Title
If you still have a loan on your car, then your number one priority is paying off your lender. Your lender is the lienholder, and you can’t sell a vehicle without removing them from the title – they own the car until you complete the loan. This typically means paying off the loan balance naturally during the loan term or getting enough cash to pay it all off at once from a sale.
When you’re selling a car with a loan, you want to get an offer for your vehicle that's large enough to cover your loan balance and remove the lien. If you don’t get a large enough offer, then you need to pay that difference out of pocket before you can sell the vehicle. Or, you may be able to roll over the remaining loan balance onto your next car loan if you’re trading it in for something else.
Looking To Upgrade Your Ride?
Many borrowers ask for help to get the cars they need. If you need more income on your loan application to meet requirements, asking a spouse or life partner to chip in and be a co-borrower can do the trick. If you have a lower credit score, then a cosigner with good credit could help you meet credit score requirements.
But what if you want to go it alone on your next auto loan and your credit isn’t great? A subprime lender could be the answer. These lenders assist borrowers with many unique credit circumstances to help them get the vehicle they need.
