How To Buy A Vehicle While Dealing With Bankruptcy
If you have dealt with financial insecurity for a long time, bankruptcy can be life-changing. After you receive your debt discharge, you can begin moving forward and start over again. If you are currently in financial distress and considering bankruptcy, one issue you may have is whether or not you will ever be able to borrow money again, especially when you need a new vehicle. There are some obstacles you may face when you need to purchase a vehicle after bankruptcy, but it is not impossible. Here are some ways you can buy a vehicle once you have gone through bankruptcy:
Save for a Used Vehicle
There are some really nice used vehicles available for purchase. After you file for bankruptcy, it may be difficult to find a brand-new vehicle that you can pay cash for, so consider saving your money and buying a used vehicle outright. It may take you some time depending on the type of vehicle and price point you are looking for. However, this is an ideal method to use if you do not need a vehicle right away.
Rebuild Your Credit
If you must finance a vehicle, the best way to get a loan is to rebuild your credit. Although bankruptcy is a great tool to help you get financially reestablished, it does leave a negative mark on your credit report. These negative marks can prevent you from getting a traditional auto loan Thankfully, the negative marks are only temporary and will impact your credit less and less over time. Rebuilding your credit does not happen overnight. It can take several years possibly before you can get your credit to a point that will be acceptable to lenders.
To rebuild your credit, be sure to make all of your current payments on time. You may want to apply for a new credit card, but do so with caution. Any late payments on a new credit card will undo all the hard work you have done thus far and can put you back into the same situation.
Reaffirm Your Current Vehicle
If you absolutely must have your car and you are capable of paying off your monthly note each month, you might have the option to reaffirm your vehicle in bankruptcy. This will depend on the type of bankruptcy you filed. To reaffirm a vehicle means you will agree to continue making the payments on the car instead of discharging it in bankruptcy. To get the vehicle reaffirmed, you will sign a new contract with the car dealership or the lender you used for the purchase. The lending terms will not change, so the payments will not be any lower than they currently are. If you are confident you can make the payment, this could be a good way to go in keeping your vehicle.
Reach out to a bankruptcy lawyer to learn more.