Finding yourself upside down on a car loan, where the amount you owe exceeds the car’s current value, can be a challenging situation to navigate. If you’re in this predicament, you may be wondering whether selling your car despite the negative equity is a wise decision. In this blog post, we will delve into the factors to consider If you find yourself asking “Should I sell my car if I’m upside down?”

Assessing Your Financial Situation

Before making any decisions, it’s crucial to assess your financial circumstances thoroughly. Take into account your overall debt, cash flow, and ability to continue making payments on the existing loan. Evaluate whether selling your car will provide immediate relief or potentially exacerbate your financial strain is essential.

Understanding the Upside Down Position

Being “upside down” on a car loan refers to a situation where the amount owed on the loan exceeds the current market value of the vehicle. In other words, the outstanding loan balance is higher than what the car is worth.

This occurs due to factors like depreciation, a long loan term, or a high-interest rate. As soon as you drive a new car off the lot, it starts losing value. If you have a lengthy loan term or a high-interest rate, it can prolong the time it takes to build equity in your vehicle.

Weighing the Pros and Cons

Pros—Selling the car while upside down on the loan can offer immediate financial relief by eliminating the burden of monthly payments and potentially reducing your overall debt. It also grants you the freedom to explore alternative transportation options that better align with your current financial situation. Additionally, selling the car helps you avoid further depreciation, which may minimize your overall losses.

Cons—One of the major drawbacks of selling a car when you’re upside down is dealing with negative equity. This means you’ll need to pay the difference between the car’s value and the outstanding loan balance out of pocket. Depending on the extent of negative equity, you may experience a financial loss when selling the car. 

Determining What to do With Negative Equity

If you find yourself in a situation where you’re upside down on a car loan and don’t have the funds to pay off the negative equity, we can help. Don’t Trade It In has partnered with LightStream to assist our clients with financing negative equity. Financing negative equity eases the burden of paying the difference between the car’s value and the outstanding loan balance in a lump sum by allowing you to pay it incrementally. Learn more about our financing negative equity program here.

Exploring Alternatives

Consider alternative options to mitigate the negative equity:

• Selling your car to Don’t Trade It In and using our partner, LightStream, to finance negative equity. Learn more here.
• Paying down the loan faster by increasing your monthly payments can help reduce the negative equity over time, bringing you closer to breaking even or reaching positive equity.
• Exploring refinancing options to secure a lower interest rate or a shorter loan term can help you build equity faster.
• If you can afford the monthly payments and the car meets your needs, choosing to keep the vehicle until you reach positive equity might be a viable option.

Seeking Professional Guidance

When faced with a complex financial decision like selling a car when you’re upside down, it’s advisable to consult with a financial advisor or credit counselor. These professionals can assess your financial health, help you weigh the pros and cons, and provide personalized guidance on the best course of action based on your specific circumstances.

Also, our team at Don’t Trade It In can help if you find yourself upside down on a car loan. Contact us today to learn more about selling your car to Don’t Trade It In and the financing negative equity through LightStream.