Can you transfer car finance to someone else?
You may find yourself in circumstances when it would be beneficial for your car finance agreement to be in another name. You may need to apply for another form of credit, such as a mortgage, and wish to improve your affordability, or perhaps you can’t afford the payments and wish to transfer the debt to someone who can. If you’re asking yourself ‘can you transfer car finance to someone else?’, the answer is generally no - a specific car finance cannot be simply transferred to another person. However, there are solutions for different circumstances.
Avoid fronting and fraud
If you’re looking to transfer car finance to someone else because you took it out on their behalf as they were financially unable to acquire credit without letting the lender know your intention, you could be accused of ‘fronting’ and fraud. It’s illegal to take out finance for another in this way.
Always be upfront when applying for car finance. There are lenders who specifically arrange credit possibilities for those with limited or poor credit histories. Many will accept parents taking out car finance for their children and will allow them to act as a guarantor. This is possible for those with a history of bad credit applying for credit too. Many lenders will allow them to add someone who will vouch for them financially in order to secure a car finance agreement.
Guarantors and their role
A person willing to make your payments, should you find yourself unable to make them during the term of your car finance agreement, is called a guarantor. With a reliable guarantor named on your application, a finance company will feel more secure in offering you finance regardless of your credit history, whether it is poor or just limited.
Always obtain the consent of your guarantor first before making any applications, as it’s their history of credit that will be checked before any car loan will be offered to you.
Talk to your finance company
Always communicate with your lender. While the general rule is that car finance agreements can’t be assumed by another person, there may be lenders prepared to help you with your situation. In some cases a lender, subject to a credit check of the person you wish to transfer the car finance to, may be willing to make such a transfer.
It’s important in any legally binding agreement to always be upfront about any changes you’d like to make regarding who is named for the car finance.
Settling the outstanding debt
Another option open to car buyers who would like to transfer the agreement to another but cannot do so, is to settle the existing debt and take out a new agreement in the other person’s name.
Again, talk to your finance company. Let them know your intentions and ask for the help in facilitating the process. If they are losing your finance payments per month, they may be happy to make finance possible for the person you wish to transfer yours to.
Discuss the situation with the other person if this is possible. Together you may be able to come to an agreement to pay off the existing debt together and then take out a new car finance deal in their name instead.
The right answers when you need them
If you are unsure of what options are open to you when you’re looking to transfer finance of your car over to someone else, you can arrange a call back to discuss your situation. At Car.co.uk, we’re confident we can put your mind at ease with our expert advice.