By Marcela De Vivo • January 19, 2023
Many people who need fast cash rely on title loans. Unlike a traditional personal loan, a title loan is typically processed quickly, which means you can get your hands on the cash you need as soon as possible. The eligibility requirements are also different for title loans, so you may qualify for a title loan even if you don’t qualify for a traditional personal loan.
Title loans are secured loans. If you want to borrow money with a title loan, you must use the title to your vehicle as collateral. You can keep driving your vehicle while you make payments, though. However, the title loan company will put a lien on your title until you have paid off your debt.
Because your car is used as collateral, you might be wondering whether you will still qualify for a title loan if you already have a lien on your vehicle.
Can you get a title loan with a lien? Here’s what you need to know:
Before you find out whether you can get a title loan with a lien, it’s important to understand what liens are and how they work.
A lien is a legal right to property. By putting a lien on your vehicle, the lienholder is staking a claim to the property.
If you take out a loan using your vehicle as collateral, the lender will put a lien on your title until your loan has been repaid. This way, if you default on your loan, the lender has the legal right to take possession of your vehicle to satisfy your debt.
If you are still making payments on your vehicle, your lender most likely has a lien on your vehicle. If you need fast cash, you may be worried that this will make it harder for you to get a title loan. It is possible to qualify for a title loan even if there is a lien on your vehicle because you are still paying off your auto loan.
Your eligibility in this situation will depend on several factors, including:
Your vehicle is used as collateral, so your title loan company should know how much it is worth before determining if you are eligible for another loan. To calculate your vehicle’s resale value, your lender will evaluate its make, model, year, mileage, condition, and trim level.
Your equity is the difference between your car’s resale value and the amount you still owe on it. For example, if your car is worth $10,000 and you owe $2,000 on it, you have $8,000 of equity.
You must have equity in your vehicle to
qualify for a title loan. If you owe more than your vehicle is worth, you are not eligible for a title loan.
The bottom line is many people with only a few payments left on their auto loans qualify for a title loan. Everyone’s situation is unique, which is why it’s best to contact your title loan company to find out if you qualify even though you have a lien on your vehicle.
If you are still making payments on your title loan, you may want to know whether you can take out a second title loan since your vehicle has a lien on it. Taking out a second title loan is not the answer in this case. A better option would be refinancing your title loan.
Refinancing involves taking out a new title loan to pay off your current title loan. In other words, the new title loan replaces the old one.
There are a number of benefits to refinancing your title loan, including:
These are some of the many reasons why so many people choose to refinance their title loans.
New Paragraph
USA Patriot Act Disclosure: Important information about procedures for opening a new account
To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. What this means for you: When you apply for a loan, we will ask for your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. We may also ask to see your driver's license or other identifying documents.
Loans may be made by one of several lenders, including: Wilshire Commercial Capital L.L.C. dba 1 (800) Car-Title and Wilshire Consumer Credit, a licensed lender in certain states. Loans not available in all states. In California, loans are made pursuant to a Department of Business Oversight California Finance Lenders License. See State Disclosures for additional information.
Accessibility Statement. We are committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone and applying the relevant accessibility standards in compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. For feedback on our website accessibility or if you have any problems with the access of our website please call our toll-free number 800-589-0290 or email us at WilshireCustomerCare@WilshireConsumer.com and we will assist you.
Wilshire Commercial Capital, LLC dba 1 (800) Car-Title and Wilshire Consumer Credit is located at 4727 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90010.
TO REPORT A PROBLEM OR COMPLAINT WITH THIS LENDER, YOU MAY WRITE OR CALL Tracy Bergiman, Director of Compliance, 4751 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90010, 323-837-5775, tbergiman@westlakefinancial.com.
New Mexico Only: This lender is licensed and regulated by the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Financial Institutions Division, P.O. Box 25101, 2550 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504. To report any unresolved problems or complaints, contact the division by telephone at
(505) 476-4885 or visit the website: https://www.rld.nm.gov/financial-institutions/.
Copyright. Wilshire Commercial Capital, LLC. dba 1 (800) Car-Title and Wilshire Consumer Credit. All Rights Reserved.