[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/resources\/what-happens-if-my-car-gets-repossessed-by-mistake#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/resources\/what-happens-if-my-car-gets-repossessed-by-mistake","headline":"What Happens If My Car Gets Repossessed by Mistake?","name":"What Happens If My Car Gets Repossessed by Mistake?","description":"Your car may be repossessed if you fail to make your loan payments on time. But what if your car is wrongfully repossessed by mistake? Fortunately, you have rights in a car repossession under Florida law. And, if there\u2019s been a mistake, a Fort Lauderdale wrongful car repossession attorney from...","datePublished":"2025-08-12","dateModified":"2026-05-01","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/attorneys\/matis-h-abarbanel#Person","name":"Matis Abarbanel","url":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/attorneys\/matis-h-abarbanel","identifier":55,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/matis-abarbanel_avatar-96x96.png","url":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/matis-abarbanel_avatar-96x96.png","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Loan Lawyers, LLC","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/icon-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/icon-logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/What-to-Do-If-Your-Car-Is-Repossessed-by-Mistake.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/What-to-Do-If-Your-Car-Is-Repossessed-by-Mistake.jpg","height":600,"width":600},"url":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/resources\/what-happens-if-my-car-gets-repossessed-by-mistake","about":["Auto Repossession"],"wordCount":780,"articleBody":"Your car may be repossessed if you fail to make your loan payments on time. But what if your car is wrongfully repossessed by mistake?Fortunately, you have rights in a car repossession under Florida law. And, if there\u2019s been a mistake, a Fort Lauderdale wrongful car repossession attorney from the Loan Lawyers law firm can help you explore ways to get your car back.If you\u2019re dealing with a wrongful motor vehicle repossession, take the steps we outline below to question what\u2019s going on. For immediate assistance, contact the Loan Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.Confirm Whether the Repossession Was a MistakeMy car was repossessed \u2013 what do I do?The first thing you should do is ask the repo agent to let you get your car\u2019s registration and check the VIN \u2013 vehicle identification number \u2013 on it against their repossession order. Sometimes, the lender will type the wrong VIN into their system and repossess the wrong vehicle.Call the police to confirm that the repo company has notified them of the repossession order. They are required to inform the police about their actions. If the police haven\u2019t been notified, tell them you need to report a theft.Car Repossessed? Contact the Lender or Loan Servicer ImmediatelyWas your vehicle repossessed? If you know you are not behind on your car loan payments, contact your lender or loan servicer and ask what\u2019s going on. Sometimes, a lender will forget to cancel a repo order after receiving a late payment.Confirm whether they mean to repossess your car. If they have overlooked a payment, offer to provide a copy of your bank statement or a payment receipt to confirm the transaction.If the repossession order is legit, ask whether you can stop it by making an immediate payment. Ask if you can have a missed payment applied to the end of the loan.My Car Was Repossessed. What Are My Rights?In Florida, a lender can repossess your vehicle without notice if you default on your loan. A lender can initiate a repossession if you are as little as 30 days late with a payment.But neither the creditor nor their agent (the repo man) may commit a \u201cbreach of the peace\u201d by using physical force or threats of force to take your vehicle.Here\u2019s what should happen if your car is repossessed:The repo agent should inventory all personal property found in your car and notify you within five business days so that you can claim it at no cost. If you are present during the repossession, they should allow you to retrieve your belongings.The lender should provide written notice about their plan to sell your vehicle at least 10 days prior to the sale.You should be allowed to redeem the loan and reclaim your vehicle by paying the full balance, plus any late fees and additional repossession fees, such as towing and storage costs.If the lender sells your car, the sale must be in a \u201ccommercially reasonable manner,\u201d meaning not sold for significantly less than fair market value. A sale is intended to cover what you owe; if they don\u2019t get enough, you could be liable for the difference.If the repossessed vehicle sells for more than the loan payoff, the excess should be sent to you.Get Legal Help From Our Fort Lauderdale Wrongful Car Repossession LawyersIf you are having problems making car payments, you don\u2019t have to be misused by your lender or their repo agent. The Loan Lawyers have a proven track record of helping clients resolve wrongful car repossessions and of providing practical solutions to debt problems.Dealing with a wrongful repossession? Call us in Fort Lauderdale today at (954) 523-HELP (4357) or reach out online for a free review of your debt solution needs.About the AuthorLatest PostsMatis AbarbanelMatis Abarbanel is the founding partner and senior attorney at Loan Lawyers in South Florida. He focuses his practice on consumer rights, helping homeowners navigate issues such as foreclosure and financial hardship. Matis also brings a wealth of experience from his previous work in personal injury law. As a devout Chasidic Jew, he is committed to making a positive impact in his community and dedicates his efforts to charitable initiatives through his non-profit organization, The Center, which aids at-risk Jewish youth. Matis actively serves clients across South Florida and is passionate about empowering individuals to secure their rights and achieve a better future.When Foreclosure Errors by Lenders Lead to Legal Remedies for Homeowners in Fort LauderdaleWhat Homeowners Can Do When Loan Documents Contain Forged or Altered SignaturesUnderstanding Florida\u2019s Debt Forgiveness Programs and IRS Rules"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Resources","item":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/resources\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"What Happens If My Car Gets Repossessed by Mistake?","item":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/resources\/what-happens-if-my-car-gets-repossessed-by-mistake#breadcrumbitem"}]}]