How to Sell a Car With a Loan or Lien
The Short Answer
Yes — you can sell a financed car to We Buy Any Car even if you still owe money on it. During your appointment, if your offer exceeds your remaining loan balance, you receive the difference via check, ACH, wire transfer, or Zelle before you leave. If your balance exceeds your offer — a situation called negative equity — you would cover the gap at your appointment. Either way, the loan is satisfied and the lien is released. Every seller who accepts their offer is paid before they leave.
Selling a car you’re still making payments on is more common than most people realize — and it’s more straightforward than it sounds. This page explains exactly how the process works when you sell a financed vehicle to We Buy Any Car, what happens with your lender, and what you need to bring to your appointment.
What It Means to Sell a Car With a Lien
When you finance a vehicle, your lender places a lien on the title. That lien gives the lender a legal interest in the vehicle until the loan is paid in full. You can’t deliver a transferable title to a buyer — including We Buy Any Car — until the lien is released.
This is what makes selling a financed car different from selling an outright-owned vehicle. The extra step is lien payoff: satisfying the outstanding loan balance so the title clears and can transfer. We Buy Any Car handles that coordination directly with your lender.
How the Process Works: Step by Step
Selling a financed vehicle to We Buy Any Car follows the same basic process as any other sale — with the addition of lien payoff coordination between us and your lender. Lien payoff coordination is a standard part of every financed vehicle transaction we process, not a special arrangement — we handle it directly with your lender so you don’t have to.
| Step | Action | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Get your online valuation | Enter your vehicle details at webuyanycar.com. Your online valuation is based on the year, make, model, trim, mileage, and condition you report, combined with current seasonal and market demand. If your vehicle qualifies, you may receive a 7-Day Offer — a conditional offer valid for seven calendar days. For full details on how the valuation is determined, see how we calculate your car offer. |
| 2 | Get your payoff amount | Contact your lender directly to request a 10-day payoff quote. This is the exact dollar amount needed to satisfy your loan as of a specific date. Ask for this in writing — you’ll need it at your appointment. |
| 3 | Bring your documentation | Arrive at your appointment with your government-issued ID, your payoff letter (in writing, from your lender), your lender account number, and the vehicle title if you hold it (required in AZ, KY, MD, MN, NY, OK, SD, and WI). Current registration is also required. |
| 4 | Attend your appointment and receive your firm offer | Bring your vehicle to a We Buy Any Car location — or schedule a mobile buyer to come to you. A trained appraiser conducts a physical inspection covering the exterior, engine and frame, and interior and vehicle history. Based on the inspection findings and current market data, a firm offer is extended to you. |
| 5 | Compare the numbers | Compare your WBAC firm offer to your payoff amount. If your firm offer exceeds your payoff, you receive the difference via check, ACH, wire transfer, or Zelle. If your payoff exceeds your firm offer — negative equity — you would be responsible for covering the gap before the title can transfer. |
| 6 | We handle the payoff coordination | We Buy Any Car contacts your lender directly to arrange payoff. The loan is satisfied, the lien is released, and title transfers to us. You receive payment for any equity in the vehicle before you leave — same day. |
Note on payoff timing
Your lender’s payoff process varies. Some lenders release the lien electronically within a few days. Others mail a paper title release, which can take longer. We Buy Any Car coordinates this process on your behalf — you don’t need to manage it. Your payment is issued at the appointment regardless of when the lien release is finalized. We Buy Any Car can process financed vehicle purchases outside standard banking hours, including on Saturdays — you don’t need to wait for your lender’s business hours to complete your appointment. If you have automatic loan payments set up, do not cancel them before your appointment. We Buy Any Car handles the payoff directly with your lender — canceling auto-pay ahead of time is not necessary and may complicate your account status.
Positive Equity, Break-Even, and Negative Equity: What to Expect
Your payoff amount and your offer don’t always match. Here’s how each scenario plays out:
| Scenario | Example | What You Receive |
|---|---|---|
| Equity (offer > payoff) | WBAC offer: $12,000 / Payoff: $8,000 | $4,000 paid to you on the day of sale |
| Break-even (offer ≈ payoff) | WBAC offer: $10,000 / Payoff: $9,950 | $50 paid to you, loan satisfied |
| Negative equity (payoff > offer) | WBAC offer: $8,000 / Payoff: $10,000 | You cover the $2,000 gap at appointment; loan is satisfied and title transfers |
| Leased vehicle | See leasing section below | We contact your leasing company to confirm if a third-party dealer buyout is possible. If permitted, we handle the process directly. If not, a lease buyout by you would be required first. |
What Is Negative Equity — and What Are Your Options?
Negative equity — also called being “upside-down” on a loan — means you owe more on your vehicle than it’s currently worth. This situation is more common than most sellers expect: according to Edmunds’ Q4 2025 data, nearly 3 in 10 trade-ins toward new vehicle purchases carried negative equity — and the average amount owed hit a record $7,214 (source: Edmunds Q4 2025 Insights Report).
If We Buy Any Car’s offer is lower than your payoff amount, you have a few options:
- Cover the gap at your appointment. You pay the difference between the offer and the payoff directly at the time of sale. The loan is satisfied, the lien is released, and the transaction closes the same day.
- Roll it into a new auto loan. If you’re financing a new vehicle purchase elsewhere, many lenders allow you to roll negative equity into that loan. This isn’t something We Buy Any Car arranges — it’s a conversation to have with your next lender before your appointment.
- Wait to sell. If the negative equity gap is large and you have flexibility, continuing to make payments reduces your balance over time. We Buy Any Car does not provide financial advice. Vehicle market values fluctuate and waiting to sell does not guarantee a more favorable outcome. Consult a financial advisor before making decisions based on anticipated market movement.
For a full breakdown of negative equity options
See our complete guide to selling a car with negative equity for every option — including private party sale, dealer trade-in, lender short sale negotiation, and refinancing — with the tradeoffs of each.
Can I Sell a Leased Car to We Buy Any Car?
It depends on your leasing company — but in many cases, yes.
Unlike a financed vehicle where you hold an interest in the title, a leased vehicle is owned by the leasing company. That means there’s no standard lien to release. Instead, we handle what’s called a third-party dealer buyout — a process where the leasing company agrees to sell the vehicle directly to us on your behalf.
Whether this is possible depends entirely on your leasing company. Some permit third-party dealer purchases; others don’t — and policies change, so we verify every time. We contact your leasing company directly to confirm whether a direct purchase is possible and to obtain the buyout details. You don’t need to arrange this yourself.
If your leasing company won’t allow a third-party dealer purchase, the alternative is to exercise your lease buyout option first — purchasing the vehicle from the leasing company at the residual value stated in your lease — and then selling it to us. Whether that makes financial sense depends on whether our offer exceeds your residual value.
The quickest way to find out where you stand is to get an online valuation and contact a We Buy Any Car team member with your leasing company’s name. We’ll take it from there.
What Documents Do You Need to Sell a Financed Car?
Bring the following to your We Buy Any Car appointment. Having everything ready shortens the process — appointments with complete documentation and a clear title situation typically run faster.
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Government-issued photo ID | Driver’s license, state ID, or passport — must match the registered owner name. |
| Vehicle title | If you have a paper title, bring it. If the lender holds the title (common with active liens), we coordinate directly with them — you don’t need the physical document in hand. |
| Lender account number | So we can contact your lender to arrange payoff — found on your monthly statement or lender’s online portal. |
| Payoff letter | A written 10-day payoff quote from your lender — the exact dollar amount needed to satisfy the loan as of your appointment date. Request this by phone or through your lender’s online portal before your appointment. |
| Registration | Current vehicle registration. |
Don’t have the physical title?
This is common with active liens — lenders typically hold the title or are listed as lienholder on the electronic record. You don’t need to obtain a duplicate title before your appointment. We Buy Any Car works directly with your lender to confirm the payoff and facilitate title transfer. If you’re in a state where the owner holds the title even during financing (Arizona, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Oklahoma, South Dakota, or Wisconsin), bring your title to the appointment — it will show the lien noted on it, which is expected.
Selling a Financed Car to We Buy Any Car vs. Trading In at a Dealership
Both paths handle your lien — but the mechanics differ, and the incentives behind them are different.
When you trade in a financed vehicle at a dealership, the dealer pays off your loan as part of the new vehicle transaction. If you have negative equity, it is typically rolled into your new loan — increasing your loan balance on the replacement vehicle. The net result can be a new car with a higher loan balance than expected, carrying the weight of your previous vehicle’s shortfall.
With We Buy Any Car, there is no new vehicle purchase involved. You’re not being steered toward financing a replacement. If you have negative equity, we tell you the gap upfront and you decide how to handle it. No trade-in markup, no add-ons, no pressure.
What Sellers Say
The following reviews are from verified Trustpilot submissions by sellers who completed financed vehicle transactions with We Buy Any Car USA.
“My vehicle was on lien and had negative equity. Both things were taken care of with ease. Few more mins in there and all was done. Three days later, my loan account has been closed by my bank.”
★★★★★ Verified Trustpilot review — Duluth, GA
“To be honest, I expected such a stressful experience because I still owed money on the car, but I was wrong! The representative made the entire process simple.”
★★★★★ Verified Trustpilot review — Pine Brook, NJ
“After spending 4 days dealing with Carvana’s slow customer service, I was finally ready to sell my SUV to them. At the last moment they told me because I was behind 1 payment and had a few late fees on my account that we wouldn’t be able to proceed. It was then that I reached out to webuyanycar.com. The representative assured me this would not be a problem as long as it showed on the Dealer payoff, which it did. An hour after that I was on my way home with a nice check in hand.”
★★★★★ Verified Trustpilot review — Deerfield Beach, FL
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell a car I’m still making payments on?
Yes. We Buy Any Car purchases financed vehicles. The outstanding loan is handled through lien payoff coordination with your lender — you don’t need to pay off the loan before your appointment.
What happens to my car loan when I sell my car to We Buy Any Car?
Your loan is paid off as part of the transaction. We Buy Any Car contacts your lender directly to arrange the payoff, the lien is released, and the title transfers to us. If your offer exceeds your payoff balance, you receive the difference the same day. If your payoff exceeds your offer, you cover the gap at the appointment. Either way, your loan obligation ends at the point of sale.
Will We Buy Any Car pay off my loan directly?
Yes. We contact your lender to arrange the payoff. The process varies by lender — some release liens electronically within days; others mail paper title releases. We manage this on your behalf. Your payment for any equity in the vehicle is issued at the appointment, same day.
What happens if I owe more on my car than it’s worth?
If your payoff amount exceeds We Buy Any Car’s offer — negative equity — you would be responsible for covering the difference at your appointment before the transaction closes. For a full breakdown of your options in this situation, see our guide to selling a car with negative equity.
Can I sell a car with a lien if I don’t have the title?
Yes. If your lender holds the title or is listed as lienholder on the electronic record, you don’t need to obtain a duplicate before your appointment. We Buy Any Car works directly with your lender to confirm the payoff and coordinate title transfer.
How do I find out my payoff amount?
Contact your lender directly — by phone or through their online portal — and request a 10-day payoff quote. This is a specific dollar figure (different from your remaining balance) that accounts for any interest that will accrue before the payoff is processed. Get it in writing.
How long does it take to sell a financed car to We Buy Any Car?
The in-person appointment process for a financed vehicle typically runs about 1 hour but plan for additional time to verify lender documentation and initiate the payoff process. We Buy Any Car can process financed vehicle purchases outside standard banking hours, including on Saturdays. We Buy Any Car pays every seller who accepts their offer the same day. The lien release itself may take days or weeks depending on your lender — but that doesn’t delay your payment.
Do I need to stop my automatic loan payments before selling?
No. Do not cancel automatic loan payments before your appointment. We Buy Any Car coordinates the payoff directly with your lender — your auto-pay does not need to be stopped in advance, and canceling it before the payoff is complete may affect your account standing with your lender.
What if my lien hasn’t been officially released yet?
In some cases, We Buy Any Car can proceed with your purchase even if the formal lien release document hasn’t arrived yet — provided your lender can confirm the payoff verbally at the time of your appointment. This is handled on a case-by-case basis. Your We Buy Any Car team member will walk you through the steps if this applies to your situation.
Can I sell a leased car to We Buy Any Car?
It depends on your leasing company. We Buy Any Car can sometimes purchase a leased vehicle directly by handling a third-party dealer buyout with your leasing company — but not all leasing companies permit this. We verify on every deal. If a direct purchase isn’t possible, you would need to complete a lease buyout first before selling to us. The quickest way to find out is to contact a We Buy Any Car team member with your leasing company’s name.
Get Your Free Online Valuation
See what your car is worth in about 60 seconds. If you like the valuation, book a same-day appointment at one of our U.S. locations or schedule a home visit and we’ll come to you. Financed vehicles welcome. Every seller who accepts their offer is paid before they leave — check, ACH, wire transfer, or direct deposit via Zelle.