Can you buy a car after declaring bankruptcy?

You want to use Chapter 7 bankruptcy to eliminate your debt, but you worry that it will destroy your credit rating. This will make it hard for you to buy a car, something you absolutely need to do for work. Can you buy a vehicle after bankruptcy?

You absolutely can. The key is simply to work on re-establishing your credit after bankruptcy. When you build your score back up, you should be able to get a loan for a new car because all of your overwhelming debt is gone.

One thing to note is that this can take time. Start off by getting a credit card; even if traditional cards are not an option, you can likely get secured credit cards that require a deposit. Buy things with the card and then pay it off on time every month to build up your payment history. This improves your credit rating.

Do not be afraid to start low. For instance, the bank may take a $500 deposit and then give you a secured card with a $500 limit. Even if that feels like very little and you cannot use it for all of your monthly payments, it is just a stepping stone. After you have used that card for a while, you may be able to get a higher limit or an unsecured card.

Keep that car loan as your ultimate goal. Take your time, spend responsibly and work your way up to it. If you are dedicated, you can open a lot of financial doors.

To get the process started, make sure you know all of the legal steps you’ll need to take to file bankruptcy.