Will That New Car Destroy Your Credit Scores?

edit scores were good when you purchased thesupposed to and will are two separate things.
car, and your payments are no higher than theyWithout those records, your warranty will
were on your old car, so how could a new carbecome invalid, so check now. If the dealership
purchase hurt you?hasn't yet closed, go get print-outs of their
Assuming that you continue making all yourrecords before it's too late. Then keep your own
payments on time, they shouldn't. But if you'verecords of any future maintenance work.
gotten involved with the wrong car dealership,But these things are only dangerous to your bank
your credit scores could be taking a beating.account. Something even worse is happening, and
The car buying game has taken on new risksit can affect your good credit.
simply because so many Chrysler and GeneralTrading in a car that isn't fully paid for has been
Motors Corporation dealerships are closing.routine. The dealership factors in the amount you
First, caring for that car may cost you more - inowe in order to compute your equity in your old
terms of both time and money for travel. Ascar. Then they pay off the old debt and re-sell
more and more dealerships close, you may beyour old car.
required to travel long distances to find authorizedThat's how it's always been done, but in the wake
repair centers for routine maintenance andof poor sales and financial troubles for the
warranty work. But that's just the beginning.dealerships, some of them simply didn't do it. And
If part of your purchase negotiation includeduntil that old loan is paid off, you are still the one
things like oil changes or weekly car washes,responsible for the monthly payments.
those extras will simply disappear. Those wereYour credit report could right now be showing
agreements with the dealership, not with G.M. ormonth after month of unpaid debt on your old
Chrysler.loan.
If you purchased the car several months ago andIf you've purchased a new car recently and
have been having the dealership do your routinetraded in a vehicle that wasn't paid for in full,
maintenance, check to see if you have completecheck your credit report today. If your old loan
records - because the records they kept may behas not been paid off, you need to contact your
lost. They're supposed to be transferred, butcreditor and the credit bureaus immediately.