The Dangers of Cosigning an Auto Loan
1) A poor credit rating
A good credit score requires some effort to achieve. Any delay or non-payment of the auto loan after you sign on as a cosigner will appear on your credit report. Your credit score may suffer if the principal borrower is unable to make the payments. Additionally, when you add a cosigner, your debt to income ratio rises. A debt-to-income ratio should ideally not be higher than 36%. Your debt to income ratio goes up if you cosign. Additionally, a higher debt load lowers your credit score. Rethink your choice if the borrower has a bad credit history.
2) Admissible Court Decisions
The lender may file a lawsuit against the cosigner if the primary borrower is unable to repay the debt. Furthermore, you are likely to face legal action before the primary borrower. It's because you'll probably repay the loan quickly to maintain your credit score. A cosigner's assets and income may be at risk if the principal borrower is unable to repay the loan since the lender may be able to seize those assets.
Reduction in Credit Capability
Other lenders view you as someone who has already committed to guarantee a loan when you cosign. The lenders make the assumption that you are already paying your cosigned loan's monthly payments, leaving little money available to pay back a new loan. As a result, getting approved for a new auto loan may be challenging for you.
Is it wise to sign on as a cosigner?
Even if agreeing to be a cosigner might not be a wise financial move, you can do so if you are in a position to bear the risk. You might consider it if you have enough extra money or valuable assets to cover the primary borrower's loan balance. Additionally, it makes reasonable to answer yes if you intend to use the car.
It could seem like a wise move to cosign for an auto loan in order to raise your credit score. However, when you have to cope with a damaged credit score, enforceable court judgements, and decreased credit ability, it can mean all danger and no gain.""" - https://www.affordablecebu.com/