‘That’s Impossible’: Boyfriend And Girlfriend Buy A Volkswagen. Then They Break Up—And She Tries To Get His Name Off It

"I want the car but I want his name off it."

Chicago boyfriend and girlfriend decide to lease a Volkswagen together. Then they break up—and she tries to get his name off it

Photo by: mikepirozzz & Robin LE MEE

Mustafa Gatollari

By: Mustafa Gatollari

Feb 2, at 6:00am ET

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A car salesman has a PSA for people who are thinking of getting a co-signer to help them finance a vehicle. His advice is a cautionary tale for anyone considering going dutch on an auto loan.

TikTok creator Mike P. (@mikepirozzz) shared a story about a couple who bought a 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, but later broke up.

Financing for the pair was seamless: Mike said that they both had good credit scores. The final payout for the vehicle was $35,000 with guaranteed asset protection (GAP) coverage and warranty. The couple put down $3,500 on the Atlas Cross Sport. With a 72-month loan and APR of about 9%, the two had a $565 a month payment.

From Buying Bliss To Breakup

While the car buying process was smooth sailing, it turns out that the couple’s relationship wasn’t. Less than two months later, Mike received a call from the woman. She asked him to take her now ex-boyfriend’s name off the Volkswagen's title.

“Okay that’s impossible, unless you go to your local bank,” the seller informed the woman. He explained that since the car wasn’t paid off, she’d have to go to the bank with her ex to get his name taken off the title.

The woman refused. Then she said she’d simply bring the car back to them. Mike explained to her that they couldn’t take the car back, and that she would have to, again, call her bank.

Mike says that instead she simply brought the car back and left it in front of the dealership. After a few days, he called her to see if she’d come to retrieve it. She declined.

Then he called the ex-boyfriend and informed him of the situation. He also refused to get the Atlas Cross Sport and also said he was unwilling to get his name taken off the title. Even after Mike told him that he’d end up with a repossession on his credit, the man still refused.

Afterwards, Mike called the woman back to try to convince her to keep making payments or at least to inform the bank she wanted to voluntarily give up the car.

“I want the car but I want his name off it,” she again said.

In the end, she opted to do nothing and to let the vehicle get repossessed, which left Mike shaking his head.

He highlights this as a cautionary tale for people considering buying a vehicle with their partner.

“If you’re gonna go on a car loan with somebody, make sure that 72-month loan, you’re gonna be with them for 72 months. That’s all I’m saying. You cannot take somebody’s name off of the title when you’re financing it, unless you go refinance it,” Mike says.

Should You Co-Sign On A Loan?

Many experts caution against co-signing on loans with other people because it can negatively affect your credit score and your relationship. The intimacy of a personal relationship is irrelevant, because oftentimes, financial entanglements can sour your relationship. Moreover, if they’re unable to make payments, you’ll be monetarily liable for the debt.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) describes “the potential risks of co-signing an auto loan” as a lose-lose situation. The agency says “while … [co-signers] don’t necessarily have the same rights to the vehicle as the primary borrower … you as the co-signer are equally responsible for ensuring the loan is paid back.”

If you co-sign on a loan, the CFPB cautions you to request financial statements to ensure the debt is being paid. Additionally, the bureau urges co-signers to only agree to be on the loan if they’re able to afford the payments if the person they’re co-signing for doesn’t make them.

People who commented on Mike’s post agreed that co-signing is rarely a savvy financial decision.

What do you think?

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Comments

“There's enough risk doing this when you're married, particularly if they were recently married, but to get involved financially with someone that you are not married to is never a good idea,” wrote one.

Motor1 has reached out to Mike via TikTok direct message for further comment. We’’ll be sure to update this article if he responds.

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