Can a 16 year old cosign a car loan?
Financing. A contract that a minor has signed may be void or voidable, depending on the state. So unless you have saved enough to buy a vehicle with cash, you'll need an adult to co-sign your car loan if you're under 18.
No. A 16 year old is not legally an adult, and cannot legally sign or be bound by ANY written contract. The car and the loan would have to be in a parent or other adults name.
No. At 16 you are a minor. A loan is a contract between the borrower and the lender. Minors cannot enter into legally binding contracts.
Co-sign a loan or a lease
"Helping a 16- or 17-year-old get a used car loan can be a good way to build credit," Griffin tell CNBC Select.
Although requirements can vary by lender, a cosigner typically needs to have good to excellent credit (670 and up) to cosign a loan or credit line. Lenders look at a cosigner's credit score and report as well as their income and assets to determine whether they qualify for a loan.
Legally, only someone over 18 can get a loan and, even if you are 18 or older, the lender will probably ask for your parent or another adult to co-sign. However, you'll need to make the payments every month, or it will have a negative impact on your credit—and on your co-signer's credit, too.
A co-signer is a person – such as a parent, family member, or a friend – who adds their information, including income and credit record, to the loan application and pledges to pay back the loan if you're unable to.
In most cases, you must be at least 18 years old to borrow money from a lender. There are ways for teenagers to finance a vehicle, but it usually requires a parent or guardian to take out a loan and put the vehicle in their name.
Individuals who are a minimum of 21 years of age at the time of applying for the loan, and no older than 65 at the end of the loan tenure. Those who have been in business for a minimum of 2 years.
An upside-down car loan occurs when the loan balance is more than the vehicle's current market value. This often happens when a car depreciates faster than you can pay off your loan. For example, if you owe $20,000 on your car loan, but the car's current value is only $15,000, then you're upside down by $5,000.
Can a 16 year old build credit as an authorized user?
Will adding your child to your credit card help establish her/his credit? Adding a minor as an authorized user can help build the minor's credit. In some cases, card issuers report to the credit bureaus the payment histories of every individual who has a card in their name — cardmembers and authorized users alike.
If you have a low credit score or have experienced recent damage to your credit report, adding a cosigner with a good to excellent credit score could boost your car loan application. (Check your credit score here.) Likewise, you could consider a cosigner if you need a car loan with no credit history.

- Open a Student or Secured Credit Card. ...
- Become an Authorized User on a Parent's Credit Card. ...
- Pay Student Loans on Time. ...
- Consider Taking Out a Credit-Builder Loan. ...
- Add Monthly Bills to your Experian Credit Report. ...
- Create an Experian Credit Report With Experian Go™
Having a cosigner can improve your chances of getting approved for a private student loan, but it's not a guarantee. In the 2023-24 school year, more than 90% of undergraduate private student loans had a cosigner, according to Enterval Analytics — yet some applications still get denied.
Consider a cosigner
Adding a cosigner to your auto loan could help you unlock a no-money-down car loan. However, any missed payments will affect your cosigner's credit score as well as yours. Before looping someone into your loan, be sure you can keep up your end of the deal.
Acting as a co-signer can have serious financial consequences. First, co-signers assume legal responsibility for a debt. So, if the primary borrower is unable to pay as agreed, the co-signer may have to pay the full amount of what's owed. Second, a co-signed loan will appear on the co-signer's credit reports.
Kids have to be at least 18 years old to open a credit card in their own name. If they're under 21, they'll also have to prove they can independently make the minimum payments on the account. Many teens start with a credit-building card like a student credit card or secured credit card.
You need to be at least 21 years old when you apply for the loan, and the maximum age at maturity of personal loan tenure, should be 60 years. Having a graduation degree under your name is preferable. However, this is not a prerequisite to qualify for the personal loan approval process.
In most cases, cosigners are not listed on the title unless they are also listed as co-owners of the vehicle. Typically, it depends on the laws and regulations of your specific jurisdiction. If you're having trouble getting a car loan, using a cosigner could help.
Borrow for whatever you need
If you're under 18 years old: We welcome you to apply for a Start Personal Loan, as long as you have a parent or other co-signer on your loan.
Should I cosign for my daughter's car?
You may have to pay late fees or other costly penalties if your child defaults. Financial stresses may adversely strain or damage your relationship. Co-signing increases your debt-to-income ratio which may negatively impact your own financial or borrowing plans. Co-signing does not inherently provide vehicle ownership.
What Age Do You Need to Be to Get a Car Loan? Of course, you must be 16 years old to legally drive a car, and usually, you have to be 18 to apply for a car loan. Fortunately, some financial institutions, like City Credit Union, will offer car loans for teens younger than 18 with a co-signer.
Best Online Bank Teen Checking Account
The Capital One MONEY Teen Checking Account is an excellent option if you prefer online banking. The online bank doesn't charge monthly service fees, overdraft fees, or out-of-network ATM fees, making it on par with some of the best banks for ATM fees.
While a person cannot legally sign a loan if they are under 18, there are still options. For example, you could get approved for a student loan or a secured credit card, or you could apply for a loan with a cosigner.
Name of the Bank | Interest Rate (p.a.) | Tenure |
---|---|---|
Axis Bank | 9.45% p.a. onwards | Up to 7 years |
Bank of Baroda | Fixed: 9.05% p.a. onwards Floating: 9.40% p.a. onwards | Up to 7 years |
Tamilnad Mercantile Bank | 10.70% p.a. onwards | Up to 7 years |
Bank of India | 8.85% p.a. onwards | Up to 7 years |