Can a Mortgaged Car Be Driven for a Lifetime?
4 Answers
Under the premise of legal and reasonable sources and good vehicle condition, a mortgaged car can be used until it is scrapped. Mortgaged cars are divided into fully paid mortgaged cars and non-fully paid mortgaged cars. Fully paid mortgaged cars are legal and can be traded; non-fully paid mortgaged cars are still under mortgage status with the DMV and the bank, making them illegal and untradeable. The conditions that a fully paid mortgaged car must meet include: 1. The car was purchased with a one-time payment; 2. The car was purchased with installment payments, the payments have been completed, but the owner is unwilling or unable to repay the financial company and does not cooperate with the transfer, leading to a legal transfer of debt by the financial company. For a mortgaged car, you can check the mortgage registration details in the motor vehicle registration certificate, or visit the DMV with the original owner to inquire about the car's information.
You can't drive a mortgaged car for a lifetime—I’ve been through a similar situation, so I’m giving everyone a heads-up. These cars are typically used by the original owner as collateral for a loan, meaning full ownership isn’t yours. If the loan isn’t fully repaid, the bank or lender can repossess the car at any time, no matter how good its condition is. The physical lifespan of the car might indeed be long—with proper maintenance, it could run for over 200,000 to 300,000 kilometers—but that’s just the mechanical part. The real issue is ownership risk. I’ve seen too many friends buy mortgaged cars, only to have them towed away after a year or two, losing money and wasting time. My advice: check the loan status thoroughly before buying, aim to transfer the title as soon as possible, or just opt for a fully paid-off car for more security. That way, you can drive long-term with peace of mind. In short, a mortgaged car feels borrowed, not permanent—don’t expect to enjoy it forever.
As a car enthusiast, I believe a mortgaged car could technically last a lifetime mechanically, as engines and parts can endure decades with proper maintenance. But the key issue is ownership: when a car is mortgaged, the bank is the true owner. If the original debt runs into trouble, the car could be repossessed suddenly while you're happily driving it. I once drove a mortgaged car and constantly worried about it being towed away, which caused significant psychological stress. A car's lifespan depends on your driving habits and maintenance investments—like regular oil changes and tire checks—which can extend its use. However, ownership barriers make this impractical. Driving a mortgaged car feels far less secure than driving a fully owned, albeit older car. I recommend prioritizing loan resolution or selling it to buy a car with clean title ownership, ensuring both safety and longevity.
In principle, a mortgaged car can be driven for a long time, such as lasting beyond 150,000 kilometers with careful maintenance. However, driving it for a lifetime is not feasible because the car serves as collateral. If the debtor defaults, the creditor has the right to repossess the vehicle. This risk is too high—I've seen cases where the car was suddenly towed away while being driven. Owning such a car comes with the uncertainty of ownership, so it's better to repay the loan, transfer ownership, and secure full rights to the car to avoid sudden losses. For a safer choice, opting for a used car without any outstanding loans is more reliable.
