They can repossess after being three days late legally but most wait a week or so when the lien holder is also the used car lot that sold it to you. The larger firms wait one month and hound the hell out of you before they do.

It depends on the lender, the one i have has a no tolerance, not even a day late, the bigger lenders like gmac, ford,etc, will usually strt repo when you are 90 days late.

Usually at least 2 payments behind, but it depends on who holds the loan.

Also, usually the lending institution is more than willing to work with you, IF you keep in contact with them, let them know what's going on, and why you haven't made the payments. However, if your payments have been delinquent all along, and THEN you have missed 2, then they see the loan as a problem, even getting you to make a payment, and they may not be willing to help you.

As a lienholder they only have to wait until Midnight the day your payment was due. Contractually, they lent money for a car loan, and are not required to "wait" for their money. After all, you have the car and didn't have to wait for it. They don't have to tell you they are repossessing the vehicle and most (if they are smart) don't inform you. If they tell you that they are coming for your car, are you going to wait around for them?

Thank you realistic. Contact is the key, I will remember that.

Thanks for the award!