Top 5 Shocking Revelations About Car Dealerships Disabling Vehicles for Late Payments
Car Dealerships and Auto Lenders Can Remotely Disable Vehicles for Non-Payment
TikTokers were stunned by a video showing a driver stranded after a dealership remotely disabled her car in response to a missed payment. The clip, posted by Legacyyy, went viral as she expressed her frustration with the dealership for cutting off her car while she was at the gym, leaving her stranded. She questioned her decision to have a car from a lender that would disable it for being less than a week behind on payments.
Remote Car Disabling: A Dystopian Reality
According to expert Poe, car dealerships have the ability to remotely disable a vehicle using devices like starter interrupters or GPS trackers. When a payment is missed, the dealership can remotely shut off the car until the payment is made. The practice is not uncommon, as some dealerships sell newer models with this feature, adding a sense of control over the vehicles they finance.
Dealerships’ Warning Before Vehicle Shut Off
A CBS News piece highlighted that dealerships may provide warnings or notices before remotely disabling a vehicle for late payments. This ensures that customers are aware of the consequences of falling behind on payments and gives them a chance to rectify the situation before their car is shut off remotely.
“Buy Here Pay Here” Lots and Remote Disabling
A Quora post shed light on the fact that “Buy Here Pay Here” lots often install remote disabling devices on vehicles to ensure that customers make timely payments. These high-risk lenders use these devices to immobilize vehicles and track their locations if payments are not made on time.
Consumer Reactions to Remote Car Disabling
In response to Legacyyy’s video, some commenters lacked sympathy, suggesting she should improve her credit to avoid dealing with lenders who engage in remote disabling practices. Others expressed surprise at such practices and questioned the necessity of purchasing vehicles that allow dealerships to remotely disable them. This revelation has led many to carefully review their finance agreements before purchasing a vehicle to avoid falling victim to remote car disabling.