In NL, what should I know about negative equity roll-in for car loans?
In Newfoundland and Labrador, rolling negative equity into a new car loan means the outstanding balance from your previous vehicle, which exceeds its trade-in value, is added directly to the principal of your new car loan. This practice significantly inflates the new loan's total amount, leading to higher monthly payments and a substantially greater total interest paid over the loan term, a particularly critical consideration in the 2025 market with elevated interest rates and cost of living pressures across Canada. For consumers, this matters immensely because it effectively finances a depreciating asset's shortfall with a new loan, potentially placing you in an immediate negative equity position on your *new* vehicle, making future trade-ins or sales more challenging without incurring further financial losses. While permitted under Canadian lending practices, it's crucial for NL residents to understand this can perpetuate a cycle of debt. To mitigate this, consider paying down the negative equity out-of-pocket, exploring private sale options for your current vehicle to maximize its value, or waiting until you achieve positive equity before trading in, always ensuring you meticulously review all loan terms before committing.