Car Loan Glossary nu

In NU, what should I know about negative equity roll-in for car loans?

In Nunavut, as across Canada, rolling negative equity into a new car loan means the outstanding balance from your previous vehicle's shortfall - where you owed more than its trade-in value - is added directly to the principal of your new car loan. This practice immediately inflates your new loan amount, resulting in higher monthly payments and a significantly increased total interest cost over the loan's duration, a concern amplified by the elevated interest rate environment projected for 2025. Why this matters: you start your new vehicle ownership "upside down," meaning you owe more than the car is worth, making it challenging to sell or trade in the future without incurring further financial loss. This perpetuates a cycle of debt, limits your financial flexibility, and ultimately makes your new vehicle far more expensive than its sticker price. It is always advisable to pay down the negative equity separately if possible, or carefully evaluate less expensive vehicle options to mitigate this substantial financial burden.

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