Repossession Laws in Mississippi
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In Mississippi, your car can be repossessed after just one missed payment, and lenders don’t have to give you any advance notice before taking it. Repo agents can legally take your car from public areas or your driveway, as long as they don’t breach the peace or damage property. After repossession, the lender must give you at least 10 days' notice before selling the car, and you may still owe money if the sale doesn't cover your full loan balance and fees.
Written by Upsolve Team.
Updated November 7, 2025
How Many Payments Can I Miss Without Risking a Repossession in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, a lender can legally repossess your car after just one missed payment, unless your loan agreement says otherwise. When you take out a car loan, the lender uses your car as collateral. That means missing even a single payment can count as a default and trigger repossession.
That said, repossession usually doesn’t happen overnight. It costs lenders time and money, so they may try to contact you first or give you a little time to catch up on payments. But they’re not required to give you any official notice before they take action. That’s why it’s important to act quickly if you’ve missed a payment.
Will I Be Notified Before the Repossession? How?
In Mississippi, lenders don’t have to give advance notice before repossessing your car. Some may choose to send a reminder or a default notice, but the law doesn’t require it.
Because of this, a repossession can happen without warning — sometimes overnight or while you’re at work.
How Can I Prevent a Repossession?
If you’re behind on your car loan, you still have options to avoid repossession. Some lenders offer forbearance, which temporarily pauses or lowers your payments to give you time to catch up. You can also ask about payment plans or other loan modifications.
If keeping the car isn’t realistic, voluntarily surrendering it might be the better route. This won’t erase the debt, but it may reduce repossession costs and make the balance you owe more manageable.
💡 If you're behind on your car loan and also struggling with credit cards, medical bills, or other debts, filing for bankruptcy may help. It can temporarily stop repossession and other collection efforts through something called the automatic stay. This protection begins as soon as you file and puts a pause on things like repossession and collection calls while the court reviews your case.
Many people in this situation use Chapter 7 bankruptcy to erase their car loan and other debts entirely. Upsolve offers a free filing tool to walk you through the process without hiring a lawyer.
What Can Repo Companies in Mississippi Do?
In Mississippi, lenders can repossess a car without going to court. This is called a self-help repossession.
A repo agent can take your car from your driveway, a public street, a parking lot, or a garage, as long as they don’t break the law or disturb the peace while doing it.
Even though lenders have this right, you still have legal protections. Repo agents can’t enter a locked garage, break gates or doors, or use force to take the car. They also can’t threaten you, damage property, or act violently during the repossession.
⚠️ It’s also important not to physically block the repossession or get into a confrontation. If things escalate, you could face legal trouble yourself.
What About the Personal Property in My Car?
The lender only has a claim to the car itself, not your personal belongings inside it. After a repossession, you have the right to get your things back.
Call the lender or the repo company to find out where your car is and how to recover your items. If you think repossession is likely, it’s a good idea to remove anything valuable or important ahead of time to save yourself the hassle of tracking down your belongings later.
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What Happens After a Repossession in Mississippi?
After repossessing your car, the lender will usually sell it to recover some of what you owe. This could happen through a private sale or a public auction.
📃 Lenders are required to send you a written notice at least 10 days before the sale. This notice must include the date, time, and place of the sale (or the earliest date a private sale might happen).
The lender must sell the car in a commercially reasonable way. That means they must try to get a fair market price and follow standard business practices. If the car is sold at auction, you have the right to attend and even bid on the car yourself.
In some cases, a lender may decide to keep the car instead of selling it. But to do this, you must agree in writing, or not object after they send you notice. If you’ve paid more than 60% of the loan, they must sell the car within 90 days.
Do I Still Owe After a Repossession in Mississippi?
Repossessing the car doesn’t cancel your loan. If the sale doesn’t cover the full amount you owe — plus fees like towing, storage, or auction costs — you may still owe the rest. This is called a deficiency balance.
The lender should send you a notice that outlines what you still owe, including any repossession-related charges.
If you can’t afford the remaining balance, the lender might take you to court. If they win a judgment, they could try to collect the money by garnishing your wages or using other collection methods.
👉 Many people in this situation explore Chapter 7 bankruptcy to wipe out the deficiency balance and get a fresh start. If you're curious about whether this option might work for you, Upsolve's free filing tool can help you get started.
Can I Get My Car Back After a Repossession in Mississippi?
You do have a chance to get your car back after a repossession. This is sometimes called the right of redemption, and it lasts until the lender sells your car or decides to keep it instead of collecting payment.
To get the car back, you’ll need to pay everything you owe on the loan, not just the past-due amount. This usually includes the remaining loan balance, plus repossession costs like towing, storage, and any attorney fees. It might also include insurance and other penalties.
That said, many people in this situation don’t have the money to redeem the car. If you’re not sure what your best next step is, consider setting up a free consultation with a bankruptcy attorney. They can help you understand your options based on your specific situation.
Where Can I Find More Information About Repossession Laws in Mississippi?
The following local resources may help if you’re facing repossession in Mississippi:
Mississippi Center for Legal Services: article on repossession and free civil legal assistance to low-income people in Mississippi
North Mississippi Rural Legal Services: free civil representation to low-income folks in the northern 39 counties of Mississippi
Mississippi Free Legal Answers: virtual legal advice clinic sponsored by the American Bar Association
Mississippi Code on Repossession Title 75, Chapter 9 (secured transactions), Mississippi’s Uniform Commercial Code
