They took the car. If the auction beat your balance, they owe you.
Federal commercial law adopted in every state is blunt: after a repossession sale, the lender "shall account to and pay a debtor for any surplus." Lenders rarely volunteer it. We make them.
How repo surpluses happen
A repossession sale pays the loan balance and reasonable repo costs first. When the auction clears more — common on trucks, late-loan repos, and vehicles bought with real down payments — the difference must be returned to you.
Unlike home surpluses, no county holds this money. The lender does. Your rights are a written accounting on request (§ 9-616), the surplus itself (§ 9-615(d)), and statutory damages when a lender fails its obligations (§ 9-625).
Read the full guide- Auction sale price
- $19,000
- Loan balance + repo costs
- − $14,600
- Surplus the lender owes you
- $4,400
Illustration — the lender’s own § 9-616 accounting is the document that proves a real surplus.
Demand the accounting
Lenders only have to show the math on request. We request it in the statute’s language, which changes how carefully they answer.
Challenge padded costs
Only commercially reasonable costs come off the top. Inflated fees and below-market insider sales are challengeable.
Escalate with teeth
Ignored demands meet § 9-625 statutory damages and, where needed, court. Most lenders settle the moment it is clear you know the rule.
Cars & trucks recovery — questions answered
How do I know what my repossessed car sold for?
You are entitled to a written post-sale accounting under UCC § 9-616 — sale price, balance, costs, and the surplus or deficiency. We demand it for you as step one.
The repo was two years ago — too late?
Usually not. UCC/contract claims typically carry multi-year statutes of limitations. The check is free and fast either way.
Does this work for motorcycles and commercial trucks?
Yes — any financed vehicle repossessed and sold under Article 9 follows the same surplus rule.
Find out in minutes if money is waiting for you.
The check costs nothing and there is no obligation. Tell us what you lost — we search the records and tell you the truth about what we find.