How does cosigning affect your credit rating?

Answer 1

As a person who co-signed an auto loan for someone who consistently made late payments, accrued late fees, and eventually filed bankruptcy . . . I can truly tell you that if You co-sign an auto loan and the person doesn't make the payments it can really screw your credit up. However, if that person is making the payments timely without any problems - then I'd say it won't necessarily hurt your credit. But at the same time it won't necessarily help it either. If I were you I wouldn't do it. Believe me if I could go back - I wouldn't do it. A cosigner is only needed because the primary doesn't have adequate credit rating/history for the needed loan. Hence, the cosigner needs to have credit good enough to qualify for the loan, presumably good, at least betterr than the primary! (Credit scores are not combined or added to get to the needed level). Understand, being a cosigner is essentially the exact same as getting a loan - the cosigner is just as liable as if he got the loan on his own..in fact needs to be more responsible, because he now has to take on the obligations of the primary too, if needed, likely without the control/posession/benefit of what was purchased. A cosigner is only needed because the primary doesn't have adequate credit rating/history for the needed loan. Hence, the cosigner needs to have credit good enough to qualify for the loan, presumably good, at least betterr than the primary! (Credit scores are not combined or added to get to the needed level). Understand, being a cosigner is essentially the exact same as getting a loan - the cosigner is just as liable as if he got the loan on his own..in fact needs to be more responsible, because he now has to take on the obligations of the primary too, if needed, likely without the control/posession/benefit of what was purchased.