If you are financing the purchase of your vehicle, finance companies generally have the right to repossess your vehicle without warning if you are behind on your payments. However, in most cases you have the right to get your vehicle back by getting caught up in payments and paying repossession costs. You also have the right to get your vehicle back by paying off the entire balance.

If you do not get your vehicle back, the finance company will usually sell your vehicle at auction for a minimal price and charge you the difference between the loan balance and the auction price, plus various fees. This is called the deficiency. However, if the finance company does not provide you with a notice of the sale which complies with California law, you owe no deficiency.