Can I legally take my stereo after my car got repossessed? 21 Answers as of March 05, 2012

The car I have been making payments on got repossessed as I missed one payment. I have my own stereo with a set of speakers and amplifiers. I still have the original radio that came with the car. Can I legally take my stereo, amplifiers and speakers back?

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Cynthia Henley, Lawyer | Cynthia Henley

I would not just go and take the property. Talk with the company and if you cannot get help, try talking to the police (who won't want to get involved probably.) Take photos and tell the company you plan to sue.

Answer Applies to: Texas

Replied: 3/5/2012

Thomas J. Tomko Attorney At law | Thomas J. Tomko

In theory, yes you could. However, it is a question of practical. You will likely not be allowed access to the vehicle to take the radio out. However, if you are allowed, then yes you could.

Answer Applies to: Michigan

Replied: 2/13/2012

John V Commons, Attorney at Law | John Commons

Yes but you will have to reinstall the original radio and will be responsible for any damages to the vehicle that changing back and forth has caused.

Answer Applies to: Indiana

Replied: 2/13/2012

Lacy Fields, Attorney at Law, LLC | Lacy Fields

I suspect you could replace your new speakers/stereo with the original manufacturer's speakers/stereo if you still have them. You can't just rip out the new stereo equipment or it will decrease the value of the car. You will get in trouble for that. Also, you could be in trouble for trespassing and/or property damage if you simply show up and attempt to begin making the changes.

Answer Applies to: Missouri

Replied: 2/13/2012

Palumbo and Kosofsky | Michael Palumbo

Maybe. However, rather than be so dramatic and "take" your stuff back, the more prudent thing to do would be to call the repo company arrange for a pick-up, and if they refuse sue them in small claims court.

Answer Applies to: New York

Replied: 2/13/2012

Law Office of Michael E. Hendrickson | Michael E. Hendrickson

Without the permission of the repossessor or lender (or whoever is authorized), it likely would be a good way to get yourself arrested.

Answer Applies to: Virginia

Replied: 2/13/2012

Law Office of Phillip Weiser | Phillip L. Weiser

If you installed it in the car, then it becomes a part of the car and you will lose it to the repossession.

Answer Applies to: Kansas

Replied: 2/13/2012

Law Office of Richard Williams | Richard Williams

You can't go and just remove them from the car. It may take a court order for you to get the speakers.

Answer Applies to: Alabama

Replied: 2/13/2012

Robert Valles and Associates P.C. | Robert Valles Jr.

No, its not your property anymore.

Answer Applies to: Texas

Replied: 2/13/2012

Law Office of Peter F. Goldscheider | Peter Goldscheider

You will have to do so with the permission of the two yard or other possessor of the vehicle. Otherwise you might be committing a crime of trespass or otherwise accused of doing damage to the vehicle.

Answer Applies to: California

Replied: 2/13/2012

Michael Breczinski | Michael Breczinski

I would talk to the company and let them know the situation. Do not just go and swap them.

Answer Applies to: Michigan

Replied: 2/13/2012

Lawrence Lewis | Lawrence Lewis, PC

I would assume yes, as long as you put the original radio and speakers in the vehicle.

Answer Applies to: Georgia

Replied: 2/13/2012

Timothy J. Thill P.C. | Timothy J. Thill

How do you plan on reclaiming them? Are you going to make a request of the repo yard/dealer for the return, and offer to pay for the re-installation of the original sound system? If so, go for it, just do not take it upon yourself in the dark of night to break into the vehicle, while it is the possession of a lender/lawful owner of said vehicle, you might get charged with burglary and that is no fun to defend, if you know what I mean.

Answer Applies to: Illinois

Replied: 2/13/2012

The Law Offices of Laura A. Walker | Laura A. Walker

Yes they belong to you but you should work through the company that holds the note to work out arrangements to get the stereo back.

Answer Applies to: Wisconsin

Replied: 2/13/2012

Law Offices of John Carney | John Carney

When you make additions to property that are "fixtures" and that property is foreclosed or repossessed it becomes the property of the lien holder. If you try to take any property back you will be arrested and if they sue you in small claims you will lose and owe them legal fees. You should have used the money you spent on the stereo to make the car payments.

Answer Applies to: New York

Replied: 2/13/2012

Law office of Robert D. Scott | Robert Scott

I suggest that you contact the dealer and try to arrange to return the original stereo equipment in exchange for the equipment that you put in the vehicle. If they refuse you may have a basis for a civil claim. However, it may be offset by any baloance that you owe on the vehicle.

Answer Applies to: Maryland

Replied: 2/13/2012

Law Office of Eric Sterkenburg | Eric Sterkenburg

If your car is repossessed it is only the car and not your personal property. You have the right to retrieve any of your personal property from the car at the place that it was taken. This retrieval should include your stereo and speakers. However, you should be prepared to reinstall the original stereo and make the car in the same condition as it was when you bought it.

Answer Applies to: California

Replied: 2/13/2012

Law Office of Daniel K Martin | Daniel K Martin

You can take it if the repo man lets you. The odds are that you may have to use force to get it back. I would caution you against doing that because you could be held criminally and civily responsible if you use too much force. The best thing to do would be to remove the stereo before they come for it.

Answer Applies to: California

Replied: 2/13/2012

Mark Thiessen, Attorney at Law | Mark Thiessen

That's a tricky situation. You can if no one knows, but most likely going to have to work that out with the owner of the title.

Answer Applies to: Texas

Replied: 2/13/2012

Gutin and Wolverton | Harley Gutin

I don't think so unless they gave you permission. They now have possession of the car. So you would probably be trespassing if you went on their property to commit a crime and if you committed the taking without their permission or a court order (which probably wouldn't be worth your time) you would be committing a Third Degree Burglary to a conveyance.

Answer Applies to: Florida

Replied: 2/13/2012