What Are Washington State Laws On Auto Repossession?

In Washington state, when the owner of a car is unable to uphold their end of the contract with the vehicle's seller, or lien holder, the seller may issue a ten-day stop delivery notice. If the issue remains unresolved after these ten days have passed, then the contract will default and the seller will be within their right to repossess the car. After the car is back in the seller's possession, they must arrange for a new buyer. When the car has been sold, its sale price must be reported to the first buyer, as that amount will be deducted from their debt to the seller.

The laws of the actual act of repossession of the vehicle are likewise uncomplicated and follow a logical understanding of crime versus justifiable action. First and foremost, the seller is not required to notify the buyer of this repossession. Their legal obligation to inform the buyer of their intent to repossess the vehicle was fulfilled when they delivered the ten-day notice. Secondly, the seller cannot take any illegal action while attempting to repossess the vehicle. This includes the use of physical force, acts of breaking and entering, and the utterance of abusive language. The seller cannot repossess the vehicle if it is being stored in the buyer's garage and they cannot demand that other cars be moved if the contested vehicle is blocked. Otherwise, the seller is free to take the car regardless of whether it is on private or public property.

If the buyer believes that the seller acted illegally and violated their rights, then they are encouraged to contact a consumer attorney, who will be able to inform them of their situation and any actions they might take.

Note that these laws are specific to Washington state. If you're reading this answer from anywhere else in the US, please be sure to research your own state's laws before you take any action as either a buyer or a seller.

Is it a crime to hide a vehicle from the bank when ive stoped paying payments in washington state

Your head is not in the right spot.  Focus your attention to the contractual agreement you signed.  Those are the terms your dealing with.  The lender is already licenced to lend in your state, even though they may be in florida.  Read.  Read that fine print.  When the repo man comes, trust me, he is taking your car and you can call the police all you want, the officer is going to look at the repo order that is valid and say I hope you have a bus ticket...Read the Contract.  When you done reading it, read it again.

If a bank accepts late payments for the vehicle  can they still repossess your vehicle?

Retrieval of personal property from a vehicles

After a bankruptcy and payments still being made on auto, can lender repossess auto because no reaffirmation was signed? Wouldn't the lender accepting payments be a reaffirmation?