The lender or leaseholder can repossess the car even if you are only a few weeks behind in your payments and even without any notice to you. File a complaint: Vehicle lease or purchase.Choose the category that best fits your purpose:. This article covers how vehicle repossession works in New York state and what your rights are as a New Yorker. If you don't make your car payments on time, your lender might have the right to take your car without going to court or telling you first. Complete this form and bring it with the license plates, if any, to any Motor Vehicles office. Repossession is a self-help remedy available to creditors that allows them to take possession of the car; the creditor doesn't have to sue you first. Sit down and document everything that was left in the car. In order for a lender to repossess, or take back, the property: (1) it must be collateral for the loan and (2) you must have defaulted on your contract. If you fall behind on your loan payments and can't keep up with them, you should contact your lender to talk about your options.