A repossession is when a lienholder seizes ownership of a vehicle for breach of a security agreement (usually non-payment of the loan) 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.Before you would make any payments, you would want to make sure that the plaintiff agrees to withdraw the complaint and files papers in court to withdraw it. While repossession does not involve a formal process in court, replevin consists of getting the court to order the consumer to return the vehicle to the lender. If you've fallen behind on car loan payments and fear that the lender might repossess the vehicle, should you hide your car from the repo man? When someone takes your property wrongly and refuses to give it back, you can file a replevin action. If you default on your car loan payments, the lender can take your car back through repossession or replevin. Learn the difference. The process of starting a replevin action usually begins with filing a complaint. The creditor must provide you with written notice of its intent to seek an order of replevin, and certain due process requirements apply.