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. You typically file a complaint asking for return of the property and also file an affidavit that you are entitled to possession.If you default on your car loan payments, the lender can take your car back through repossession or replevin. Learn the difference. If the collection agency has obtained the lien, it is their car, and they can do as they wish within the limits of the original contract. If a car loan lender can't repossess a vehicle, it will probably get possession of the car through a process called "replevin." The sheriff has to do this. Yes, your car can be repossessed any time you stop making payments as agreed to in the original contract. If you cannot repossess it peacefully, a legal remedy called a replevin may be your best recourse. If you cannot find the requested property when you are on the premises, then you cannot repossess it.