Fresh Start
Life happens. We make it easy to get back on track.
Past credit trouble or a turn-down elsewhere: how the Fresh Start Finance Program works at Bud Clary Auburn CDJR, and how to start from home.
Fresh Start Finance Program
Bankruptcy Doesn't Have to Mean No Car.
Chapter 7 discharged, or a Chapter 13 plan still running? You can still shop on Auburn Way N. The difference is mostly paperwork, and our finance team will help you line it up before you make the drive.
What to bring depends on where your case is
| Your case | What a lender usually wants | Check with first |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter 7, discharge entered | Your case number and a copy of the discharge order. Per U.S. Courts, a Chapter 7 discharge usually comes 60 to 90 days past the first scheduled date of the creditors' meeting. | Our Auburn finance team |
| Chapter 7, not yet discharged | In most cases, the discharge itself. Speak with your attorney before you sign for any new credit. | Your bankruptcy attorney |
| Chapter 13, plan in progress | Written approval of the new debt from the trustee or the court. U.S. Courts advises Chapter 13 filers against new debt until they've consulted the trustee. | Your attorney and trustee |
| Chapter 13, plan finished | The discharge order that closed out your Chapter 13 | Our Auburn finance team |
This is general information, not legal advice. Questions about your own case belong with your attorney or trustee.
Chapter 13 in King County: the Western District's process
Washington has two federal bankruptcy districts, and King County, where our store sits, belongs to the Western District under 28 U.S.C. 128). Your case stays with whichever court you filed in, no matter where you buy. In the Western District, after your plan is confirmed, Local Bankruptcy Rule 3015-2 gives you a way to request, in writing, the Chapter 13 trustee's permission to finance a vehicle.
A trustee's yes means no separate court order. A no can still go to the court as a motion, which your attorney would bring. If the attorney or trustee's office needs details on the vehicle, our finance team can put the vehicle and its price in writing for them, and because lenders want the approval before they fund, it pays to start early.
Getting ready: five steps
Your attorney's advice comes first. These steps simply help a lender understand your full situation.
- Locate your court papersA finished case needs its discharge order; an open Chapter 13 needs written approval for the new debt. Your attorney can supply a copy of a missing discharge order.
- Check your credit reportsAll three are free at AnnualCreditReport.com. Make sure the accounts included in your case show up correctly. A bankruptcy can stay on your reports for up to 10 years from the date the case began (15 U.S.C. 1681c).
- List every source of incomeSelf-employment, benefits, part-time work and a pension can all be listed. Under Regulation B, part-time pay, pension income and public assistance can't be discounted for that reason alone, though the lender chooses how much to count.
- Borrow as little as you canPick a lower price, add cash down or trade in a vehicle; each one trims the loan. In a Chapter 13, expect the trustee to look hard at whether the new payment puts your plan at risk.
- Apply once you're ready to buyWhen auto lenders check your credit within the same 14 to 45 days, scoring generally lumps those checks into a single inquiry (CFPB), so keep your loan shopping inside a few weeks.
What a bankruptcy means to a lender
To a lender, the bankruptcy is one entry in a larger file. Per the CFPB, it also weighs your income and debts, the size of the loan, your down payment against the vehicle's value, and whether the vehicle is new or used.
No rule sets one waiting period after a discharge; each lender picks its own. Our Auburn finance team asks about your case up front, so the application lands with lenders willing to look at a bankruptcy on file. Approval isn't guaranteed.
Bankruptcy terms in plain English
| Term | Plain English |
|---|---|
| Discharge | The court order ending your personal liability for most debts in the case (U.S. Courts). Lenders typically ask to see it. |
| Trustee | The person appointed to administer your case. In Chapter 13, the trustee collects plan payments and needs to hear from you before you take on new debt. |
| Confirmation | The court's approval of a Chapter 13 repayment plan. In the Western District, it's the point after which you can send the trustee a written vehicle request. |
| Chapter 13 | A plan, typically three to five years long, for repaying creditors as you hold on to your property (U.S. Courts). |
| Reaffirmation agreement | Agreeing to stay on the hook for a debt, often an existing car loan, that Chapter 7 would otherwise wipe away. Decide it with your attorney. |
Customers on how we treated them
★★★★★1,900+ five-star Google reviewsRead our Google reviews for Bud Clary CDJR of Auburn
“...I felt stuck-especially with the challenge of less-than-perfect credit. But then I reached out to someone I knew I could count on: Darryl. From the very first call, Darryl listened, reassured me, and sprang into action.”
Dennis X., Google review, February 2025
“...First purchase 2 years into bankruptcy and they really came through for me.”
Rustel K., Bud Clary Subaru, Longview, Google review, January 2023
“...I was uneasy because I had a small budget and had a bankruptcy a few years ago, Travis was very optimistic and calmed my nerves!”
Charisse W., Bud Clary Ford, Longview, Google review, May 2025
Excerpts from 5-star Google reviews, quoted as written. Every buyer's situation is different, and lenders make every credit decision.
A vehicle that fits your plan
Choosing used keeps the loan smaller. On our Auburn lot, each used vehicle has cleared a 137-point inspection; you also get its CARFAX report free, limited warranty coverage for 3 months or 3,000 miles, a 3-day / 300-mile exchange, and oil changes and tire rotations free the first two times (rotations only for an electric vehicle).
Browse used vehicles under $20,000 or all used inventory. If the right one is sitting at another Bud Clary store, we can move it to Auburn Way N free of charge, as soon as the same day.
Related Fresh Start guides
First-time buyers
No credit isn't bad credit. It's a starting point.
Starting over after a bankruptcy can feel like a first car loan. What lenders weigh when there isn't much recent history to read.
What to bring to 2925 Auburn Way N
- The discharge order, or written approval from the trustee or court in an open Chapter 13
- Your case number plus your attorney's name and number
- Driver's license
- Recent pay stubs or benefit award letters, and 1099s or returns for self-employment income
- Proof of address, such as a utility bill or lease
- Insurance card or your agent's details
Have your case papers?
Take the bankruptcy quiz above, send the full credit application, or call (253) 833-2485 and ask for finance. We're open for sales until 8:00 PM Monday through Saturday.
Visit Bud Clary Auburn Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Bud Clary Auburn Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram2925 Auburn Wy N
Auburn, WA 98002
Sales
- Mon - Sat
- 8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
- Sunday
- 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Service
- Mon - Fri
- 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
- Saturday
- 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Sunday
- Closed
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy a car right after my Chapter 7 discharge?
You can apply once the discharge is entered; bring a copy of the order. Lenders set their own waiting periods, so there's no single rule on timing.
Should I wait for my Chapter 7 discharge before applying?
Talk to your bankruptcy attorney before anything else; whether to sign for credit during an open case is a question for them. Many lenders will also ask for the discharge order first.
Can I finance a car during Chapter 13 in King County?
Yes, with the trustee's OK. U.S. Courts advises Chapter 13 filers to consult the trustee before any new debt, and in the Western District, Local Rule 3015-2 sets out a written request process once the plan is confirmed.
How long after a bankruptcy will lenders ask about it?
Credit bureaus may keep reporting a bankruptcy for as long as 10 years after the case was filed, so lenders may ask about it however long it's been. Each lender decides how much weight to give it.
Do franchise dealers work with buyers after bankruptcy?
Bud Clary Auburn Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram does. Whether your Chapter 7 is discharged or your Chapter 13 plan is still running, we'll take your application and route it to lenders that consider bankruptcy files. No lender is bound to approve, and approval isn't guaranteed.
Should I sign a reaffirmation agreement on my car?
Reaffirming means you agree to keep paying a debt that the Chapter 7 discharge would otherwise cancel, often to keep the vehicle. That has lasting consequences, so decide it with your bankruptcy attorney.
Is the Fresh Start Finance Program connected to my bankruptcy?
No. Bankruptcy law speaks of a fresh start for debtors, but our program's name only describes how the Auburn finance team works with credit-challenged buyers. It plays no part in your case, and your attorney's advice still comes first.
Related pages
The Fresh Start Finance Program is Bud Clary Auburn Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram's name for how our finance team handles applications from buyers with bad credit, no credit or a past bankruptcy. Financing comes from outside lenders, which decide approval and terms, and approval isn't guaranteed. This page is general information, not legal advice. A negotiable documentary service fee of up to $200 may be added to the sale price.
