How long does a repossession stay on your credit?

A repossession stays on a credit report for seven years from the date of the first missed payment which led to the repossession, according to the credit bureau Experian. The term "repossession" is shown as the status on the credit report until it is deleted.

Once the item is repossessed, the lender sells it in order to recoup the debt remaining, and the individual can be held responsible for any amount that is not recovered, according to Experian. The lender may then either sue for the remainder or send it to collections. The collection account also appears on the credit report for seven years from the original delinquency date.