The Repo Man Is Busier Than Ever

What It Covers

Vehicle repossessions hit 1.73 million in 2023, approaching Great Recession levels, as Americans struggle with high car prices, inflation, and stagnant wages. Reporter Scott Calvert rides along with Maryland repo men using license plate scanning technology.

Key Questions Answered

• •Subprime loan delinquency: Over 6% of subprime auto loans are now sixty-plus days overdue, a record high indicating lower-income Americans face mounting financial pressure from inflation and stagnant wages while prioritizing groceries over car payments.
• •Repo technology efficiency: Modern tow trucks scan approximately 21,000 license plates per night using automated cameras and laptop databases, cross-referencing each plate in real-time to locate target vehicles, transforming repossession from manual searching into data-driven hunting.
• •Industry economics: Repossession companies earn roughly $275 per vehicle, with drivers receiving $75-90 commission, making volume critical in this low-margin business that requires significant overhead for insurance, fuel, and equipment maintenance across twelve-hour shifts.
• •Safety protocols: Repo agents operate primarily at night to avoid confrontation, immediately leave if situations escalate, and rely on de-escalation skills, as at least 10 agents nationwide were killed on duty in recent years, with gun violence remaining an occupational hazard.