Find the best financial services for you at: SMARTFINANCESOLUTIONS.NET - Can i file bankruptsy and still trade my car in? - So im planning on filing bankruptcy the beginning of the new year for past bills i was left and stuck with. I do not plan on adding my car on that list though. i still owe 5000 on it and of course want to keep it. im wondering how long after i file can i trade it in for a newer one though? it used to be that u had to wait 7yrs to get anything afterwards but its no longer like that anymore.