Unfortunately, the car not working or suffering a mechanical breakdown is not a defense or legal reason to excuse making timely payments to the company financing your car purchase. If you miss a payment, under most financing contracts, and Texas law, the finance company may repossess your vehicle. One day late is sufficient to justify a repossession although most companies will wait longer before repossessing. The repossession must be conducted without force, cannot involve entry into a building and may not breach the peace. Unless you have an agreement with your finance company, preferably in writing, about postponing payments due to repairs, payments need to be kept up and timely in order to avoid repossession.