"Trust in Pfando, too," ex-professional soccer player Lothar Matthäus urged television viewers in commercials.
A ruling by the Federal Court of Justice casts doubt on whether this was always such a good idea.
The nationwide pawnbroker Pfando advertises with the slogan "Get cash immediately and stay mobile" or "Cash immediately & drive on" for lending on one's own vehicle.
The highest German civil court has now ruled in at least one case that Pfando cheated a customer with its "cash & drive" business model and had to pay damages.
The BGH thus confirmed a judgment of a higher regional court on Wednesday, which had seen it as a "usury-like legal transaction".
In three other cases, the competent Higher Regional Court must now examine this.
On the other hand, there is no violation of the trade regulations.
(Az. VIII ZR 221/21 and others)
In all four cases, people in need of money actually sold their car to Pfando for the required amount, and always below value.
At the same time, they rented the vehicle back for six months.
A release in the event that the customer should come back to money, was - unlike in the classic pawn shop - not intended.
Instead, the car should always be auctioned publicly and the original owner should be allowed to participate in the auction.
However, any additional proceeds should only accrue to third-party buyers.
In the case that has now been finally decided, a customer had sold his BMW worth almost 14,000 euros for 5,000 euros and then rented it back for a total of around 4,500 euros.
In view of this "particularly gross disproportion" "a reprehensible attitude on the part of the defendants is suspected", the BGH ruled.