Cover - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Mar. 03, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Annual Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity File Number	001-14116
Entity Registrant Name	CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000889609
Entity Tax Identification Number	33-0459135
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	CA
Entity Address, Address Line One	3800 Howard Hughes Pkwy
Entity Address, City or Town	Las Vegas
Entity Address, State or Province	NV
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	89169
City Area Code	949
Local Phone Number	753-6800
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, no par value
Trading Symbol	CPSS
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 46,097,927
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		22,763,433
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	false