If your budget isn’t ready for a blown tire, busted hose, or broken transmission, then you may want to consider one of the best credit cards for auto repairs. These cards offer an extended period of interest-free financing to help you pay for your repairs over time without overpaying for the privilege.
And, depending on the card you choose, your repair bill may just earn you a cash signup bonus that will help bring down the overall cost of your repairs.
Best Credit Cards for Auto Repairs with 0% Financing
According to studies, the average car repair bill runs between $500 and $600 — and 1 in 3 consumers can’t cover that tab without incurring debt.
If there’s a silver lining in this dark cloud, it’s that you may qualify for interest-free financing with one of the cards listed below. And, if your repair bill meets the average cost, you could also instantly qualify for a signup bonus that puts a little cash back in your pocket.
- INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
- Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
- After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months
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0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months
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20.49% - 29.24% Variable
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$0
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Good/Excellent
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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card regularly offers new cardholders interest-free financing for term lengths that typically top the charts. After 0% introductory period, your card will revert to a competitive ongoing interest rate, based on creditworthiness.
You’ll also earn cash back on all purchases and a one-time signup bonus after you meet the minimum spending requirement in the first three months after receiving the card.
This card is currently not available. Additional Disclosure: The information related to Chase Freedom Flex℠ credit card has been collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.2. Chase Freedom Flex℠
New Chase Freedom Flex℠ cardholders can take advantage of interest-free financing through regular promotions that offer varying lengths of introductory 0% APR. After that, your card will revert to a variable APR — but you’ll still earn bonus cash back on quarterly rotating categories and a nice bonus after you spend a certain amount on purchases in your first three months with the card.
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is one of the issuer’s most popular cards — mostly because of the catchy “What’s in your wallet” commercials and the unlimited cash back offered on every purchase. New cardholders also receive an extended 0% APR offer on new purchases and balance transfers, followed by a variable APR based on creditworthiness.
You’ll also earn a one-time cash bonus after meeting a specified minimum spending threshold within three months of opening your account.
After a long day of fretting over car repair bills, you deserve a nice meal. With the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, you can take advantage of interest-free financing for over a year and still earn an unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, and grocery stores plus 1% on all other purchases. And you won’t have to pay an annual fee to add this card to your wallet.
The Discover it® Cash Back card is one of our top card recommendations because of its amazing cash back potential in rotating bonus categories each quarter. There are terms that will apply, so please see card page for further details on reward earning potential.
A welcome bonus also offers you great introductory APR terms for new cardholders. The regular APR will apply when your introductory period ends.
Most people just want to get back on the road when their car is in the shop. With the Discover it® Miles card, you can do just that — while earning miles that can help pay for your next vacation. This card offers a competitive rewards miles program, as well as a regularly offered introductory APR financing on new purchases for a set period, followed by a competitive ongoing APR that is based on creditworthiness.
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card charges no annual fee or foreign transaction fee and pays out bonus miles when you meet the minimum spending threshold within three months of card activation. Interest-free financing on new purchases also covers your first several months with the card, with an ongoing variable APR after that.
Can You Finance Car Repairs?
In today’s tech-driven financial world, you can finance just about anything. While many auto mechanics offer their own financing, it often comes with high interest charges or very few perks.
With one of the credit cards listed above, you could potentially obtain interest-free financing for a set period of time, while also accruing cash back or travel rewards and possibly earning a signup bonus that could pay for part of your repair bill.
Some online lending marketplaces also specialize in short-term personal loans to cover auto repair bills. These marketplaces partner with several different lenders and submit your single prequalifying application to all of them, which can return multiple loan offers — each with varying terms and conditions — in a matter of minutes.
Most lenders can take you from application to funding within 24 hours, which can help you get the repairs you need sooner.
While you may not want to pay that auto repair bill, you at least have options to finance the unexpected expense. The path you choose will depend greatly on your credit history and current income.
But, in almost every case, you’re best served by choosing the path that can reward you for your spending. That means a good rewards credit card that offers interest-free financing during an introductory period.
Before you choose a card, make sure you know how long the introductory period lasts. Card issuers change their welcome offers regularly. You may see the same card with a 15-month 0% introductory period on one website and see it offered with 12 months on another website. The offer you sign up for is the one you receive.
Do Dealerships Offer Financing for Repairs?
Many people think dealerships only provide loans to purchase cars. But, as their service departments have become popular destinations for car repairs, many have added loan options to cover those expenses.
As with the loans to purchase a vehicle, most dealership lending options take place through a third-party company that provides application options in person or through the dealer’s website. In most cases, you can apply for a loan and get a decision within minutes. If approved, the dealer will likely start the repair process at the earliest available time.
Before you pull the trigger on that application, though, consider the differences between using a dealer versus an independent mechanic. Both have their pros and cons.
Dealers often charge far more for repairs than independent mechanics do.
A dealer offers parts and services built and backed by your car’s manufacturer. The dealer also has higher overhead costs and typically charges much more than an independent mechanic.
An independent mechanic has a smaller business and can provide after-market or off-brand parts that often cost less than the original manufacturer parts used at a dealer. That said, these mechanics often have to order the parts, which can take time.
Because these mechanics aren’t affiliated with your car dealer, you may not get as much of a warranty on the work — although many independent mechanics now offer substantial warranties on the parts and labor they put into your car.
Whichever route you choose, a dealer and auto manufacturer cannot refuse you service under your car’s warranty if you have routine maintenance done on your car outside of the dealership. That’s important to remember if your car repairs aren’t major.
What if I Can’t Afford to Fix My Car?
Studies show that 1 in 3 consumers aren’t financially prepared to pay for an unexpected car repair bill. While we often hear that we should create an emergency fund for such expenses, that isn’t always possible for everyone.
If you’re facing a steep repair bill and don’t have the money to pay for it immediately, you have several options:
- Use a credit card: With the cards listed above, you can obtain interest-free financing for a set period, while also earning cash back or travel rewards, and, potentially, earn a cash signup bonus.
- Negotiate with your mechanic: Many mechanics offer discounts or deals on certain services or parts. You won’t know until you ask. Sometimes, a little negotiation can lower your bill and make it more manageable.
- Talk to several mechanics: Just about every city or town has multiple mechanics to choose from. Don’t feel obligated to work with the first person you talk to. Shop around and see if the competition between auto repair businesses can net you a better price.
- Talk to someone you know who is handy with a car: If you simply can’t pay the parts and labor costs at a dealer or independent mechanic, see if you can find someone experienced in car mechanics who can do the repairs during his or her free time. You may get your work done for a substantially lower cost.
- Borrow money or sell personal items: If the above options don’t work for you, a friend or family member may be your best option. See if someone you know can offer you a short-term loan to cover your repair costs. If that doesn’t work, see if you can sell any items of value that can provide enough funding to cover the bill.
If you strike out on all the above options, you can always consider public transportation until you save up enough to pay for your repair bill. Most cities and towns offer bus or rail options to get you to and from work, school, or wherever you need to go.
The Right Card Can Make Up for the Hassle
Unexpected car repairs can ruin your day (or week), empty your wallet, and leave you mentally drained. But when you use one of the best credit cards for auto repairs, you can finance your repairs at 0% interest, which can help you pay off your repairs over time.
And, in many cases, you may just earn rewards for the headache your car put you through. This can help reduce the total cost of the repairs or you can save your cash back rewards for the next time your car acts up.
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