Can You Buy a Car With a Debit Card?

Whether you are trading in an old vehicle or simply buying a new one outright, you may want to pay with a debit card. Doing so can be a convenient way to avoid interest charges when financing. It’s also safer than walking into the dealership with a briefcase full of cash.

This article will cover the question of whether you can buy a car with a debit card. We’ll also go over what you need to know when paying with a debit card.

The short answer is, yes. You can buy a car with a debit card. However, most car dealerships won’t accept debit cards as payment.

Whether you want to use a bank card or a prepaid debit card, the same principle applies. For car dealers, there are fees that come with debit card payments that are often too steep to justify.

If the dealer were to swipe your debit card, they would be subject to swipe fees of three to four percent. Depending on the sale price, that could mean several hundred dollars in fees. The net profit margin on new car sales can be as low as one percent, so the dealer could actually lose money on the sale if they accept debit cards.

You may have heard that dealers make most of their money from service and repairs, and there is a lot of truth to this idea. Dealerships often take a loss on a deal for many reasons, including clearing inventory. Indeed, where dealers make most of their money is dealer financing, warranties, and repairs.

Plus, debit card payments can carry added risks. Dealers tend to be leery of paying this way because of the chance of debit or credit card fraud. For example, you could dispute the sale after the fact, citing any number of issues with the car.

Even if your concern is legitimate, a successful dispute could again lead to the dealer losing money on the ordeal. This all adds up to yet another reason most dealerships won’t accept debit cards as payment.

Did the dealership give you the go-ahead to buy your vehicle with a debit card? If so, here’s what you need to know.

Your card might have a daily spending limit, meaning the debit card transaction might be declined if you try to spend above that limit. Of course, when purchasing a car, there is a high chance of exceeding that limit. Most banks have a limit of $2,000 to $7,000 per day.

However, it might be possible to increase the limit. Banks set these limits to prevent theft if your card is stolen. Thus, they will likely increase the limit if you call in advance and let them know about your upcoming car purchase.

It might seem like a no-brainer, but you need enough cash in your account when paying cash for your new car. And remember that the sticker price isn’t the only thing you have to pay for when making car purchases. There are also registration fees and taxes to cover. That means the exact amount you pay might be higher than you initially expect.

While some people prefer to pay cash when buying cars, debit cards aren’t always an option. When making such a large purchase, you might have to consider other options. Here are some alternative ways you can pay instead.

If the car dealer doesn’t accept your debit card, you can pay with a bank account instead. You can do this by arranging a bank transfer from your bank or credit union. These transactions usually take two to three business days.

Another option is to get a cashier’s check from your bank to pay for the car. The dealer knows these checks won’t bounce; plus, you avoid the possibility of having a hold on your account. That could happen if you pay with a personal check.

A money order is an alternative to a cashier’s check, but you can pick one up at many places, like Western Union or a grocery store. Money orders can be made out to cover the exact cost of the vehicle, then bring it to the dealership.

If you are buying at a dealer, one option is to pay via wire transfer. Keep in mind that there are usually fees to wire money; expect to pay between $15 and $30 for domestic wire transfers. This option is best for dealer purchases as private sellers may not be willing to give you their information for a wire.

Unfortunately, not all dealers accept debit card payments. Most dealers don’t have the profit margin to justify the fees that come with a debit card. The good news is that whether you are paying cash for a down payment or the entire cost of the car, there are alternatives to using a debit card.

For example, a bank transfer, prepaid card, or wire transfer could be possible ways to cover the cost of your new car. Just be sure to contact your bank and let them know about the upcoming purchase and that you have enough cash in your bank account. All of these steps will help ensure there are no issues when you are at the dealer and help the process go as smoothly as possible.