You’ll need money for a down payment, which is a portion of the total price of the automobile that you pay up front, if you’re looking to buy a new or used car.
A personal check, cashier’s check, or actual cash can be used to make down payments. Some dealerships also accept credit card payments.
But just because you can pay for a down payment using a credit card, doesn’t mean you should. The benefits and drawbacks of using your credit card to pay a down payment will be discussed in this article.
Financial Perils of Making a Down Payment With Your Credit Card
Credit card payments are being accepted by more and more auto dealers. However, due to the possible hazards, using a credit card to finance a vehicle purchase is typically not a wise option. Consider the following considerations before using your credit card as a down payment for a car.
Interest rates on credit cards will be higher for you.
You pay interest on your balance each time you make a transaction with a credit card. If your credit score is over 670, you can anticipate paying an interest rate on your credit card of 20% to 22%.
In light of this, you ought to only use a credit card for a down payment on an automobile if you can settle the balance in full prior to the subsequent due date. Using your credit card as a down payment might not be the ideal choice if you are unable to pay the bill in full.
You can lose negotiating leverage.
When you pay for a car using a credit card, the dealership might not be open to haggling over the price. When clients use their credit card to purchase a car, dealerships must pay credit card transaction fees, which comes out of their own cash.
In order to prevent this, think about haggling with the dealer before telling them you’ll be using a credit card so you can work on getting the greatest bargain. You can choose if it’s worthwhile to use your credit card for the down payment after you and the finance manager agree on a price.
Your credit rating can suffer.
Find out how much credit you have available before swiping your card at the vehicle shop. Your credit utilization rate can exceed the advised 30% if you use your credit card for a down payment.
You might anticipate a decline in your credit score if that occurs. Additionally, there can be additional fees if you use your card to the fullest extent possible.
Benefits of Down Payments with Credit Cards
Experts often advise against using a credit card as a down payment. Only if you will receive rewards or any other advantage from your credit card provider is this choice worthwhile. The financial risks may be worthwhile for some advantages, such as:
Low Opening Interest Rates
You might be able to open a new account with a 0% interest rate as an introductory offer depending on the credit card you currently have with the firm. That is a tempting approach to spread out the expense of your down payment over the APR period.
However, if you miss the deadline and the promotional term expires with a sum you still owe, financing the down payment portion of your purchase with a credit card could be expensive.
Reward Points and Cash Back
The possibility of earning points is another reason to use your bank card to make a down payment rather than your checkbook. There is a great chance to earn substantial rewards with a purchase this size.
And if you can turn the points into cash back, that can help you pay for your new automobile. To find out what kinds of points or incentives you can receive for using your credit card to finance the down payment on a car, speak with your credit card provider.
Alternative Methods for Making Your Down Payment
There are many alternatives to utilizing your credit card while making a down payment. Here are some safer methods for making a down payment on a new car.
- Vehicle trade-in: If you want a new car, think about trading in your old one. Every money counts, even if the value of your old car is only a few hundred dollars.
- Study manufacturers Incentives: Look online for seasonal discounts, promotions, and rebates like Ford’s program honoring veterans, which can enable you to purchase a vehicle with little or no down payment.
- Use an electronic funds transfer (ETF) or a money order: Consider utilizing a money order to certify the funds or having your bank transfer them electronically if you’re paying a sizable down payment because the majority of dealerships won’t accept it in hard cash.
Although you can use a credit card to finance the down payment for a car, there are some possible risks. If you have the money on hand and the rewards points are worthwhile, it can be a smart move. However, for peace of mind, think about some of the alternatives we propose if you’re unsure that you can pay off your payment before the next month’s cycle.
