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Buying a used car with 0% credit

17 replies

NamelessNancy · 13/01/2024 08:30

We need to replace one of our cars (getting scrapped - no trade in value). We're looking to spend £8000-£10000 on a replacement. We could fund this out of savings but this would leave us with a very low rainy day fund which makes both of us uncomfortable so we are planning to buy on credit.

Some dealerships are offering PCP deals etc on new cars at 0% but this isn't generally an option on used cars. We are considering trying to finance it on a 0% credit card. If we can get an eg 20 month interest free deal we would plan to pay off 250 pcm, clearing 5k in the interest free period. We would then either balance transfer to a new deal to continue to pay off or clear from savings at that point. Of course we would also have the option of selling the car to clear the debt provided we ensure we pay the balance of at a higher rate than the car depreciates at.

DH is the higher earner so would be applying for a credit card for this rather than me. He has excellent credit history. He currently has two credit cards which he uses fairly frequently but always pays off in full every month - they are generally just used to make it easier to see what is being spent on what if that makes sense and to seperate out purchases. My concern is whether the access to credit he already has is going to make it difficult to get accepted for a new card with a high enough limit. One of the cards has a limit of 11k (zero balance currently). Is it best to close one of these accounts first or request a limit reduction? Can he apply saying the plan would be to close one of the older accounts on acceptance?

Would appreciate any advice on both the general idea and the technicalities of trying to get an interest free card in place.

OP posts:
Nix32 · 13/01/2024 10:01

I think it'll actually make it easier. We are in a similar situation - use cards regularly and pay them in full. £13k limit.

I recently applied for a 0% card for a home improvement purchase - was approved instantly and given £7k limit for 15 months.

Wolfpa · 13/01/2024 10:06

Most websites have a credit card eligibility checker do a little research first.

with regards to closing one of the other cards down once you have the new one the bank won’t take this into consideration when giving the lending.

Pygtrail · 13/01/2024 10:24

Always use 0% credit cards however, always have the amount in savings too.

Bought two cars with them 15 k each at the time and we spread it across two 0% credit cards we paid them off in 21 months.

Saved the accommodation fee for my sons Uni Halls however decided to pay it all on 0% credit card and paid off now. Getting ahead on year 2 now as moving into private rented so will have to pay cash by BT. Hopefully we will keep the saved money for him and just keep managing to pay his accommodation and bills monthly.

Always use 0% credit cards for big purchases.

NamelessNancy · 13/01/2024 10:28

Thanks everyone, really appreciate the advice. Sounds like we're best applying for the longest interest free card we can and hoping the limit is enough for the purchase.

OP posts:
Chasingsquirrels · 13/01/2024 10:31

Double check the dealership will let you pay with a CREDIT card, things might have changed but a lot didn't used to because of transaction fees.

NamelessNancy · 13/01/2024 11:55

Yes, I know we'll be limited as to which dealers we can use. Appreciate the heads up though - I was surprised when I first realised that.

OP posts:
Bowbobobo · 13/01/2024 17:25

I got five year 0% finance on an HP deal for a 3 year old car, it’s worth shopping around. The fee they charge to pay by CC made that unattractive to me

NamelessNancy · 13/01/2024 18:55

Bowbobobo · 13/01/2024 17:25

I got five year 0% finance on an HP deal for a 3 year old car, it’s worth shopping around. The fee they charge to pay by CC made that unattractive to me

That's interesting - would definitely consider hp or PCP at 0%. We'll see what we can find. Thanks again everyone.

OP posts:
NCfor24 · 13/01/2024 18:59

We recently traded in our car for a bigger one of similar value and only had to pay £1500...but they wouldn't accept credit card! Luckily we collected it the day after payday so used debit card, but it left us a bit short whilst we sorted out a bank transfer at 0%.

Pygtrail · 13/01/2024 21:00

We weren’t charged for using CC maybe it’s changed?

hellojelly · 13/01/2024 21:03

Pygtrail · 13/01/2024 21:00

We weren’t charged for using CC maybe it’s changed?

The dealership can't charge you for using a credit card (they can no longer pass cc fees onto the consumer) but because of this a lot of dealerships just don't accept credit cards at all now as they're lumbered with the fee.

GeneCity · 14/01/2024 08:16

I wanted to use my credit card to buy my car for the cashback, but the dealership either wouldn't accept it, or would only accept a certain amount by credit card IIRC.

How much is the fee for accepting a credit card? Is it a flat fee or a percentage?

hellojelly · 14/01/2024 09:13

GeneCity · 14/01/2024 08:16

I wanted to use my credit card to buy my car for the cashback, but the dealership either wouldn't accept it, or would only accept a certain amount by credit card IIRC.

How much is the fee for accepting a credit card? Is it a flat fee or a percentage?

It depends on the card terminal and/or bank that the dealership has chosen.

GeneCity · 14/01/2024 09:16

Thanks @hellojelly.

ZeusandClio · 14/01/2024 09:24

It's also worth looking at cards with 0% fee and 0% interest on balance transfers, I've found the interest-free period can be longer than on purchases. You could pay for the car on your husband's existing card then transfer the balance to the new one with 0%, work out how much to pay per month to clear it in the interest free period and set up your direct debit. I do that for big purchases, get 23 months interest-free with 0% fee for £15k.

Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky · 14/01/2024 09:28

If you can pay by cc make sure to check timings carefully. A lot of the 0% purchases may give I interest free for 1 year etc but you have to make the purchase within the first x months. I think it was 2 on one card I saw.

May be easier to use balance transfer but then you will probably get hit with a balance transfer fee as well.

Welcometothehumanrace · 14/01/2024 09:51

Worth noting that if you use over 50% of your limit on a credit card this reflects badly on your credit report depending which credit agency you check. Goes down as high utilisation and can lower your score/make getting more credit difficult.

www.comparethemarket.com/credit-cards/content/credit-utilisation-rate/

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