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The Daily Insight Hub

Can I buy a car if I just got a credit card?

Author

William Jenkins

Updated on February 17, 2026

The short answer to this common question is yes, you can buy a car with a credit card. But you won’t be able to with every dealer, and even then, it’ll likely depend on the cost of the car itself, among other things.

Do car dealerships accept credit cards for down payments?

A car dealership might let you use a credit card for your down payment. This initial payment is called a down payment. Some dealerships require cash (or an equivalent form of payment, like a debit card, money order, check or electronic transfer) for the down payment. But some may allow you to use a credit card.

Can you get car finance if you have debt?

Your best chance at getting approved for bad credit car finance is if you can show evidence of managing your finances well now. This can mean that even if you have poor credit or have debts to pay, you may still be eligible for car finance as long as you can afford the monthly payments.

Can you buy a car with no credit score?

It’s possible to buy a car with no credit, but your financing options may be limited, and you’ll likely face challenges that consumers with a solid credit history may not encounter. Lenders typically prefer applicants who have an established pattern of responsible borrowing and making on-time payments.

Can you pay for a Tesla with a credit card?

Primarily, the direct purchasing of the Tesla car won’t be allowed via credit card. However, there is a third-party service called Plastiq, which places a 2.5% charged fee on the product. For every dollar that you spend on a product, you can collect the corresponding points.

How much of a car purchase can I put on a credit card?

First thing first: Before you can buy a car on a credit card, you have to find out if your dealership even offers that option. Most of the time, they won’t let you charge the entire purchase price of your car – instead, they’ll allow you to put up to $5,000 of the purchase on a credit card.

Is no credit better than bad credit when buying a car?

You may not be able to get a credit card or loan, and if you do, you may need a co-signer or to pay a sky-high interest rate. In short, both present problems, but having no credit is better than having bad credit because building good credit from scratch can be easier than rebuilding credit.

What happens when you buy a car with a credit card?

There are two main benefits worth noting when you purchase a car with a credit card. When you buy a car with an auto loan, the lender places a lien (claim to ownership) on the title. If you don’t follow through on your payments, the lender can repossess your car because it is the lienholder.

Which is the best credit card to buy a car with?

Many automakers offer credit cards that provide extra rewards for doing business with their dealerships. One of the best is GM’s BuyPower card, which allows cardholders to earn points toward the purchase of new GM vehicles. Always negotiate the price of your car purchase before you discuss how you are going to pay for it.

Can you pay for a new car with a debit card?

One of the advantages of using a debit card to pay for your new car is a lack of interest. Yes! The bank doesn’t charge interest on money withdrawn using a debit card. This is because the money comes straight from your bank account. Besides, using a debit card is also cheaper compared to using a credit card.

Is it possible to buy a credit card debt?

You may need to make many sales calls before you can successfully purchase a debt from a credit card company. In most cases, companies sell their credit card debts for less than 10 percent of the total amount owed. If you can collect on the entire account, it can create high profits for your business.