Car repairs are inevitable, but they don’t have to break the bank. If you’re faced with a hefty bill for fixing your vehicle, you might be wondering how to pay for it without draining your savings or going into debt. One possible solution is to use a credit card that offers benefits for car repairs, such as rewards, low interest rates, or extended warranties.
But not all credit cards are created equal when it comes to car repairs. Some cards might charge high fees, have strict eligibility requirements, or limit the amount of coverage you can get. That’s why it’s important to do your research and compare different options before you apply for a credit card for car repairs.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to choose the best credit cards for car repairs, based on your needs and preferences. We’ll also review 10 of the best credit cards for car repairs available in the market, and highlight their pros and cons. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a better idea of how to find the best credit card for your car repair needs.
Table of Contents
What are the best credit cards for car repairs?
The best credit cards for car repairs are those that offer features and benefits that suit your specific situation and goals. Depending on your preferences, you might look for a credit card that offers one or more of the following:
- Rewards: Some credit cards offer cash back, points, or miles for every dollar you spend on car repairs, or on certain categories such as gas, groceries, or travel. These rewards can help you offset the cost of your car repairs, or save up for your next trip or purchase. However, rewards cards usually have higher interest rates than non-rewards cards, so you should pay off your balance in full every month to avoid paying interest and fees.
- Low interest rates: If you need to finance your car repairs over time, you might want to look for a credit card that offers a low interest rate, or a 0% introductory APR period. This way, you can pay off your car repairs without paying extra interest. However, low interest cards might have lower credit limits, higher fees, or stricter approval criteria than other cards. Also, you should be careful not to miss any payments or exceed your credit limit, as this could trigger a penalty APR or damage your credit score.
- Extended warranties: Some credit cards offer extended warranties for purchases made with the card, including car repairs. This means that if your car breaks down again within a certain period after the repair, you can get reimbursed by the card issuer for the cost of the repair. However, extended warranties might have limitations, exclusions, or deductibles, so you should read the terms and conditions carefully before relying on them. Also, you should keep your receipts and documentation of the repair, as you might need to provide them to the card issuer to file a claim.
How to compare the best credit cards for car repairs
When comparing the best credit cards for car repairs, you should consider the following factors:
- Your credit score: Your credit score is a measure of your creditworthiness, based on your payment history, credit utilization, credit mix, and other factors. Your credit score affects your chances of getting approved for a credit card, as well as the interest rate, credit limit, and fees you’ll get. Generally, the higher your credit score, the better your options. You can check your credit score for free from various sources, such as your bank, credit card issuer, or online service.
- Your spending habits: Your spending habits refer to how much you spend on car repairs, and how often you need them. Your spending habits affect the type and amount of rewards you can earn, as well as the interest and fees you’ll pay. Generally, if you spend a lot on car repairs, or need them frequently, you might benefit from a rewards card that offers cash back, points, or miles for car repairs, or a low interest card that offers a 0% introductory APR period. However, if you spend little on car repairs, or need them rarely, you might be better off with a no-fee card that offers extended warranties, or a card that offers other benefits that you value more.
- Your payment plan: Your payment plan refers to how quickly you plan to pay off your car repairs. Your payment plan affects the interest and fees you’ll pay, as well as the rewards you can earn. Generally, if you plan to pay off your car repairs in full within the same billing cycle, you might benefit from a rewards card that offers cash back, points, or miles for car repairs, as you won’t pay any interest and you’ll earn rewards. However, if you plan to pay off your car repairs over time, you might benefit from a low interest card that offers a 0% introductory APR period, as you’ll save on interest and avoid paying fees.
10 Best Credit Cards For Car Repairs
Based on the factors mentioned above, we’ve selected 10 of the best credit cards for car repairs available in the market. We’ve also included a brief summary of their features, pros, and cons, to help you compare them and choose the best one for you. Here they are, in no particular order:
1. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a simple and straightforward cash back card that offers unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases, including car repairs. It also offers a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months, and a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then a variable APR of 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99%. It has no annual fee, but it charges a 3% foreign transaction fee and a 3% balance transfer fee.
Pros:
- Unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases, including car repairs
- $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then a variable APR of 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99%
- No annual fee
Cons:
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- 3% balance transfer fee
- Requires good to excellent credit
2. Chase Freedom Flex℠
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ is a versatile and flexible cash back card that offers 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate, 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1% cash back on all other purchases, including car repairs. It also offers a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months, and a 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months, then a variable APR of 20.49% – 29.24%. It has no annual fee, but it charges a 3% foreign transaction fee and a 5% balance transfer fee.
Pros:
- 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate, 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1% cash back on all other purchases, including car repairs
- $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months, then a variable APR of 20.49% – 29.24%
- No annual fee
- Cell phone protection up to $800 per claim and $1,000 per year against covered theft or damage
Cons:
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- 5% balance transfer fee
- Requires good to excellent credit
- Bonus categories might not match your spending habits
3. Citi Simplicity® Card
The Citi Simplicity® Card is a simple and straightforward low interest card that offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months, then a variable APR of 19.24% – 29.99%. It has no annual fee, no late fees, and no penalty APR. However, it charges a 3% foreign transaction fee and a 5% balance transfer fee.
Pros:
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months, then a variable APR of 19.24% – 29.99%
- No annual fee, no late fees, and no penalty APR
- Free access to your FICO® Score
Cons:
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- 5% balance transfer fee
- No rewards or sign-up bonus
- Requires good to excellent credit
4. Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is a simple and straightforward low interest card that offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months, then a variable APR of 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99%. It has no annual fee, but it charges a 3% foreign transaction fee and a 3% balance transfer fee.
Pros:
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months, then a variable APR of 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99%
- No annual fee
- Cell phone protection up to $600 per claim and $1,200 per year against covered theft or damage
Cons:
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- 3% balance transfer fee
- No rewards or sign-up bonus
- Requires good to excellent credit
5. Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a simple and straightforward cash back card that offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, including car repairs. It also offers a credit limit increase after making your first 5 monthly payments on time, and access to your credit score and tools to monitor your credit. It has a $39 annual fee, but no foreign transaction fee or balance transfer fee.
Pros:
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, including car repairs
- Credit limit increase after making your first 5 monthly payments on time
- Access to your credit score and tools to monitor your credit
- No foreign transaction fee or balance transfer fee
Cons:
- $39 annual fee
- No sign-up bonus or intro APR offer
- Requires fair to good credit
6. Discover it® Secured Credit Card
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is a secured credit card that offers 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, and 1% cash back on all other purchases, including car repairs. It also offers a dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year, and a chance to graduate to an unsecured card after 8 months of responsible use. It has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, and no late fee on your first late payment. However, it requires a refundable security deposit of at least $200, and it charges a 3% balance transfer fee.
Pros:
- 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, and 1% cash back on all other purchases, including car repairs
- Dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year
- Chance to graduate to an unsecured card after 8 months of responsible use
- No annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, and no late fee on your first late payment
- Free access to your FICO® Score
Cons:
- Requires a refundable security deposit of at least $200
- 3% balance transfer fee
- No sign-up bonus or intro APR offer
- Requires bad to fair credit
7. U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card is a simple and straightforward low interest card that offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 20 billing cycles, then a variable APR of 16.24% – 26.24%. It also offers cell phone protection up to $600 per claim and $1,200 per year against covered theft or damage. It has no annual fee, but it charges a 3% foreign transaction fee and a 3% balance transfer fee.
Pros:
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 20 billing cycles, then a variable APR of 16.24% – 26.24%
- Cell phone protection up to $600 per claim and $1,200 per year against covered theft or damage
- No annual fee
Cons:
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- 3% balance transfer fee
- No rewards or sign-up bonus
- Requires good to excellent credit
8. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a travel rewards card that offers 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3X points on dining, 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X point on all other purchases, including car repairs. It also offers a 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, which is worth $1,250 when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. It has a $95 annual fee, but no foreign transaction fee or balance transfer fee.
Pros:
- 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3X points on dining, 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X point on all other purchases, including car repairs
- 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, worth $1,250 when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- No foreign transaction fee or balance transfer fee
- 25% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Transfer your points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs at 1:1 value
Cons:
- $95 annual fee
- No intro APR offer
- Requires good to excellent credit
9. American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card
The American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card is a cash back card that offers 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit, and 1% cash back on all other purchases, including car repairs. It also offers a $300 statement credit after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months, and a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then a variable APR of 15.24% – 27.24%. It has a $95 annual fee, but no balance transfer fee.
Pros:
- 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit, and 1% cash back on all other purchases, including car repairs
- $300 statement credit after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then a variable APR of 15.24% – 27.24%
- No balance transfer fee
- Car rental loss and damage insurance
Cons:
- $95 annual fee
- 2.7% foreign transaction fee
- Requires good to excellent credit
- Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit
10. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is a cash back card that offers 3% cash back in the category of your choice, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 1% cash back on all other purchases, including car repairs. You can choose from six categories for your 3% cash back: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings. The 3% and 2% cash back apply to the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1% cash back. It also offers a $200 online cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days, and a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles, then a variable APR of 15.24% – 25.24%. It has no annual fee, but it charges a 3% foreign transaction fee and a 3% balance transfer fee.
Pros:
- 3% cash back in the category of your choice, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 1% cash back on all other purchases, including car repairs
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles, then a variable APR of 15.24% – 25.24%
- No annual fee
- Preferred Rewards members can earn 25% – 75% more cash back on every purchase
Cons:
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- 3% balance transfer fee
- Requires good to excellent credit
- 3% and 2% cash back are limited to the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1% cash back
FAQs
What are the best credit cards for car repairs?
The best credit cards for car repairs are those that offer features and benefits that suit your specific situation and goals. Depending on your preferences, you might look for a credit card that offers rewards, low interest rates, or extended warranties for car repairs. Some of the best credit cards for car repairs that we’ve reviewed are:
- Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases, including car repairs
- Chase Freedom Flex℠: 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate, 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1% cash back on all other purchases, including car repairs
- Citi Simplicity® Card: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months, then a variable APR of 19.24% – 29.99%
- Wells Fargo Reflect® Card: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months, then a variable APR of 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99%
How do I apply for a credit card for car repairs?
To apply for a credit card for car repairs, you’ll need to fill out an online application form with your personal and financial information, such as your name, address, income, and social security number. You’ll also need to consent to a credit check, which will determine your eligibility and terms for the card. Depending on the card issuer, you might get an instant decision, or you might have to wait for a few days or weeks for approval. Once you’re approved, you’ll receive your card in the mail, and you can activate it and start using it for your car repairs.
How do I use a credit card for car repairs?
To use a credit card for car repairs, you’ll need to find a mechanic or a service center that accepts your card as a form of payment. You can use your card to pay for the full or partial cost of your car repairs, depending on your credit limit and budget. You’ll also need to pay your credit card bill on time and in full every month, or at least the minimum amount due, to avoid interest and fees. You can also take advantage of any rewards, benefits, or features that your card offers, such as cash back, points, miles, extended warranties, or cell phone protection.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a credit card for car repairs?
Using a credit card for car repairs can have some advantages and disadvantages, depending on your situation and goals.
Some of the advantages are:
- You can pay for your car repairs over time, instead of upfront, which can help you manage your cash flow and budget
- You can earn rewards, such as cash back, points, or miles, for every dollar you spend on car repairs, which can help you save money or redeem for other things you want or need
- You can enjoy benefits, such as extended warranties, cell phone protection, or car rental insurance, that can protect you from unexpected costs or damages related to your car repairs
- You can build or improve your credit score, by using your card responsibly and making your payments on time and in full every month
Some of the disadvantages are:
- You might pay interest and fees, if you don’t pay off your balance in full every month, or if you miss a payment or exceed your credit limit, which can increase the cost of your car repairs and hurt your credit score
- You might overspend, if you’re not careful with your budget and spending habits, which can lead to debt and financial stress
- You might damage your credit score, if you apply for too many cards, or if you use too much of your available credit, which can lower your chances of getting approved for other credit products or loans in the future
Conclusion
Car repairs are inevitable, but they don’t have to break the bank. By using a credit card that offers rewards, low interest rates, or extended warranties for car repairs, you can pay for your car repairs over time, earn rewards, enjoy benefits, and build your credit. However, you should also be aware of the potential drawbacks, such as interest, fees, overspending, and credit damage, and use your card wisely and responsibly. We hope this guide has helped you understand how to choose the best credit cards for car repairs, and compare 10 of the best options available in the market. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact us. We’d love to hear from you. Thank you for reading, and happy repairing!