Unexpected car troubles are always stressful. It’s harder to get around while your car’s in the shop, and you may be looking at a costly repair bill.
American households spent an average of $975 on vehicle maintenance and repairs in 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. And that’s just the average. Some repairs cost $5,000 to $10,000.
That’s a lot to pay at once, but when you need your car, you don’t have much of a choice. If you’re struggling to come up with money for auto repairs, a 0% APR card could be the solution.
How a 0% APR card could help with an auto repair bill
Credit cards generally have high interest rates, so they’re not great for paying off purchases over time. The exception is 0% APR credit cards.Â
These have a 0% APR for an introductory period, which could be 12 months or longer, depending on the card. During that time, you still need to make minimum payments, but you aren’t charged any interest on your purchases.
Let’s say your car needs its transmission replaced, and it will cost $5,000. You don’t have that much money in your savings, but you could afford to pay $350 per month.
So, you open a credit card with a 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months. You could then charge the entire repair bill to your new card and pay $350 per month toward the balance. With the 15-month introductory period, you’ll have enough time to pay off the entire repair without any interest charges.
When you need to pay off auto repairs or other large expenses over time, a 0% APR card is one of the best ways to save on interest. If you’re looking for one, check out our list of the best 0% APR credit cards, with introductory periods lasting as long as 21 months!
What to do before you apply for a 0% APR card
Ensure the repair shop accepts credit cards. Many do, but some only accept debit cards and cash. If you can’t pay by credit card, you could either:
- Take your car to another mechanic that will accept a 0% APR card.
- Find another way to pay for the repair, such as a personal loan.
You should also check your credit score. If you already have any other credit cards, you may be able to see your credit score in your online account. There are also free credit score tools online, such as Experian CreditWorks Basic.
For the most part, the best credit cards like these are aimed at consumers with good credit — a credit score of 670 or higher. That includes the best 0% APR cards. If your credit score is lower than 670, you could still qualify for a 0% APR card, but it may not have as long of an introductory period. Instead of a 0% APR for 15 to 21 months, you might only be able to get a card with an introductory period of six to nine months.
How to make the most of a 0% intro APR
Do your best to pay off your 0% APR card before the introductory period ends. Once it ends, the interest rate will go up quite a bit. You’ll then be charged interest on your remaining balance and any balances you carry going forward. On the other hand, if you get your card paid off during the intro period, you’ll avoid interest charges entirely.
A 0% APR card is an excellent opportunity to borrow money for auto repairs interest-free. But if you only make minimum payments, you probably won’t pay off the balance in time. Figure out how much you need to pay per month, so you get your card balance down to $0 while it has a 0% intro APR.