Did you know that over 130,000 cars were sold per month in the second half of 2022, according to Statistics Canada? Currently, the average cost of a new car can be over $45,000, which is almost half the average household’s median family income. In other words, cars are becoming increasingly difficult to afford—and that’s why countless Canadians purchase new vehicles on credit.

One of the ways Canadians purchase cars is through their credit cards. While this isn’t common, it’s a viable option if the buyer meets certain requirements pertaining to their credit history and spending habits. With this in mind, here’s a comprehensive guide exploring the various aspects of buying cars using credit cards in Canada.

Enjoy reading!

The Basics of Buying Cars Using Credit Cards

Buying a car using a credit card is no different from using your card to make other purchases. The only major difference is the amount being financed. Cars cost far more than usual personal expenses, so there’s every chance you’ll have to negotiate with the dealership and your bank to approve the transaction. Once the transaction is approved, you’ll be required to make monthly payments to the credit card issuer until your debt is settled.

It’s important to note that the interest charged on credit cards is usually higher than what you pay for auto-financing directly through the dealer. However, this doesn’t mean buying cars using credit cards is a bad deal. The key is to use the right type of credit card and take advantage of promotional offers so your purchase compensates you adequately in the long run.

Factors That Affect the Interest You’ll Owe for Buying a Car Using a Credit Card

1.      Introductory Offers

One of the most important factors to consider before buying a car using a credit card is whether you’re in the card’s introductory promotional period. Many credit cards provide fantastic initial rewards to people who have recently signed up.

For instance, the Scotiabank Value VISA card offers zero-interest cash advances, for the first 6 months, for new members, while the CIBC Select VISA Card offers 0% interest for the first 10 months. If you’ve just signed up for one of the above-mentioned cards, you could put your car purchase on your very own installment plan at no interest!

2.      Your Financial Status

Another factor that determines how much interest you’ll be charged for buying a car on a credit card is your financial status. This consists of your credit score, employment, and income. The higher your credit score, the more likely it’ll be for banks to consider you a low-risk borrower, and the lower your interest rate is likely to be. Similarly, the more you earn, the more likely it’ll be for credit card companies to issue you a card with solid introductory rewards that can help you make the most of your vehicle purchase.

3.      Down Payments

In an ideal world, dealerships would let everyone buy cars using credit cards—but sadly, this isn’t the case due to processing fees. Banks typically charge merchants 1-2.5% on all credit card transactions, which means the dealership will be parting ways with a few hundred dollars for every car sold on a credit card.

This is why it’s important to offer the dealership a down payment and settle the remaining amount using your credit card. This will minimize their processing fees, making it easier for them to agree to let you buy a car using a credit card so you can take advantage of rewards such as low (or zero) interest on the purchase.

Using the Right Type of Card

So, you’ve successfully negotiated a down payment with the dealership, and they’ve agreed to let you buy a car using your credit card. All that’s left to do is complete the payment—and that’s where the type of credit card used makes all the difference!

There are two main types of cards we recommend considering to complete your car purchase:

1.      Bonus Points Card

Bonus points cards give you points for certain purchases or for spending a certain amount. The points may be redeemed for rewards such as cash rebates. In other words, once you’ve amassed enough points, you can ask for a cash back amount equivalent to the number of points and use it towards the purchasing price of the car!

2.      Cash Back Credit Card

As the name suggests, cash back credit cards give you a rebate on purchases from select merchants. Car dealerships aren’t usually included in the list of merchants covered by cash back credit card issuers—but that doesn’t mean you can’t use your rebates to lower the amount paid for the car.

For instance, the Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite Card is a cash back credit card that gives you 4% rebates on groceries and recurring payments, 2% on gas and daily transit, and 1% on all other purchases. These rebates can pile up into a substantial amount you can use to offset the cost of buying a new car.

Don’t Forget Credit Card Terms and Paying Dues on Time

It’s important to note that bonus and cash back credit cards are subject to numerous terms and conditions. We recommend reading them all the way through if you want to make the most of the card’s rewards program when buying a car. It’s also important to pay off the balance in full each month to avoid being charged interest.

You’ll ultimately pay minimal interest if you keep the aforementioned factors and tips in mind. You can also receive fantastic rewards like bonus points you can exchange for everything from air miles to hotel stays—all from buying a car using a credit card!

Unsure what type of credit card to buy a car with? Want to learn about the best Canadian cash back credit cards?  Great Canadian Rebates can help you. This online platform is designed so you can find, compare, and apply for all types of credit cards. The best part is you can also get a generous credit card rebate if you apply through their website and are approved for the card.

We offer information on some of the best rewards credit cards in Canada for bonus points, cash back, and more. We also provide rebates to our members, outline fantastic sales every week, and publish a wealth of great resources on all things credit card-related on our blog.

Visit Great Canadian Rebates to learn how to become a GCR member.