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Car repairs can be costly — even regular maintenance can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. I should know. I live in a city with pothole-ridden roads, small streets, and some less-than-careful drivers. All that adds up to frequent trips to the mechanic.
And while I would, of course, rather not have to spend that money, I do get a little giddy knowing all the credit card rewards I'll earn on each repair. The best credit cards for car repairs set you up to earn valuable points or cash back rewards on repairs and/or spread out your payments over time without accruing interest.
Whether you drive a state-of-the-art EV that requires a rocket scientist to fix or grandma's hand-me-down junker (like me), having the right credit card in your wallet can soften the blow of a hefty car repair bill.
How we rate products
To develop our list of the best credit cards for car repairs, we evaluated cards according to a set of criteria we consider critical to someone in need of car repairs. These included intro APR offers, cash back earnings, and low or no annual fees. We also evaluated cards based on credit score requirements and welcome offers, and we determined the ideal candidate for each card based on all of these metrics. We included some cards that did not offer all of the features we gave preference to — such as cash back — if the benefits outweigh this drawback.
We did not evaluate all products/services in the category. We used editorial judgment to determine which cards were best for different users and situations.
How to choose the best credit card for car repairs
There are several factors to consider that can help you choose the best credit card for car repairs. Consider the following:
- Intro APR offers if you need to spread out paying off your car repair costs over several months
- Reward earnings on car repairs and other purchases you're likely to make
- Annual fees that will add to your costs
- Credit score requirements
- Welcome offers that can be earned with a car repair purchase (we recommend using this one as a tiebreaker between similar cards, not the sole reason you apply)
The best car repair credit cards compared
| Card name | Essential card details | Excellent for |
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Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®
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Earning cash back on car repairs |
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Wells Fargo Reflect® Card(Rates and fees)
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Financing significant one-time costs |
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Discover it® Student Cash Back(Rates and fees)
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Campus commuters |
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Chase Freedom Unlimited®(Rates and fees)
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Earning well-rounded cash back |
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Citi Double Cash® Card
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Paying for past repairs |
Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®
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- Strong rewards rate in unique categories available to those with fair credit
- Earn 3% cash back on payments for home, auto, and health purchases; 1% cash back on payments for all other purchases
- Hybrid card that allows for easy purchases yet functions as a credit line with predictable monthly payments
- No fees - no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, no hidden fees
- Credit lines range from $500-$25,000
The Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards card is the best card for earning rewards on car repairs because it's the only one I've found designed specifically for these purchases. You'll earn up to 3% cash back on payments for automotive parts, trips to car dealers, car washes, tire purchases, and towing services. You get a great earn rate whether you take your vehicle to a service shop, have it tuned up at a dealership, or buy parts from a retailer — like Discount Tire and Firestone. This is very uncommon, as other cash back cards will typically give an earn rate like this on travel, dining, or groceries. You'll get this rate on qualifying home and health purchases, too.
We also recommend this option if you need some extra time to pay off your car repairs. This isn't your typical credit card, and it doesn't offer a 0% intro APR period on purchases to avoid interest. Instead, it's a rewards card tied to an Upgrade personal loan. Your transactions are combined into an installment loan with a fixed rate and terms. Then, you make your monthly payments and may pay less interest than you would carrying a balance on a normal credit card.
- Bonus cash back on car repairs
- Credit line from $500 to $25,000
- No annual fee
- Welcome offer requires a new Rewards Checking Plus account
- No interest-free period
- Locks you into a loan
Learn how to apply or read our full Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa review.
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
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- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 17.49%, 23.99%, or 28.24% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate, BT fee of 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can get access to personalized deals from a variety of merchants. It's an easy way to earn cash back as an account credit when you shop, dine, or enjoy an experience simply by using an eligible Wells Fargo credit card.
If your car needs costly work and you know you need time to get the money, your best bet will be a credit card that offers an extended intro APR period on purchases. The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card does just that, with a 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening (then 17.49%, 23.99%, or 28.24% Variable). This is one of the longest intro APR offers we've found (many others with similar intro periods offer them on balance transfers rather than purchase — the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card, for example, has a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months from date of account opening (then 16.49% - 27.24% (Variable)); balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
If you make your car repair purchase immediately after being approved for the Wells Fargo Reflect, you'll get almost two full years to pay it off interest-free.
Unfortunately, an extended intro APR window like this comes with a tradeoff — you won't earn any rewards on this card. The sole purpose of applying is to utilize the intro APR window. After that, it doesn't make much sense to keep it in your wallet.
- Very long intro APR period on purchases
- Up to $600 in cell phone protection (subject to $25 deductible)
- No annual fee
- You won't earn rewards
- No welcome offer
- Limited utility after interest-free window ends
Apply now or read our full Wells Fargo Reflect review.
Discover it® Student Cash Back
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- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200.
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Redeem cash back for any amount
- No credit score required to apply.
- No annual fee and build credit with responsible use.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 16.49% - 25.49% applies.
- Terms and conditions apply.
If you're a young adult who owns a car, you might have experienced the stress of needing repairs you can't immediately afford. The Discover it® Student Cash Back can give you the option to charge purchases to your card, which you can then pay back the next time you get a paycheck or student loan/tuition disbursement.
We always recommend paying off a credit card in full, not carrying a balance, but this card has a 0% intro APR offer on purchases that can buy you a little time to come up with funds — 6 months, to be exact (then 16.49% - 25.49% Variable APR). You don't always find this with a student card.
You also don't often find so much ongoing value. As far as credit cards with bonus rewards categories go, this one has better everyday options than we've seen. Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Discover is one of our favorite issuers of credit cards for students because it offers reliable customer service, a mobile app that's easy to use, and features like identity theft protection.
- Elevated cash back on rotating bonus categories
- Flexibility in redeeming earnings
- No annual fee
- Shorter intro APR period
- Have to activate bonus categories
- Bonus cash back capped at $1,500 in qualifying purchases per quarter
Apply now or read our full Discover it® Student Cash Back review.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
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- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can use points to redeem for cash through an account statement credit or an electronic deposit into an eligible Chase account located in the United States!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24% - 27.74%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a more well-rounded option for everyday use, so we recommend it if you're not interested in getting a credit card solely to pay for car repairs. Although you won't earn bonus cash back on repairs, you'll earn 1.5% back on everything, which is nothing to scoff at.
Getting a credit card for one big purchase isn't always a good idea, so the Freedom Unlimited allows you to get the best of both worlds — flat-rate cash back on all purchases and a 0% intro APR offer on purchases for 15 months (then 18.24% - 27.74% Variable). If you have a relatively minor car repair and want a card that's good for the long haul and not just good for now, we like this one.
- Extended intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers
- Lucrative welcome offer
- Flexibility in redemptions
- No bonus cash back on car repairs
- Requires good to excellent credit
Apply now or read our full Chase Freedom Unlimited review.
Citi Double Cash® Card
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- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 17.49% - 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
If you have good credit, you can't go wrong with the Citi Double Cash card to pay for car repairs. You'll earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel. This is a great incentive to pay your balance in full every month, but fair warning that it can also be frustrating if you want immediate access to your cash back.
This card doesn't offer an intro APR on purchases, unfortunately, but it does offer a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months (then 17.49% - 27.49% (Variable)). If you've already paid for your car repairs, you could transfer your balance from a card with high interest rates and take your time paying it off on the Citi Double Cash.
- No annual fee
- Solid earning potential
- Extended intro APR on balance transfers
- No intro APR for purchases
- Limited additional benefits
Apply now or read our full Citi Double Cash® Card(Rates and fees) review.
Cards that didn't make our list
Some cards that didn't make our list include:
- Discover it® Cash Back: This is a solid cash back card, but each quarter's 5% bonus cash back category has a spending cap and must be activated. Plus, it's unlikely car repairs will fall under this bonus calendar, so you'll earn just 1%. Still, the intro APR on purchases and Cashback Match™ make it a worthy contender in other scenarios. Read our Discover it® Cash Back review to learn more.
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: This card offers 3% cash back on U.S. gas stations and transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more), making it ideal for someone who wants to save money on gas. However, you'll earn just 1% on your car repair purchase (cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout). The card also has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, $95 per year thereafter annual fee, which means you'll need to spend heavily to earn enough cash back to recoup your cost. Read our Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express review to learn more.
FAQs
Can you use a credit card for car repairs?
Yes, you can typically pay for car repairs with a credit card. This is one of the ways to cover urgent repairs if you're short on cash. Because car repairs can be expensive, consider using a 0% intro APR credit card to save money on interest charges for a certain period of time.
Are there credit cards with specialized benefits for car repairs?
There typically aren't any specialized benefits for using a credit card to pay for car repairs other than being able to use credit rather than cash. But you can still earn rewards on the repair expense, and a low-interest credit card could help you pay for large purchases over time without incurring heavy interest charges.
Do dealerships offer financing for car repairs?
The availability of car repair financing at dealerships will vary by location and situation. Financing can be an attractive option because car repairs can be expensive. Consider interest rates and repayment terms before accepting a financing offer.
Bottom line
The best credit card for car repairs depends on your situation. If you're tight on money and have a significant repair, you should apply for a card like the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card to spread out your payments as long as possible without incurring interest charges.
However, a more well-rounded card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® could be a better option if it's just a minor repair. It's also worth considering applying for one of the best travel credit cards, as big repair bills could help you meet the spend requirement for earning a valuable welcome bonus that could then be used to cover a fun trip.
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Current Offer
Earn $200 statement credit by opening a Rewards Checking account and making 3 debit card transactions in the first 60 days of your Upgrade Card account opening
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
3% cash back on payments for home, auto, and health purchases; 1% cash back on payments for all other purchases