Purchasing a car using a debit card

cabbage

I too had a problem with nationwide taking the debit card transaction out twice. Garage said it was Nationwide's fault and Nationwide said it was the garage's fault. Basically the debit card transaction is in two parts, one when you input your pin which is a promise to pay the dealer and then when the other part goes through which is when the money leaves your account. With mine the two didn't marry up. Was £7k overdrawn - was a nightmare. Would rather get a counter cheque payable to the garage than go through that hassle again.

Agree also that you should pay something on your credit card to cover you under the Consumer Credit Act if your statutory right are breached.

janninew

I would check with your bank first, just to be on the safe side!

I bought a new tv last week and paid just over 1,000 on my debit card and I had to speak to my bank over the phone in the store to confirm that it was my card and it hadn't been stolen. I did ask why and they told me (Halifax by the way!) as i don't usually make such large purchases it was automatically flagged up.

I answered the questions fine and got my tv no problems, in a way I was glad they did this, shows that they are on the ball and on the look out for fraud etc.

oldagetraveller

In the past, and to save any hassle at the dealers, I've contacted my bank and gone through security, to make sure it's me, prior to going to pay for the car with a debit card. I've advised name of dealers, date of transaction and amount to be debited and been told that a note to that effect will be placed on their system.

"Second Baby due January 2011! How did that happen?!" Congrats, but I'd really advise finding out the answer to "how" as soon as possible!:D

Ebe_Scrooge

I've only bought a car on debit card once, and Option 1 happened to me. As others have said, if you fore-warn your bank they will probably accept it with no problem.

Having said that, it was no big deal. Dealer put the transaction through, a message flashed up to ask him to call the bank, he passed the phone to me, I confirmed it was a genuine transaction and answered some security questions, job done.

If you have the funds in your account, debit card is nearly always the easiest way to pay. Saves you paying for a banker's draft or carrying loads of cash around, the dealer is guaranteed of the funds ( no waiting for a cheque to clear ) and I *think* I'm right in saying that it's the cheapest way for the dealer ( his fees are lower than for handling cash or cheque ) so you may be able to negotiate a bit more on price :-)

Lum

I too have bought a car on a debit card (£12000ish) and option 1 happened. Bank called me to confirm. This was the Halifax BTW.

[Deleted User]

I paid 2.4K for a car on a debit card and it went through with no problem. Debit card is the best way. Who carries large amounts of cash in their pockets these days! I did pay a £100 deposit by credit card a few days early though.

book12

I paid the deposit by debit card too.

Looks like most of you all have the transaction approved, and then the bank call you to answer security questions using the dealer's phone after inputting the PIN debit card number.

What security questions are asked? Is it only DOB, maiden name, 1st line of address (including post code)?