Is there a limit to debit card purchases and do they differ between online and in person?

newlease

Information on cash withdrawal and contactless limits is readily available. Are there really no limits to purchases provided sufficient funds are in the account? For example, theoretically and purely technically putting aside any concerns, could a debit card be used to purchase a £20,000 car from a dealership in person? Fund a savings account accepting debit card payments £80,000 in one go? Purchase a house instead of using CHAPS?

greyteam1959

There are limits that vary bank by bank I believe.
I have used a debit card to pay for a car around £20 000 if I remember.
Purchase a house ?? Nope...........
It would probably be sensible to contact your bank &  tell them that you will be making a big payment with you card. It might stop your card being declined as an 'unusual' transaction.

hoc

Online transactions such as funding savings or pensions are more likely to be accepted without blocks especially if payments have been made before especially if they fit a pattern. Funding £20k into ISA each year or even higher into pension is essentially a non event as far as the bank is concerned, when amounts get much bigger it may trigger additional security measures beyond usual automated phone verification. There will be many moving 85k FSCS limits into NS&I these days. A random card swipe for a big amount would almost certainly get blocked.

coachman12

newlease said:

Information on cash withdrawal and contactless limits is readily available. Are there really no limits to purchases provided sufficient funds are in the account? For example, theoretically and purely technically putting aside any concerns, could a debit card be used to purchase a £20,000 car from a dealership in person? Fund a savings account accepting debit card payments £80,000 in one go? Purchase a house instead of using CHAPS?

Except for buying a house, the answer is "yes". I have bought a few cars over the years using debit cards, the most recent using my NatWest Black Card. As others have said, it helps to tell your bank in advance but even if you don't, it only takes a quick phone call from a car showroom or a a call to Bank Fraud Dept if your card gets blocked due to unusually high transaction.