Let’s be honest, car bills aren’t always cheap. Unexpected repairs or routine maintenance that hit at the wrong time of the month can drive customers to either delay or, even worse, disappear. That’s lost revenue, and it’s a missed chance to build a good relationship with a regular customer.
If you give your customer a bit of breathing room with a buy now, pay later option, though, the whole game changes.
Motoring Costs Are Stretching Budgets
Between rising insurance premiums, fuel prices, and the cost of parts, drivers nationwide are feeling the pinch at the moment. An MOT that used to come with a £150 bill can easily creep past £400 once advisory repairs and an annual service are thrown in.
The general cost of living is higher, too, which means a hefty car repair bill can easily get shuffled down the priority list. That doesn’t mean a customer doesn’t value the work; it might just mean they can’t afford the upfront cost.
Offering financial support at the point of payment makes life easier for both you and your customers because when you make costs manageable and accessible, customers remember it.
Why Buy Now Pay Later Works
There’s a psychological shift when a customer sees they’ve got a way to split the cost. A £600 bill is a lot (and often too much) to fork out for, but four payments of £150 each are much more manageable. Because buy now, pay later schemes like Payment Assist are interest-free, it’s a way of offering flexibility without squeezing extra interest fees out of the customer.
The whole thing takes minutes – the customer sees what they owe, agrees to spread it, signs digitally, and off they go. Job done, you get paid, they get back on the road.
Your Business Builds Trust
One of the biggest reasons customers avoid garages is the fear of being stitched up. They don’t always trust what they can’t afford. But when a customer sees upfront pricing with flexible payment, you take that fear off the table. Buy now, pay later removes confusion, bill shock, and delays, which builds trust and loyalty. When someone knows they can rely on you for clear advice, transparent pricing, and financial support, they stop shopping around and stick with what they know.
Higher Average Spend, More Repeat Visits
Customers with flexible car repair options tend to spend more. Not because they’re being reckless, but because they’re not being forced to cut corners. Instead of going for the bare minimum, there’s a greater incentive to follow your recommendations. That might mean sorting tyres and suspension now rather than leaving it for next time.
Over time, you’ll likely see this boost customer retention and increase the lifetime value of that client because, once you’ve helped someone, they’ll trust you again.
A Competitive Edge
Lots of garages and dealerships offer similar core services, and it’s the bits you offer around the edges that make the difference. Giving people the financial support to take control of their cash flow is massive here.
A buy now, pay later scheme for car repairs means your business stands out. It gives you a reason to shout about how you support customers, and it turns your workshop into somewhere drivers want to come back to.
No Extra Hassle for You
You might be thinking this sounds like more admin, but working with the right partner means the legwork is done for you. With Payment Assist, there’s no chasing invoices and no awkward debt collection. Just straight-up payment and happier customers. It works behind the scenes so you can get on with running your business.
Ready to Boost Your Customer Retention with Buy Now Pay Later?
At Payment Assist, we help you make your car repairs affordable with flexible buy now, pay later finance. There’s no interest and no hidden fees; you get paid in full, fast, and your customers get the breathing room they need to drive away happy and safe.
It’s already working for garages and dealerships across the UK, increasing customer retention and lifting the average job value, too. If you’re looking to offer financial support at the point your customers need it most, then sign up for Payment Assist today or get in touch with us to find out more about how we can help you.
FAQs
What if a customer misses a payment?
It won’t affect your dealership or repair centre as you’re paid up-front while the customer pays instalments. If an instalment is missed, the customer may face fees or have their credit score impacted, but it won’t affect your business.
Can I use buy now, pay later for smaller car repair bills?
Absolutely. We don’t have a minimum spend limit, so you can use Payment Assist for minor car repairs.
Does buy now pay later affect dealership cash flow?
Not at all. You usually get paid upfront, while customers pay in instalments for their car repairs, so there’s no waiting around.
