At the service desk
A countertop terminal at reception that can link to a compatible till. Tell us what job software you use and we'll confirm.
Card machines for garages and MOT centres
Bills that run from an MOT to a major repair, customers who pay on collection and company cards on fleet work. Take payment at the desk, on the forecourt or by link.
What garages need
Built for bigger bills
A garage rings up fewer payments than a shop, but each one is larger. That changes which fees matter and what you need from your payment set-up.
On the forecourt and at the vehicle
A portable terminal with 4G lets you take payment at the car, in the workshop or on a recovery call-out, so the customer isn't walking back and forth.
Deposits and invoices
Take a deposit before you order parts, or send a secure payment link for an invoice, by text, email or WhatsApp. You can also take payments over the phone.
What card payments look like in a garage
A garage's card payments are bigger and less frequent than in a shop, and the customers are different. Someone paying for an MOT is a different sale from someone collecting a car after a clutch replacement. Fleet and company customers often pay with business cards.
Bigger tickets turn the fee sums upside down. As an illustration only, not a quote: a 5p fixed fee (an example figure, not PayZu's price) on a £250 invoice adds 0.02%, which is almost nothing. The percentage is what costs you. So for a garage, ask for the percentage on credit cards and business cards, not only on debit, and work out what a typical month would cost on a recent statement. Business, corporate and non-UK cards cost more to accept than UK consumer debit and credit, so ask how each is priced. Our card machine fees guide explains why.
Taking a deposit is the simplest way to avoid being left with a part nobody collects. Send a secure payment link or take the deposit over the phone when the job is agreed, then take the balance on collection. Keep a signed job sheet or a record of the work the customer approved, with the date: if a customer later disputes a payment (a chargeback), that record is the evidence you'll want.
Bills over the contactless limit need a chip and PIN payment or a phone or watch. The limit can vary by bank, and our contactless guide explains how it works. A terminal with a physical PIN keypad is quick and familiar for customers paying a larger bill.
If you or your technicians work away from the workshop, such as mobile mechanics, tyre fitters and recovery drivers, a portable terminal with its own 4G connection means you take payment on the spot instead of sending an invoice. Our page for tradespeople covers that in more detail. Most businesses are up and running within 24 hours of receiving their terminal.
Which terminal?
The right card machine for a garage
PAX A35: for reception
A compact countertop terminal with a physical PIN keypad that can link to a compatible till. Quick for customers paying a larger bill at the desk.
See the A35
PAX A920 Pro: for the forecourt and call-outs
Portable, with 4G and Wi-Fi and a built-in printer. Take payment at the vehicle, in the workshop or at the roadside and print a receipt on the spot.
See the A920 Pro
What you get
More than a low rate
- Debit card rates from 0.29%* (T&Cs apply)
- £0 upfront, zero hidden fees, zero PCI fees
- Rates for credit and business cards shown separately, so you see the real cost
- Pay by link, phone payments and a virtual terminal for deposits and invoices
- Your own account manager and 24/7 UK support
*0.29% applies to UK consumer debit cards for businesses with monthly card takings above £100,000. Credit, business and international card rates, and rates for lower takings, are quoted individually. Subject to eligibility and status.
Already have a card machine? Send us a recent statement and we'll show you what you could save, up to 50% on some fees. If you're already on a great deal, we'll tell you straight. Already in a contract? Let us look into it and find you a saving. In most cases, subject to approval, we can help with your exit or termination fee. See our guide to switching card machine provider.
Can I take a deposit before ordering parts?
Yes. You can send a secure payment link by text, email or WhatsApp, or take the card details over the phone, so the deposit is paid before you order.
Can customers pay larger bills by card?
Yes. Bills over the contactless limit are paid by chip and PIN, or with a phone or watch. The contactless limit can vary by bank.
Why do company and fleet cards cost more to accept?
Business and corporate cards carry higher interchange and scheme fees than UK consumer debit and credit cards, so providers usually charge more for them. Ask for the business card rate in writing.
Can a mobile mechanic take payment at the roadside?
Yes, with a portable terminal such as the PAX A920 Pro. It has its own 4G connection and a built-in printer, so you can take payment and give a receipt on the spot. Signal varies by location.
What happens if a customer disputes a payment after the job?
A disputed payment is called a chargeback, and the card issuer asks for evidence. A signed job sheet or a record of the work the customer approved, with the date, is what helps. We can explain how disputes work when we set you up.
Get your quote
Lower card fees for your business
Tell us about your business and we'll come back with a personalised quote. You can also email a recent statement to info@payzu.co.uk.
- £0 upfront
- Zero hidden & PCI fees
- Your own account manager
- 24/7 UK support