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Germany dislike credit cards and pay small sums in cash. Anything substantial is done by Überweisung/bank transfer and has been forever.

I never had a cheque book in Germany.

How do you pay for a used car?

My father in law was a used Carsten salesman until he fetired two years ago.

Most used cars are bought using loans. I.e. the bank provides a loan specifically for bying that car, directly via the dealership.