FAQs

Got Questions? We’ve got answers. Whether you’re buying your first car or trading in your old car, we’re here to make it simple. Explore our FAQs for quick, honest answers about Carsa’s process, prep, finance, handover, and more.

How will I receive payment for my vehicle when selling my car to Carsa?

Payment is processed on the day of your appointment once the sale is complete. Funds are typically transferred directly to your bank account and should arrive within minutes, though in some cases it may take up to 24 hours depending on your bank.

What do your warranty products cover?

Every Carsa car comes with a free 90-day warranty as standard. On top of that you can add an Extended Warranty for petrol, diesel and hybrid cars, or a specialist EV Extended Warranty for electric vehicles — both administered by AutoProtect and covering major mechanical and electrical components if they suddenly fail. You can see exactly what's included on each product page: carsa.co.uk/car-care/extended-mechanical-warranty and carsa.co.uk/car-care/electric-vehicle-extended-warranty. These are Mechanical Failure Warranties, not insurance products, and they're optional.

Can I return a car if I change my mind after purchase?

Carsa does not offer a returns policy for change of mind. We encourage customers to take a test drive and inspect the vehicle thoroughly before purchasing.

Do I need to book an appointment or can I just turn up to view a car?

We recommend booking an appointment and reserving your vehicle before visiting. Our branches are busy, and booking ensures the car will be at your chosen location and a team member will be available to help you. You can book online via the vehicle page.

Can I buy CarsaCover for a car I didn't purchase from Carsa?

No, CarsaCover is only available for cars purchased from Carsa.

Do you offer drive away insurance?

We don't have an affiliated insurance partner, but many customers use Cuvva for short-term cover — they offer policies from 1 day up to a year.

Are there age restrictions for test drives?

Yes, to take a test drive you must: be over 21 years old, have held your driving licence for at least 1 year, have not been involved in an accident in the last 3 years, have not been banned or excluded from driving, and have no more than 6 points on your licence. All test drives are accompanied by a member of our team. Please bring your driving licence with you.

How does the finance eligibility checker work?

Our free eligibility checker takes about 30 seconds and uses a soft credit check — so it won't affect your credit score. You'll need to provide your monthly budget, personal details (name, date of birth, contact info), address history for the last 3 years, and employment status. You'll then see your chance of approval, a personalised APR estimate, which finance types (HP or PCP) you may be eligible for, and an estimate of how much car you can afford based on your budget. These results are a guide to help you understand your options before you apply.

How do I make a warranty claim?

If something's gone wrong with your car and you think it's covered by your warranty, don't worry – we'll help you get it sorted.

Whether you're covered by your 90-day warranty or a Carsa extended warranty, claims are handled by AutoProtect. Here's how to make a claim:

Contact AutoProtect directly:

Phone: 01279 456 500
Email: iclaim@autoprotect.net

The claims process:

Report the issue – Give AutoProtect a call or drop them an email to let them know what's happening with your vehicle.
Get a diagnosis – AutoProtect will usually ask for a diagnosis from a garage. You can use any VAT-registered garage, but we'd recommend one you know and trust, a specialist for your vehicle type, or your local Carsa branch.
Submit your claim – Once you have the diagnosis, get back in touch with AutoProtect and they'll guide you through the next steps.
Need extra help? – If you've spoken to AutoProtect and are still having trouble, our Customer Care team are happy to help: Contact Customer Care

One important thing: Please don't arrange or pay for any repairs before your claim has been authorised – otherwise you might not be covered.

How do I tax my car when I collect it?

You'll need to tax the car before you can legally drive it away. Don't worry – we make this easy. We record the 12-digit document reference number from the V5C in our system, and when you collect your car, our team will help you tax it on-site using the DVLA website. It only takes a couple of minutes. You won't usually receive the green new keeper slip (V5C/2) at handover, but you don't need it – we have the reference number ready for you.

What’s the difference between PCP & HP finance?

PCP usually offers lower monthly payments and greater flexibility if you like to change cars every few years. However, you’ll need to pay a balloon payment if you want to own the car outright. HP has higher monthly payments, but once the final payment is made, the car is automatically yours.

What is Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) finance?

PCP is a more flexible type of finance where part of the cost is deferred into a final “balloon payment” (known as the Guaranteed Future Value). At the end of the agreement, you can choose to:

Pay the balloon payment to own the car.
Hand the car back, as long as it’s in good condition and within mileage limits.
Trade it in for another car, using any value left over as your deposit.

To see how this looks in practice, find a car on our website and use the finance calculator — you can adjust the deposit, term, and mileage to see how payments change.

If you want to see if you might be eligible for PCP, you can check your eligibility with our finance eligibility checker.

What is Hire Purchase (HP) finance?

HP is a simple and straightforward type of finance. You pay a deposit, then fixed monthly instalments over an agreed term. Once all payments (and any small option-to-purchase fee) have been made, the car is yours. HP is a good option if you know you want to own the car outright at the end of the agreement.

If you want to see if you might be eligible for HP, you can check your eligibility with our finance eligibility checker.

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Can I get two cars on finance?

Yes, some customers are able to take finance on more than one vehicle, as long as their credit profile and affordability are strong enough. Lenders may ask for extra documents or a clear reason for needing a second car.

Can I get finance with no UK credit history?

Yes, some specialist lenders will consider customers with no UK credit history, although they may ask for additional documents. These can include proof of your right to remain in the UK, two proofs of address, and an international driving licence.

If you’re unsure, check your eligibility with our finance tool — it’s a simple way to see whether you’re likely to be eligible for car finance

Can I get finance if I have negative equity or an existing car on finance?

It can be possible. Some lenders will work with customers who have existing finance or a small amount of negative equity (where the car is worth less than the outstanding balance). For example, if you part-exchange your car, the existing finance can sometimes be settled as part of the new deal.

To understand how much negative equity you have, you can get a part exchange quote on our website by following this link or by calling us up and speaking to an agent.