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.

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What are your opening hours over the festive Christmas period?

All of our stores are running regular hours except for the following days. Please check the stores page for your local branch's usual hours.

  • Christmas Eve (24 Dec): 9am to 2pm
  • Christmas Day (25 Dec): Closed
  • Boxing Day (26 Dec): 10am to 6pm
  • New Year's Eve (31 Dec): 10am to 5pm
  • New Year's Day (1 Jan): 10am to 5pm

You can browse our full range of vehicles online 24/7 at carsa.co.uk, and any enquiries submitted will be picked up when we reopen.

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How does the finance application process work?

Here's how the finance process works once you've decided on a car:

  1. Check your eligibility (optional) — Use our free eligibility tool at carsa.co.uk/car-finance to see your likely APR without affecting your credit score.
  2. Reserve your car — When you reserve and collect, we'll do a soft credit check to confirm your likely APR. This rate is indicative and may change after the full application.
  3. Complete your finance application — You'll either receive a text message with a link to complete your application, receive a call from one of our team to do it over the phone, or you can call us to complete it.
  4. Wait for approval — The finance lender will review your application. They may request additional documents (like proof of income or address).
  5. Book your collection — Once approved, our team will be in touch to arrange your collection date.
  6. Sign at the branch — When you collect your car, you'll sign your finance paperwork in person.

If you have questions about your application status, you can call us on 0330 040 1031 or text us — our SMS service can look up your specific application details.

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Does Carsa sell cars that have been written off or in accidents?

No. Carsa does not sell Category write-off vehicles. Every car we sell goes through an official Auto Trader Provenance Check, which confirms there's no outstanding finance, theft or write-off history, and verifies the mileage is accurate.

Car Purchase
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Can I use my own external finance to buy a car?

Yes, you're welcome to use finance arranged through your own bank or another lender instead of our in-house options.

If you use external finance, a separate admin fee applies. For full details on fees, please see our administration fees page.

Just let our team know during checkout or when you visit the branch that you'll be paying with your own finance, so we can structure the invoice correctly.

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When will I receive my V5C logbook?

The V5C logbook is sent to you directly by the DVLA after we register the car in your name. You'll usually receive it within 4 weeks.

You don't need the V5C to drive or tax your car in the meantime. If it's been more than 4 weeks and you haven't received it, contact the DVLA directly.

Car Purchase
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What happens if I miss my appointment or don't show up?

If you can't make your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible so we can reschedule or cancel it for you.

If you don't turn up, your reservation fee won't be refunded. The fee is only refunded when you attend your appointment.

To change or cancel your appointment, please get in touch via our contact page.

Car Purchase
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What does it mean when a car is 'in preparation'?

When a car shows as 'in preparation', it means it's still going through our checks and reconditioning process. During this time, the car can't be reserved or booked for a test drive.

We would recommend leaving an enquiry on the car's page. This will ensure you are notified when the vehicle is ready. 

Car Purchase
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How do I make a claim on my Cosmetic Maintenance plan?

Need to get some cosmetic damage looked at? No problem – if you have purchased Cosmetic Maintenance, your  plan is there to help.

First, you'll need to check who your plan is with. Have a look at your policy documents – your provider will be either GardX or Shine.

Car Care
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What’s the CarsaCover cancellation policy?

You can cancel CarsaCover policies if needed. Typically, there's a cooling-off period (often 14 days from purchase) where you can cancel for a full refund, provided you haven't made a claim. If you cancel after that period, you may receive a pro-rata refund for the unused portion, minus any admin fee, depending on the specific terms of the policy. It's best to check your CarsaCover policy documents for the exact cancellation terms, or contact us and we'll help you with the process.

How can I make a claim on my CarsaCover tyre insurance policy?

To claim on the CarsaCover tyre insurance, please go to http://go.carsa.co.uk/cc and fill in the form. One of the members of our team will reach out. Let them know which tyre was damaged and how. They will usually direct you to an approved tyre center or send an inspector. If the damage is covered (like irreparable punctures or sidewall damage, depending on the policy terms), they will authorize replacement of the tyre. Follow their instructions and the tyre will be replaced under the policy (you may need to pay any excess if applicable).

Does CarsaCover cover pre-existing damage?

No, any pre-existing damage or issues wouldn’t be covered by a CarsaCover policy. Extended warranties and insurance plans cover you for new problems that occur after the policy starts. For example, if your car already had a scratch or a mechanical fault before taking out CarsaCover, that wouldn’t be claimable. CarsaCover is there to protect you going forward against unexpected repairs or new accidental damage.

How do CarsaCover payments work?

You can either pay for CarsaCover up front in a single payment, or sometimes we offer the option to spread the cost as part of your finance or via a payment plan. The details will be provided when you opt for the cover. Essentially, we try to make it convenient, either adding it to your car's finance agreement or paying separately by card. Our sales team will go over the payment options for any CarsaCover products you choose.

I'm selling my car. Can I transfer CarsaCover to the new owner?

In most cases, yes. The extended warranty (and possibly other CarsaCover protections) can be transferred to the new owner when you sell your car privately. Just contact us or the warranty provider to let them know you’re selling the car and want to transfer the cover. They will update the details to the new owner. If you trade the car in to a dealer, it may depend on the policy conditions. But generally for private sales, CarsaCover extended warranties are transferable to the next owner.

Will I get a courtesy car with CarsaCover extended warranty?

The CarsaCover extended warranty itself doesn’t specifically guarantee a courtesy car. If your car is being repaired under warranty at one of our service centres, we can try to assist with a courtesy vehicle if available, but it's not a formal part of the cover. It might depend on availability and the nature of the repair. So, you shouldn’t assume a courtesy car is included, but we will do our best to help keep you mobile.

How do I make a claim on my CarsaCover scratch and dent insurance?

For a carsaCover scratch and dent insurance claim, you would contact the carsaCover insurance team (details would be in your policy documents). Usually, you'll need to provide details of the damage (often photos) and then you'll be guided to an approved repair service. They'll fix the scratch or dent and the insurance covers the cost according to the policy (minus any excess). It's important to report the damage as soon as you can to get the claim started.

How can I claim on my CarsaCover extended warranty policy?

If something goes wrong that’s covered by your carsaCover extended warranty, you should contact either the Warranty administrator or Carsa. To contact us please go to http://go.carsa.co.uk/cc. We'll guide you through the process, which usually involves taking the car to an approved garage or our service centre. The repair facility will diagnose the issue and, if it’s covered under the warranty, they’ll fix it and we’ll handle the costs as per the policy (aside from any excess if applicable). Always reach out to us first to get the claim authorised before carrying out any repairs.

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