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.

Can I book an MOT through Carsa?

Yes, we do. Carsa has service centres that can handle MOTs (as well as servicing and repairs). You can book an MOT through our Carsa Service website or by contacting one of our service centres directly. We have dedicated service locations (for example in Bolton, Cannock, Halesowen, and Towcester) ready to help with MOTs and maintenance.

Do you sell cars that have been in an accident or are a ‘write off’?

No, we don’t sell cars that have been written off or in serious accidents. Every vehicle we stock undergoes thorough history checks (for theft, write-off status, etc.), and we only sell cars with a clean title. So you won’t find any Category C/N/S/D write-offs in our inventory. If a car has had minor repairs in the past, that can happen, but anything that was an insurance write-off is not sold by Carsa.

Why has the list price of a car changed?

Our prices can adjust based on market conditions. We regularly re-price our cars using Auto Trader’s data and live market movements. If you see a list price change, it’s likely because the market value of similar cars shifted. Rest assured, any price updates are made to keep our pricing fair and competitive – we don’t change prices arbitrarily.

How do I choose the right car for me?

Take your time to think about what matters most to you – like budget, size, fuel type and features. You can browse our stock online using filters (for example, if you need a family SUV or a small city car). We also have friendly advisors who can help discuss options if you’re unsure. Basically, start with what you need from a car, and we’ll help you find a great match.

Can I get a discount for buying at a Carsa Store?

We price all our cars competitively upfront, so you'll get the same great deal whether you buy online or in-store. Our no-haggle pricing means you're already getting our best price, no need to negotiate!

That said, we do run promotions from time to time. You can check out our deals page to see any cars with active offers, but don't wait too long, as these promotions don't tend to stick around for long!

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Are your prices negotiable?

Our prices aren’t negotiable. We operate a transparent no-haggle policy – the price you see is our best price. This way, every customer gets the same fair deal without needing to negotiate. We regularly review our prices against the market to keep them competitive, so you can trust you’re getting a good value.

Can I negotiate on the price of a car at a Carsa Store?

No – the price is the same whether you’re at a Carsa Store or online. We have a no-haggle policy, so our prices are fixed and fair. You won’t be able to negotiate a lower price at the store; we’ve already done the work to price it competitively, so you can buy without the back-and-forth.

Can I buy a car at a Carsa Store?

Yes, you can. We have physical Carsa Stores (branches) you can visit. Even though you might browse and reserve online, the actual purchase and handover will happen at one of our stores. At the store, you can view the car, take a test drive (by appointment), and complete the paperwork with our team’s help.

I’ve changed my mind about part-exchanging – what now?

If you haven’t finalized the purchase yet, just tell us that you no longer want to part-exchange. We can adjust the deal so that you keep your car and pay the full price for the new car (minus any deposit you still want to put in). If you already handed over your part-exchange and completed everything, then the transaction is done and we typically wouldn’t unwind it. But if it’s before or during paperwork, you can back out of the part-exchange portion and we’ll recalculate the transaction without it.

When does my contract end?

Your finance contract will end once you’ve made all scheduled payments (and paid any final balloon payment if it’s a PCP). For example, if you took a 48-month term, it ends after the 48th payment (or when the balloon is settled). The specific end date will be listed on your finance agreement. You can also contact your lender to find out the exact date or remaining payments. In short, it ends when the loan is fully paid according to the agreement.

What deposit do I need to pay?

We’re quite flexible – you can put down as much or as little as you want, even £0 deposit if that suits you. Of course, paying a deposit (like 10% or any amount) will reduce your monthly payments, but if you prefer a zero-deposit deal, that’s possible too, subject to credit approval. So, in short, there’s no fixed required deposit; it depends on what you’re comfortable with and what the finance approval comes back with. Many customers choose to pay something upfront, but it’s not mandatory.

Once I've been approved for finance on a Carsa car, what are the next steps?

Congrats on the approval! Next, we’ll finalize the paperwork. You’ll likely receive a finance agreement to sign (often electronically). We’ll also arrange the vehicle handover details with you – such as setting a date for collection or delivery and taking any deposit payment if you haven’t paid it yet. Basically, once approved, it’s about signing the contract and then picking up your car. We handle the liaison with the finance company, so after you sign, we draw down the funds from them and you get the car on the agreed date.

What happens at the end of my PCP agreement?

At the end of a PCP, you’ve got three options: 1) Pay the final balloon payment to keep the car (this is also called the Guaranteed Future Value payment). If you pay that, the car is yours outright. 2) Hand the car back to the finance company. You’ll hand back the vehicle and, as long as it’s within the agreed mileage and in fair condition, you have nothing more to pay (if it’s exceeded mileage or has excessive damage, charges might apply). 3) Part-exchange the car for a new one – often customers will use any equity (if the car is worth more than the balloon) towards a new car. Basically, you can keep it, hand it back, or trade it in.

How do I apply for finance?

We’ll start with a quick pre‑qualification to estimate the APR you’re likely to be offered. You can run this check yourself on our website or call us and we’ll do it with you. Once you’re happy, we’ll complete the full finance application together over the phone.

How does part-exchange work?

Part-exchange is simple: you tell us about your current car (either online via a form or in-person at a branch) and we give you a valuation for it. This is usually a no-obligation quote based on the car’s details (age, mileage, condition, etc.). If you’re happy with it, you can then proceed with the trade-in as part of buying your new car. When it’s time to hand over, you bring your old car to us. We inspect it to ensure its condition matches what was described, finalize the trade-in paperwork, and then the agreed part-exchange value is deducted from the price of your new Carsa car.

How will my monthly payments work?

Your monthly payments will be set up as a direct debit with the finance lender. Typically, you’ll select or be assigned a monthly due date (for example, the 1st of each month). After you sign the finance agreement and take the car, the first payment usually comes out about one month later. From then, it’s an automatic monthly debit from your bank account for the agreed amount, on the same date each month, until the finance term is complete.