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.

What credit score do I need to get car finance?

There isn’t a set score that guarantees approval. A higher score usually makes it easier, but customers with lower scores can still be approved if they can show steady income and affordability. The quickest way to check is through our free eligibility tool, which doesn’t affect your credit score.

What are the age and residency requirements to get finance?

You’ll usually need to be at least 18 and a UK resident with proof of address to apply for finance. Some lenders may consider alternative circumstances, but these are less common.

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

How much car finance can I get?

There isn’t one set amount, because it depends on your income, credit history, affordability checks and budget. For example, someone with a stable income and strong credit profile may be approved for more finance than someone with limited income.

If you want to understand how much the monthly payments may be on a vehicle, find a car on our website and use the finance calculator on the page. You can adjust the deposit, term, and mileage (for PCP) to see how the payments change.

If you want to understand what your APR may be, and how much you could afford, use our free eligibility checker. This won’t impact your credit score and takes a couple of minutes.

Can I get a car on finance?

In most cases, yes — as long as you meet a lender’s criteria. That means being at least 18, living in the UK, and showing proof of income. From there, the amount and type of finance available to you depends on your personal circumstances.

Our free eligibility checker will give you a view on whether you’re likely to be eligible for car finance. This won’t impact your credit score.

Am I eligible for car finance if I’m self-employed, on a zero-hours contract or not in full-time work?

Yes, you can still apply for finance if you’re self-employed, work irregular hours, or don’t have a full-time contract. Lenders may simply ask for extra proof of income — such as recent payslips, bank statements, or tax returns. If you’re unsure how this might apply to you, our eligibility tool is the fastest way to check without impacting your credit score.

Can I get car finance if I’m on benefits or Universal Credit?

Yes, some lenders will consider applications from people who receive benefits or Universal Credit, as long as you can show a steady income and demonstrate you can manage the repayments. A good credit history will make acceptance more likely.

If you’re not sure, use our free eligibility tool to see whether you’re likely to be eligible for car finance. This is free and won’t impact your credit score.

Can I get car finance?

If you’re over 18, live in the UK, and can prove your income, there’s a good chance you’ll be eligible for finance through one of our lending partners. Final approval will depend on your credit history and affordability checks.

The easiest way to be sure is to run a quick check with our eligibility tool.

Can I get car finance on a provisional licence?

Some lenders will consider applications from customers with a provisional licence, although you’ll have more options once you pass your driving test. With a provisional, lenders may limit the amount they’re willing to lend, or ask for extra steps such as a joint hirer or proof of a booked test date.

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.

Can I transfer my CarsaCover policy to my new car?

No, extended warranties like CarsaCover are usually tied to the vehicle, not the person. If you get a new car, you would need to purchase a new CarsaCover policy for that car. The existing policy on your old car can’t be transferred over to a different vehicle. In some cases, if you sell the covered car, the warranty can stay with the car for the next owner, but you wouldn't move it onto another vehicle you buy.

When does my CarsaCover policy start?

The CarsaCover policy begins when you take ownership of the car (typically from the delivery or collection date). So you're covered from day one of your ownership under the terms of the policy. For example, if you purchase an extended warranty, it will kick in immediately and run for the duration you chose.

My car tax is free, do I need to do anything?

Even if the car is in a zero road tax band, you still need to register it as taxed each year. The process is the same, but you won’t be charged anything. So you’ll need to go online or to the Post Office and 'tax' it (it will show a £0 fee). It’s important to do that so the car is officially recorded as taxed.