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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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.

Part Exchange
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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.

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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.

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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.

Finance
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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.

Finance
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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.

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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.

Part Exchange
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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.

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Is EV battery degradation covered?

No. Gradual range loss as your battery ages is normal EV behaviour and isn't covered. The EV extended warranty contributes up to £1,000 towards a replacement only if the battery suddenly fails — it's the single most important distinction to understand on EV cover.

Do I have to use a specific garage for warranty repairs?

You'll need pre-approval from AutoProtect before any repair starts, but once approved the work can be done at a VAT-registered garage of your choice. Labour is contributed up to £100 inc VAT per hour. Repairs arranged without approval won't be covered.

My car still has manufacturer warranty — can I start my extended warranty later?

Yes. You can set it to begin on a future date so it kicks in when your manufacturer cover runs out. That way you're not paying for overlap and you get the full term out of it.

Do I have to keep servicing the car to keep my warranty valid?

Yes. The car must be serviced in line with the manufacturer's schedule (or every 12 months / 12,000 miles if there's no service history), and you should keep your invoices as proof. On EV cover there's a 21-day / 750-mile grace period if you can't service exactly on time, as long as you let AutoProtect know.

Does the extended warranty cover me in Europe?

Yes — up to 90 days per year driving in the Republic of Ireland and mainland Europe. As with any claim, you'll need pre-approval from AutoProtect before any work begins.

Can I transfer my warranty if I sell the car privately?

Yes. You can transfer the remaining cover to a private buyer for a £25 administration fee, which can add real value when you come to sell.

Can I cancel my extended warranty?

You can remove it any time before you take delivery, no problem. Once cover starts it's non-refundable, so it's worth deciding which term suits you before you drive away.

How does wear and tear cover work?

Wear-and-tear failures are covered as long as your car is under 6 years old and under 60,000 miles at the time of claim. Once it passes either threshold, only sudden mechanical breakdowns are covered and wear-related failures stop.

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