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 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.

Can I get car finance without a balloon payment?

Yes. If you’d prefer not to have a balloon (final) payment, a Hire Purchase (HP) agreement might be more suitable. With HP, you make fixed monthly payments until the balance is cleared, and once the final payment is made (plus any small option-to-purchase fee), the car is yours outright.

How much can I claim on my extended warranty?

There's no cap on the number of claims during your agreement. On a standard extended warranty each claim can be up to the purchase price of your car; on the EV extended warranty each claim is paid up to £5,000.

How much does the extended warranty cost?

It's a one-off price with no monthly billing. For petrol, diesel and hybrid cars it's £699 for 12 months, £1,099 for 24, £1,399 for 36 and £1,699 for 48 months. EV cover is £999 for 24 months, £1,199 for 36 and £1,399 for 48. Prices can vary for Jaguar Land Rover vehicles and cars over £30,000 — your Carsa team will confirm the exact figure at handover.

Is the Carsa extended warranty an insurance product?

No. It's a Mechanical Failure Warranty — not an insurance product, and not regulated by the FCA. It covers the cost of repairing covered components if they suddenly fail, and it's completely optional. Every Carsa car also comes with a free 90-day warranty as standard.

EV? ICE? Hybrid? Plug-in Hybrid? What does it all mean?

It's an alphabet soup out there, so here's the plain-English version. There are three main types of vehicle we sell, and the easiest way to tell them apart is to ask one question: do you plug it in, and what powers it?

ICE — Internal Combustion Engine. The traditional setup: a petrol or diesel engine, no electric motor, no plug. This is what most cars on the road still are. You fill up at the pump and go.

EV — Electric Vehicle (sometimes called fully electric or battery electric). Runs purely on a battery and electric motor — no petrol or diesel involved at all. You charge it by plugging it in, either at home or at a public charger. Cheaper to run per mile and nothing coming out of the exhaust, but you'll want to think about where you'll charge it.

Hybrid — A mix of both worlds: a petrol or diesel engine and an electric motor with a battery. The car decides when to use each to save fuel. Hybrids break down into two types, and the difference comes down to whether you plug them in.

Self-charging / mild hybrid — You never plug these in; they charge their own battery as you drive (partly through braking). Some are tuned for fuel efficiency, others for a bit of extra poke and smoother stop-start running — many BMWs, for example, use a mild hybrid setup for exactly that. Think of it as a petrol or diesel car that's given a helping hand by a small electric system.

Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) — As the name suggests, you plug these in to charge a bigger battery. That lets you drive a decent distance on electric alone (usually somewhere in the region of 20–40 miles, depending on the car) before the engine takes over for longer journeys. Great if you've got a short daily commute you can do on electric but still want the engine there for longer trips and no range worries.

The quick way to remember it: ICE never plugs in and has no electric help. Self-charging and mild hybrids never plug in but charge themselves. Plug-in hybrids plug in but keep the engine as backup. EVs only plug in, with no engine at all.

Do I need to cancel my direct debits for road tax or insurance?

Yes. Once the sale is complete contact your insurance company to cancel your policy. The DVLA will automatically cancel your road tax and refund any full months remaining. Cancel any direct debits to avoid being charged again though you should wait until you have received your tax refund first.

How long is my guaranteed valuation valid for?

Your guaranteed valuation is valid for 7 days from the date it is issued provided the vehicles condition and details remain as described.

What happens after I accept your offer?

Once you accept our guaranteed valuation you will be able to select your preferred handover appointment time. You will receive a confirmation email with details of what to bring and what to expect on the day.

What happens at my appointment?

The process typically takes 30-45 minutes. We will inspect your vehicle verify your ID via YOTI then complete the paperwork and payment if you are happy to proceed.