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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Can I get car finance with bad credit, CCJs, IVAs or bankruptcy?

Having a poor credit history doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be declined. At Carsa, we work with a wide panel of lenders, some of whom specialise in customers with CCJs, IVAs or even past bankruptcies. Approval can be more challenging, and you may be asked for extra proof of income, or, in the case of an IVA, consent from your insolvency company.

The best way to check is to use our free finance eligibility tool. It shows you your options instantly without leaving a mark on your credit file.

Finance
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How can I get car finance?

At Carsa, we make it easy to apply for finance in the way that suits you best. You can:

  • Apply online by finding a car on site and then selecting Reserve & Collect
  • Speak with a specialist over the phone for tailored advice.
  • Visit a Carsa showroom and apply in person.

Lenders will normally check your income, credit profile, and ID, and may ask for extra documents such as bank statements or payslips. If you’re unsure whether you’ll be accepted, our free eligibility tool is the best place to start. It won’t affect your credit score, and it gives you a clear idea of your options.

Finance
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How much warranty is left on the car I’m looking to buy?

Cars come with a manufacturer warranty when new, usually lasting a set number of years or miles. How much cover is left will depend on the car’s age, mileage and the manufacturer’s terms, so we can’t guarantee this for every vehicle. The best way to confirm the exact cover is to check directly with the manufacturer.

If you’d like extra cover, we have warranty products available at the time of purchase.

Car Purchase
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How many keys will my new car come with?

A lot of our vehicles do come with two keys, but we can only guarantee that each car has at least one. If the car has two keys, we’ll provide both.Because keys can occasionally be misplaced or damaged during transport or preparation, we can only confirm the exact number at the point of test drive. To secure your car for a test drive, simply find it on our website and book with a refundable deposit.

Car Purchase
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Can I see the battery health report for a specific electric vehicle?

Yes. We check the battery health of the electric cars we sell on site, as part of our standard inspection, so you can see how the battery's doing before you buy.

Electric cars use manufacturer-made batteries that are designed to last many years, and they're carefully managed with cooling systems and safety margins to keep them in good shape. Battery health is measured as State of Health (SoH), a percentage showing how much of the battery's original capacity it's still holding. A new battery is 100%, and a gentle drop over the years is completely normal.

You'll find each car's State of Health on its page. If you'd like to go through a particular car's battery in more detail, leave an enquiry and the team will be happy to help.

Car Purchase
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Do you offer cashback on a part exchange

There are a few scenarios where we would offer cash back on a part exchange, for example if the car you are buying is worth less than your part exchange. If you have a specific question about your situation, then please give us a call.To initiate the process, find the car you want to book on our website and book a handover with our online booking tool.

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How long does it take to remove a private plate and return to the original?

If you apply online, the change can often be completed immediately. By post, it usually takes 2–6 weeks, but can be as quick as 3 days. If the DVLA needs to inspect your car, it may take longer.

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Can I put a private plate on a car with finance?

Yes, but you’ll need permission from your finance company before making the change.

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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.

Does the car still have any manufacturer's warranty left?

Your car may still have some manufacturer's warranty remaining, but we can't verify it — we don't have access to the manufacturers' systems, and things like servicing or previous repairs can affect it. It's worth checking with the manufacturer directly if you have any questions. If you'd like, we can also provide additional warranty to cover the car.

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.

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