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.

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.