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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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.

Finance
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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.

Finance
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How much is my monthly payment?

The monthly payment depends on the car price, your deposit, the finance term, and the interest rate. Each car on our website can show an example finance quote with an estimated monthly payment. For a precise figure, we’d tailor a quote to your situation. We’d need to know how much (if anything) you want to put down, which car you are interested in and over how many years. For PCP we would also need to know your annual mileage. Then we can tell you exactly what the monthly cost would be.

Finance
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When will my CarsaCover payments start?

If you're paying upfront, it's paid at the time you purchase the policy (usually when you buy the car). If you're paying via a monthly plan or as part of your car finance, then the payments will start alongside your car finance payments – typically one month after you collect the car. Essentially, there's no delay: you'll either pay at purchase or your installments will begin in the first billing cycle after the sale.

Car Care
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Will my data be shared with Assurant?

Yes, if you take out a CarsaCover policy, we will share the necessary information with Assurant (the underwriter) to set up and administer your cover. Your personal data will be handled securely and only used for the purposes of providing the insurance/warranty service. We don't share data beyond what's required for your policy.

Car Care
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What is CarsaCover?

CarsaCover is the name of our extended warranty and insurance package offerings. It refers to the optional plans you can get for added peace of mind after the standard 90-day warranty. Under CarsaCover, there are products like extended mechanical breakdown warranty, as well as cosmetic protection plans (like scratch & dent, alloy wheel cover, tyre insurance, etc.). It’s basically our suite of aftercare insurance products to help cover you against unexpected costs.

Car Care
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Does Carsa offer delivery?

Yes. Carsa offers optional home delivery across most of mainland UK. We use a trusted logistics partner to provide this service, and the fee we charge simply covers what they charge us to move the vehicle safely to your address. If you choose home delivery, there is an additional delivery fee to cover the transport cost. The amount depends on the distance (we’ll let you know the exact fee upfront before you commit). If you opt to collect the car from one of our branches, there’s no fee for collection. So, collection is free, and delivery has a charge which varies by location.

Delivery and collection
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What are your opening hours over the festive Christmas period?

All of our stores are running regular hours except for the following days. Please check the stores page for your local branch's usual hours.

  • Christmas Eve (24 Dec): 9am to 2pm
  • Christmas Day (25 Dec): Closed
  • Boxing Day (26 Dec): 10am to 6pm
  • New Year's Eve (31 Dec): 10am to 5pm
  • New Year's Day (1 Jan): 10am to 5pm

You can browse our full range of vehicles online 24/7 at carsa.co.uk, and any enquiries submitted will be picked up when we reopen.

How does the finance application process work?

Here's how the finance process works once you've decided on a car:

  1. Check your eligibility (optional) — Use our free eligibility tool at carsa.co.uk/car-finance to see your likely APR without affecting your credit score.
  2. Reserve your car — When you reserve and collect, we'll do a soft credit check to confirm your likely APR. This rate is indicative and may change after the full application.
  3. Complete your finance application — You'll either receive a text message with a link to complete your application, receive a call from one of our team to do it over the phone, or you can call us to complete it.
  4. Wait for approval — The finance lender will review your application. They may request additional documents (like proof of income or address).
  5. Book your collection — Once approved, our team will be in touch to arrange your collection date.
  6. Sign at the branch — When you collect your car, you'll sign your finance paperwork in person.

If you have questions about your application status, you can call us on 0330 040 1031 or text us — our SMS service can look up your specific application details.

Does Carsa sell cars that have been written off or in accidents?

No. Carsa does not sell Category write-off vehicles. Every car we sell goes through an official Auto Trader Provenance Check, which confirms there's no outstanding finance, theft or write-off history, and verifies the mileage is accurate.

Can I use my own external finance to buy a car?

Yes, you're welcome to use finance arranged through your own bank or another lender instead of our in-house options.

If you use external finance, a separate admin fee applies. For full details on fees, please see our administration fees page.

Just let our team know during checkout or when you visit the branch that you'll be paying with your own finance, so we can structure the invoice correctly.

When will I receive my V5C logbook?

The V5C logbook is sent to you directly by the DVLA after we register the car in your name. You'll usually receive it within 4 weeks.

You don't need the V5C to drive or tax your car in the meantime. If it's been more than 4 weeks and you haven't received it, contact the DVLA directly.

What happens if I miss my appointment or don't show up?

If you can't make your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible so we can reschedule or cancel it for you.

If you don't turn up, your reservation fee won't be refunded. The fee is only refunded when you attend your appointment.

To change or cancel your appointment, please get in touch via our contact page.

What does it mean when a car is 'in preparation'?

When a car shows as 'in preparation', it means it's still going through our checks and reconditioning process. During this time, the car can't be reserved or booked for a test drive.

We would recommend leaving an enquiry on the car's page. This will ensure you are notified when the vehicle is ready. 

How do I make a claim on my Cosmetic Maintenance plan?

Need to get some cosmetic damage looked at? No problem – if you have purchased Cosmetic Maintenance, your  plan is there to help.

First, you'll need to check who your plan is with. Have a look at your policy documents – your provider will be either GardX or Shine.

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