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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Do I need to be a Carsa customer to have my car serviced?

No – our service centres are open to everyone, not just Carsa customers. Whether you bought the car from us or elsewhere, you can still book it in at a Carsa service centre for maintenance, repairs, or MOTs. We’re happy to help any car owner with servicing.

Servicing
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Can I book a service through Carsa?

Yes. We we partner with HiQ to provide servicing, so you can absolutely book your car in with us for routine servicing. Just visit our Carsa Service website or call the service centre, and you can schedule a service appointment at a location that’s convenient for you. We’ll be happy to continue taking care of your car’s maintenance.

Car Purchase
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When will I receive the V5 logbook for my Carsa car?

The V5C logbook is sent to you by the DVLA after purchase. It usually takes a few weeks; typically you can expect it within up to 6-12 weeks by mail.

Car Purchase
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How and when will I receive my car’s service history?

We’ll provide the service history documents to you when you get the car. If it’s digital, we’ll give you a printout or email, and if the car has a service booklet, that will be in the car’s documents pack. Essentially, at the point of handover (collection or delivery), we’ll hand you any service records or tell you how to access them. So you’ll have the history in hand right away.

Car Purchase
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How much will additional labour and parts cost?

The cost really depends on what needs doing. Labour and parts costs vary by the specific job. If your car needs extra work outside of what’s covered or standard, our service team would give you a quote beforehand. That quote will break down the cost for parts and the labour time involved. There isn’t a flat rate since it could be anything from new brake pads to a more complex repair. Rest assured, we’ll always inform you and get your approval for any additional work and costs.

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How often do I need to get my car serviced?

You should follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for your specific car. Generally, most cars need servicing roughly once a year or every 10,000-12,000 miles (whichever comes first). Some newer models have service indicators that count down based on usage. The key is regular maintenance – at least annually – to keep things running smoothly. During your purchase, we can advise when the next service is due for your car, and after that just stick to yearly or mileage-based intervals as guided by the car’s handbook.

Servicing
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Do you offer service plans for ongoing maintenance?

At the moment, we don’t offer pre-paid service plans. You would simply pay for services as you go. We’re here to service your car whenever you need, but we don’t have an ongoing maintenance subscription plan (often called a service plan). So just book in and pay per service as needed.

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When will my next service be due?

It depends on the car’s recommended schedule. Typically, cars should be serviced once a year or roughly every 10,000-12,000 miles (whichever comes first). If we’ve just serviced the car before delivery, your next service would likely be due in about a year from that service date. We’ll let you know the last service date and any upcoming due dates when you purchase the car.

Car Purchase
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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.

Are PCP and HP eligibility criteria different?

Yes, they can be. PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) sometimes has stricter criteria, because it involves a larger deferred payment (the optional final payment). HP (Hire Purchase) tends to be more straightforward, as you’re paying the full balance of the car over the term. Ultimately, it depends on the individual lender’s requirements.

Can I get good car finance with a large deposit?

A larger deposit usually lowers your monthly payments and may improve your chances of being accepted. However, on PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) agreements, some lenders cap the maximum deposit you can put down. 

If you want to understand how a larger deposit may increase your monthly payments, find a car on our website and use the finance calculator on the page. You can adjust the deposit, term, and mileage (for PCP) to see how the payments change.

Can I get car finance with no deposit?

Yes, many lenders offer no-deposit finance, meaning you can drive away without paying anything upfront. Keep in mind that putting down a deposit can reduce your monthly payments, so it’s worth experimenting with the calculator on our car pages to see the difference.

If you want to understand how much the monthly payments may be on a vehicle, find a car on our website and use the finance calculator on the page. You can adjust the deposit, term, and mileage (for PCP) to see how the payments change.

Can I get a new car with existing finance?

It’s often possible. Some lenders may require you to settle your existing finance agreement first, which can be done by part-exchanging your current car or selling it privately. Others may allow you to take out a second agreement if your credit profile and affordability are strong enough. To see what applies in your case, start with our free eligibility tool.

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