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.

Is EV battery degradation covered?

No. Gradual range loss as your battery ages is normal EV behaviour and isn't covered. The EV extended warranty contributes up to £1,000 towards a replacement only if the battery suddenly fails — it's the single most important distinction to understand on EV cover.

Do I have to use a specific garage for warranty repairs?

You'll need pre-approval from AutoProtect before any repair starts, but once approved the work can be done at a VAT-registered garage of your choice. Labour is contributed up to £100 inc VAT per hour. Repairs arranged without approval won't be covered.

My car still has manufacturer warranty — can I start my extended warranty later?

Yes. You can set it to begin on a future date so it kicks in when your manufacturer cover runs out. That way you're not paying for overlap and you get the full term out of it.

Do I have to keep servicing the car to keep my warranty valid?

Yes. The car must be serviced in line with the manufacturer's schedule (or every 12 months / 12,000 miles if there's no service history), and you should keep your invoices as proof. On EV cover there's a 21-day / 750-mile grace period if you can't service exactly on time, as long as you let AutoProtect know.

Does the extended warranty cover me in Europe?

Yes — up to 90 days per year driving in the Republic of Ireland and mainland Europe. As with any claim, you'll need pre-approval from AutoProtect before any work begins.

Can I transfer my warranty if I sell the car privately?

Yes. You can transfer the remaining cover to a private buyer for a £25 administration fee, which can add real value when you come to sell.

Can I cancel my extended warranty?

You can remove it any time before you take delivery, no problem. Once cover starts it's non-refundable, so it's worth deciding which term suits you before you drive away.

How does wear and tear cover work?

Wear-and-tear failures are covered as long as your car is under 6 years old and under 60,000 miles at the time of claim. Once it passes either threshold, only sudden mechanical breakdowns are covered and wear-related failures stop.

What do your warranty products cover?

Every Carsa car comes with a free 90-day warranty as standard. On top of that you can add an Extended Warranty for petrol, diesel and hybrid cars, or a specialist EV Extended Warranty for electric vehicles — both administered by AutoProtect and covering major mechanical and electrical components if they suddenly fail. You can see exactly what's included on each product page: carsa.co.uk/car-care/extended-mechanical-warranty and carsa.co.uk/car-care/electric-vehicle-extended-warranty. These are Mechanical Failure Warranties, not insurance products, and they're optional.

Can I return a car if I change my mind after purchase?

Carsa does not offer a returns policy for change of mind. We encourage customers to take a test drive and inspect the vehicle thoroughly before purchasing.

Do I need to book an appointment or can I just turn up to view a car?

We recommend booking an appointment and reserving your vehicle before visiting. Our branches are busy, and booking ensures the car will be at your chosen location and a team member will be available to help you. You can book online via the vehicle page.

Can I buy CarsaCover for a car I didn't purchase from Carsa?

No, CarsaCover is only available for cars purchased from Carsa.

Do you offer drive away insurance?

We don't have an affiliated insurance partner, but many customers use Cuvva for short-term cover — they offer policies from 1 day up to a year.

Are there age restrictions for test drives?

Yes, to take a test drive you must: be over 21 years old, have held your driving licence for at least 1 year, have not been involved in an accident in the last 3 years, have not been banned or excluded from driving, and have no more than 6 points on your licence. All test drives are accompanied by a member of our team. Please bring your driving licence with you.

How does the finance eligibility checker work?

Our free eligibility checker takes about 30 seconds and uses a soft credit check — so it won't affect your credit score. You'll need to provide your monthly budget, personal details (name, date of birth, contact info), address history for the last 3 years, and employment status. You'll then see your chance of approval, a personalised APR estimate, which finance types (HP or PCP) you may be eligible for, and an estimate of how much car you can afford based on your budget. These results are a guide to help you understand your options before you apply.

How does car finance with a guarantor work?

A guarantor is someone who agrees to be responsible for your car finance payments if you can't make them — essentially a safety net for the lender. They're typically a close friend or family member with a good credit history, usually over 21, and often a homeowner. Guarantor finance can help if you have a limited or poor credit history, as lenders feel more confident approving the loan with that extra security. However, guarantor car finance isn't that common these days — most finance providers don't offer it. If you're concerned about eligibility, we'd recommend trying our free soft credit check first (it won't affect your credit score), or considering a larger deposit to improve your chances.