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.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
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.

Finance
can-i-get-car-finance-without-a-balloon-payment
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.

Finance
are-pcp-and-hp-eligibility-criteria-different
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.

Finance
can-i-get-good-car-finance-with-a-large-deposit
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.

Finance
can-i-get-car-finance-with-no-deposit
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.

Finance
can-i-get-a-new-car-with-existing-finance
What documents do I need for a car finance application?

Most lenders will ask for a valid form of ID (such as a driving licence or passport). You may also be asked for recent proof of address and proof of income, such as payslips or bank statements (usually dated within the last 90 days). Some lenders may request additional documents depending on your circumstances.

Finance
what-documents-do-i-need-for-a-car-finance-application
Can I get rid of my car on finance?

Yes, you can, but you’ll need to settle the outstanding finance balance first. This can be done in a few different ways:

  • Paying the settlement figure directly to your lender – You can request a settlement figure and pay off the balance in full.
  • Selling the car privately – Use the proceeds from the sale to clear your finance.
  • Part-exchanging your car with us – We’ll settle the finance as part of the new deal, and any equity left over can go towards your next car.

You may also have the option of ending your agreement early under what’s called “voluntary termination.” This is where, once you’ve paid (or are willing to pay) around 50% of the total amount payable on your contract, you can hand the car back and walk away. The exact amount will be shown in your agreement, and you may still be liable for charges such as damage or excess mileage.

If you’re within the first 14 days of signing your finance agreement, you also have a cooling-off period, which allows you to withdraw from the contract without penalty.

The rules vary depending on whether your agreement is PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) or HP (Hire Purchase), so it’s always best to check with your finance provider. They’ll confirm your settlement figure and explain your options.

Finance
can-i-get-rid-of-my-car-on-finance
Can I get a payment holiday on car finance?

Whether you can take a payment holiday depends entirely on your finance provider. Some lenders may allow it in certain circumstances, while others may not offer this option at all. If you’re already in an agreement, the best step is to contact your lender directly to discuss what support might be available.

Finance
can-i-get-a-payment-holiday-on-car-finance
This is some text inside of a div block.
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.

Can I use a PCP or HP financed car for commercial/business purposes?

Some of our lenders do offer finance for commercial or business use, but this may not be at the same rates shown on our website. Speak with our team and we can explore your options.

Do you provide charging cables and home installation?

We provide the charging cables that come with the vehicle from our suppliers — typically this includes the home charging cable. For specific details about what's included with a particular car, please speak with one of our team who can check for you.

What is your returns policy?

We don't have a change-of-mind returns policy. That's why we encourage every customer to view and test drive the car before committing - so you can be completely sure it's right for you.

Before collection, every car goes through a comprehensive multi-point inspection, HPI check, and preparation process to ensure it's fit for sale. If there's a genuine issue with the car after you've collected it, our Customer Care team is here to help.

If you're unsure about a vehicle, we'd always recommend booking a test drive first so you can make a confident decision.

Can I buy a car from Carsa if I live in another country?

Unfortunately we are unable to sell to customers who live outside of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

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.

Search for your next car today

Explore our extensive selection of quality used cars and find the perfect match for you.

Talk to us, anytime.

Our friendly team is just a message or call away.

Whatsapp

Message us on whatsapp, 24/7

Phone

Call us for quick support and guidance.

0330 040 1031

Finance eligibility

Takes 30 secs and has no impact on your credit score.

Car valuation

Get a no-obligation valuation on your vehicle.