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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

When will my next MOT be due?

If the car just had an MOT done as part of our prep, then your next MOT is due one year from that date. If it’s a nearly-new car under 3 years old that hasn’t needed an MOT yet, then its first MOT will be due when it turns 3 years old. We’ll let you know the MOT status and date when you buy the car, so you’ll know when to plan for the next one.

Can I test drive or reserve multiple cars before visiting a Carsa store?

We allow one reservation or test drive per customer at a time. Reserving a car takes it off sale for others, so we stick to one car per appointment. If you're interested in multiple cars, we'd recommend reserving the one you're most keen on first. If it's not right for you, you can then reserve another.

Will someone from Carsa come with me on the test drive?

Yes, one of our team members will accompany you on the test drive. They’re there to answer any questions about the car and for insurance purposes. It’s a relaxed ride – the colleague will sit in and guide you if needed, but you’ll get to drive and experience the car yourself.

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.

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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.

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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.

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How does the finance application process work?

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

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.
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.
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.
Wait for approval — The finance lender will review your application. They may request additional documents (like proof of income or address).
Book your collection — Once approved, our team will be in touch to arrange your collection date.
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.