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.

Should I cancel tax and insurance?

Yes, but only after you've handed the car over. It needs to stay taxed and insured up until then, especially if you're still driving it.

Do I need to tell the DVLA after I part exchange?

Yes, once you hand over your car, it's your responsibility to inform the DVLA. You can do this online or by sending them the yellow slip (V5C/3) from your logbook.

Do I need to bring my car to a Carsa store?

If you're collecting your new car in person, yes, bring your part exchange with you. If you're having your new car delivered, we'll arrange to collect your old one when we drop off the new one.

What if my car has a private plate?

If you want to keep it, you'll need to put it on retention with the DVLA before handover. If not, we can leave it on the car, just let us know your preference and we'll handle the rest. You can remove your private plate here: https://www.gov.uk/personalised-vehicle-registration-numbers/take-private-number-off

What if my car has damage or modifications?

We assess each vehicle individually. Minor cosmetic damage or modifications may be acceptable and will be reflected in your valuation. However, we're unable to purchase vehicles with significant mechanical faults, accident damage, or structural damage. Please provide accurate details during the valuation process so we can give you an accurate quote.

What if it doesn't have a full service history?

We can still value and purchase your vehicle without a full service history. During the valuation process, you can select 'Partial Service History' if some records are missing, or 'No Service History' if you have none. This may affect your valuation, but it won't prevent us from buying your car.

Can I part exchange a car that's not in my name?

Yes, that's fine, as long as there's no outstanding finance. The person named on the V5C just needs to be present at handover and sign a quick consent form.

Can I part exchange if my car's on finance?

Yes, you can. We'll help you settle any remaining finance using the value of your current car. If your car's worth more than what you owe, the leftover amount goes towards your next one. If it's worth less, you can just pay the difference upfront.

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.