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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How much can I claim on my extended warranty?

There's no cap on the number of claims during your agreement. On a standard extended warranty each claim can be up to the purchase price of your car; on the EV extended warranty each claim is paid up to £5,000.

Car Care
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How much does the extended warranty cost?

It's a one-off price with no monthly billing. For petrol, diesel and hybrid cars it's £699 for 12 months, £1,099 for 24, £1,399 for 36 and £1,699 for 48 months. EV cover is £999 for 24 months, £1,199 for 36 and £1,399 for 48. Prices can vary for Jaguar Land Rover vehicles and cars over £30,000 — your Carsa team will confirm the exact figure at handover.

Car Care
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Is the Carsa extended warranty an insurance product?

No. It's a Mechanical Failure Warranty — not an insurance product, and not regulated by the FCA. It covers the cost of repairing covered components if they suddenly fail, and it's completely optional. Every Carsa car also comes with a free 90-day warranty as standard.

Car Care
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EV? ICE? Hybrid? Plug-in Hybrid? What does it all mean?

It's an alphabet soup out there, so here's the plain-English version. There are three main types of vehicle we sell, and the easiest way to tell them apart is to ask one question: do you plug it in, and what powers it?

ICE — Internal Combustion Engine. The traditional setup: a petrol or diesel engine, no electric motor, no plug. This is what most cars on the road still are. You fill up at the pump and go.

EV — Electric Vehicle (sometimes called fully electric or battery electric). Runs purely on a battery and electric motor — no petrol or diesel involved at all. You charge it by plugging it in, either at home or at a public charger. Cheaper to run per mile and nothing coming out of the exhaust, but you'll want to think about where you'll charge it.

Hybrid — A mix of both worlds: a petrol or diesel engine and an electric motor with a battery. The car decides when to use each to save fuel. Hybrids break down into two types, and the difference comes down to whether you plug them in.

Self-charging / mild hybrid — You never plug these in; they charge their own battery as you drive (partly through braking). Some are tuned for fuel efficiency, others for a bit of extra poke and smoother stop-start running — many BMWs, for example, use a mild hybrid setup for exactly that. Think of it as a petrol or diesel car that's given a helping hand by a small electric system.

Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) — As the name suggests, you plug these in to charge a bigger battery. That lets you drive a decent distance on electric alone (usually somewhere in the region of 20–40 miles, depending on the car) before the engine takes over for longer journeys. Great if you've got a short daily commute you can do on electric but still want the engine there for longer trips and no range worries.

The quick way to remember it: ICE never plugs in and has no electric help. Self-charging and mild hybrids never plug in but charge themselves. Plug-in hybrids plug in but keep the engine as backup. EVs only plug in, with no engine at all.

Car Purchase
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Do I need to cancel my direct debits for road tax or insurance?

Yes. Once the sale is complete contact your insurance company to cancel your policy. The DVLA will automatically cancel your road tax and refund any full months remaining. Cancel any direct debits to avoid being charged again though you should wait until you have received your tax refund first.

Sell Car
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How long is my guaranteed valuation valid for?

Your guaranteed valuation is valid for 7 days from the date it is issued provided the vehicles condition and details remain as described.

Car valuation and eligibility
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What happens after I accept your offer?

Once you accept our guaranteed valuation you will be able to select your preferred handover appointment time. You will receive a confirmation email with details of what to bring and what to expect on the day.

Sell Car
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What happens at my appointment?

The process typically takes 30-45 minutes. We will inspect your vehicle verify your ID via YOTI then complete the paperwork and payment if you are happy to proceed.

Sell Car
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When will I receive my V5C logbook?

The V5C logbook is sent to you directly by the DVLA after we register the car in your name. You'll usually receive it within 4 weeks.

You don't need the V5C to drive or tax your car in the meantime. If it's been more than 4 weeks and you haven't received it, contact the DVLA directly.

What happens if I miss my appointment or don't show up?

If you can't make your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible so we can reschedule or cancel it for you.

If you don't turn up, your reservation fee won't be refunded. The fee is only refunded when you attend your appointment.

To change or cancel your appointment, please get in touch via our contact page.

What does it mean when a car is 'in preparation'?

When a car shows as 'in preparation', it means it's still going through our checks and reconditioning process. During this time, the car can't be reserved or booked for a test drive.

We would recommend leaving an enquiry on the car's page. This will ensure you are notified when the vehicle is ready. 

How do I make a claim on my Cosmetic Maintenance plan?

Need to get some cosmetic damage looked at? No problem – if you have purchased Cosmetic Maintenance, your  plan is there to help.

First, you'll need to check who your plan is with. Have a look at your policy documents – your provider will be either GardX or Shine.

How do I contact Shine about my plan?

If your Cosmetic Maintenance plan is with Shine, here's how to get your repair sorted.

Your Shine! Protect policy is provided by AutoProtect, and the easiest way to make a request is through their app or website.

To make a repair request:

  • Download the Shine! Protect app (available on Apple and Android – just search "Shine! Protect")
  • Or submit online at www.shineprotect.co.uk

You'll need to provide:

  • Your registration number from your agreement
  • Your postcode
  • Your surname
  • Where the damage is on the car
  • What type of damage it is
  • A photo of the damage

If your damage is covered, you'll be able to pick a date, time and location for the repair, then pay the call-out charge. You'll get a confirmation with all your appointment details.

One important thing: Please don't go ahead with any repairs without getting approval first – otherwise you might not be covered.

How do I contact GardX about my plan?

If your Cosmetic Maintenance, Tyre & Alloy, or Paint Protection plan is with GardX, here's how to get in touch and make a claim.

To book a Maintenance Inspection:

  • Contact your local Carsa branch in the first instance – they'll be happy to help
  • If your branch can't complete the inspection for any reason, give GardX a call on 0203 192 1425 or email requests@gardx.co.uk and they'll find another approved agent for you
  • You'll need to have a copy of your Customer Schedule and terms and conditions handy

To request a Treatment:

To log in, you'll need the details from your Customer Schedule:

  • Your surname
  • Vehicle registration
  • Email address
  • Mobile number

If any of these details are missing or incorrect, drop an email to assureservices@gardxgroup.com or call 0203 192 1425 and they'll get it sorted.

One important thing: Please don't go ahead with any treatments or repairs without getting the go-ahead from GardX first – otherwise you might not be covered.

How do I make a claim on my Tyre & Alloy Wheel Maintenance plan?

Got some damage to your tyres or alloys? Your maintenance plan should have you covered.

Your Tyre & Alloy plan is provided by GardX. Here's how to get in touch:

To book a Maintenance Inspection:

  • Contact your local Carsa branch in the first instance – they'll be happy to help
  • If your branch can't complete the inspection for any reason, give GardX a call on 0203 192 1425 or email requests@gardx.co.uk and they'll find another approved agent for you
  • You'll need to have a copy of your Customer Schedule and terms and conditions handy

To request a Treatment:

To log in, you'll need the details from your Customer Schedule:

  • Your surname
  • Vehicle registration
  • Email address
  • Mobile number

If any of these details are missing or incorrect, drop an email to assureservices@gardxgroup.com or call 0203 192 1425 and they'll get it sorted.

One important thing: Please don't go ahead with any treatments or repairs without getting the go-ahead from GardX first – otherwise you might not be covered.

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How do I make a warranty claim?

If something's gone wrong with your car and you think it's covered by your warranty, don't worry – we'll help you get it sorted.

Whether you're covered by your 90-day warranty or a Carsa extended warranty, claims are handled by AutoProtect. Here's how to make a claim:

Contact AutoProtect directly:

The claims process:

  1. Report the issue – Give AutoProtect a call or drop them an email to let them know what's happening with your vehicle.
  2. Get a diagnosis – AutoProtect will usually ask for a diagnosis from a garage. You can use any VAT-registered garage, but we'd recommend one you know and trust, a specialist for your vehicle type, or your local Carsa branch.
  3. Submit your claim – Once you have the diagnosis, get back in touch with AutoProtect and they'll guide you through the next steps.
  4. Need extra help? – If you've spoken to AutoProtect and are still having trouble, our Customer Care team are happy to help: Contact Customer Care

One important thing: Please don't arrange or pay for any repairs before your claim has been authorised – otherwise you might not be covered.

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