Help & Support | CarShop (2024)

About CarShop and our vehicles

Why are prices so low? We are the used car supermarket division within Sytner Group Limited. We have over 5,000 quality used cars in stock, available online as well as in our 11 showrooms nationwide. We also have state-of-the-art Service Centres based at all of our showrooms, should you need a service, MOT or some maintenance carried out on your vehicle.
Where are your vehicles sourced from? Our buyers used their years of expertise to find only best used cars to sell at CarShop. They scour the UK to ensure we select only the very best vehicles to sell that meet our strict quality and safety standards.
What is the car preparation process? All our vehicles go through a thorough preparation process before reaching our showrooms, to ensure we're selling cars of the highest quality. This process includes a multi-stage inspection of the vehicle, a road test and if required an MOT before we complete any necessary mechanical or bodywork and a full valet. We also have three quality controls along our preparation process, to ensure our vehicles meet our high standards.
What is included in your inspection and safety check? We perform an initial inspection of the vehicle, before undertaking a detailed mechanical, body and safety inspection. Then the vehicle is plugged in to our diagnostic equipment, just to make sure we know if there are fault codes hidden away. Then we take the vehicle for a road test. Finally we MOT test the vehicle, where relevant, to ensure we know exactly what we need to do to meet our standard. If the car isn't up to it then we don't retail it. Only then do we begin to prepare the car for retail sale.
How long have you been around? CarShop was founded in Northampton in 1999, and grew to be 5 stores strong before being purchased by Sytner in 2017. Sytner also owned 4 The Car People stores in the north of England which were rebranded to become CarShop in 2019. We opened our Bristol store in late 2019 and our Nottingham store in December 2020.
Have your cars been checked? All of our vehicles are HPI clear and have been through our thorough inspection and safety check and preparation process before reaching our showrooms.
I checked the car and it has finance on it, why? Some of our cars are still being processed by our administration teams and it can take time for the vehicle check provider you are using to remove the finance company's record in the vehicle. Also we do place some of our cars on stock funding facilities. Rest assured, any remaining finance will be cleared before the car is handed over to you.
Are tyres checked during the inspection process? Yes! This is one of the checks completed during our safety check. If any tyre tread is below 3mm (the legal limit is 1.6mm) then we will replace it with a brand new one before the vehicle gets to our showroom.
What is the MPG, CO2 emissions for this car? We've made this information easily accessible on our vehicle pages on our website, you can find both of these figures underneath the images in the 'Key Facts' section. Please be aware however these are figures generated under test conditions and are only presented for information only.
Where are your stores located? We currently have 11 stores in the UK: Bristol, Cardiff, Doncaster, Manchester, Northampton, Norwich, Nottingham, Sheffield, Swindon, Warrington and Wolverhampton. You can find more information about your local store on our stores page.
Has a full service been carried out? As well as our safety inspection and detailed preparation process, we also perform an oil and oil filter change. Details of when your next service is due will be included within your welcome pack when you purchase your car.
When is the next service due? Our contact centre and store teams will be able to answer this for you.

Store transfer, home delivery and export

Do you charge a transfer fee to move a car to a store nearer me? For transfers to/between stores, a £169 transfer fee will be applied.
Must the car be paid for before being delivered? Yes, we require full payment on vehicles that are to be delivered. If you are taking out a finance agreement through us then that will have needed to be signed and paid out.
What happens if I'm not happy with the car on delivery? Please call us so that we discuss your concerns. However you are protected by distance selling regulations if you have not visited us at all during your sales process. Please see our terms and conditions for more information.
Can I collect the car from one of your other stores? Yes, you can request to have a car moved from one store to another. This can be done online during the Buy Online process, alternatively you can request this over the phone through our contact centre.

Reserving and purchasing a vehicle

How do I know if the car is still available? Our website reflects live availability, so you can rest assured that if your perfect car is available on our website, you can buy it! However, we do recommend that you reserve it to ensure nobody else gets in before you, plus the deposit to hold a vehicle is fully refundable if you change your mind!
Whats the process to buy a car? Buying a car is simple and hassle free. Just use our website to find the car you are after and we would then recommend reserving it online or through our call centre for just £99 with a fully refundable deposit. Then we'll contact you to arrange an appointment to come and see the car in our showrooms and allow you to test drive. If you're not sure what you are after then come to one of stores and our dedicated Customer Consultants will assist you with a personal shopping experience to find and test drive one of the cars from our entire group stock of thousands of vehicles. If you have a part exchange we can value that online or in store giving you 100% of what your car's worth based on live trade prices. We can also help you with payment finding the right option for you, including introducing you to a lender for vehicle finance (based on suitability). We'll then complete your transaction by handing over your new car either on the same day or at an appointed time which is more convenient for you.
I've seen a car online I'm interested in, how can I reserve it? Just use our website to find the car you are after and we would then recommend reserving it online or through our call centre for just £99 with a fully refundable deposit. The links to reserve the car are on the vehicle details page or alternatively phone us on 08082506281 option 1 and our dedicated sales team will help you. If you reserve online then we'll contact you to arrange an appointment to come and see the car in our showrooms and allow you to test drive.
I've reserved a car, when can I come and view it? To ensure your time in-store is reduced, it's best to reserve the car you're interested in online before coming into store. You can contact us to discuss finance options or book an appointment, or you can guarantee your part exchange valuation and get pre-approved for finance online before your visit! The majority of our cars are available to drive away the same day, so you won't be waiting weeks for your next car.
Can I see the car before I buy it? Yes of course! Please arrange an in-store appointment by calling 08082506281 Option 1, or visit your nearest showroom during opening hours. Please remember that you can also reserve the car online for a fully refundable £99, to ensure nobody else is able to purchase it before you've had the chance!
I don't have a credit/debit card, how can I reserve the car? If you are unable to pay by credit or debit card, please give us a call to discuss reserving the car.
I have reserved a car, how do I make an appointment to view and test drive the car? Once you've reserved a vehicle, we'll give you a quick call to discuss when you'd like to view and test drive it. You'll also be able to discuss your finance and part exchange options, or ask any questions you may have at that point.
I need to change / cancel my appointment to view the car, how do I do this? That's not a problem, please just give us a call on 0808 258 1464 choose Option 2 and the team will help you to rearrange.
I've reserved a car to view, is my £99 refundable if I don't like it? Yes! The £99 reservation fee holds the car for you to view it and is 100% refundable if you decide not to purchase.
How long is a car held for when reserved? We typically reserve the car for you for up to 3 days or until the vehicle is viewed and test driven whichever is sooner. Whether you choose to buy the car or not, we'll automatically release the reservation fee after 5 days back to you. No need to do anything!
How do I reserve a car? The last thing you want is to find the car of your dreams online, and find out it's gone before you get the change to see it in one of our stores! The best way to make sure this doesn't happen is to reserve the car online. When you've found the car you want, select the 'hold for £99' option on the details page and enter your details as requested, we'll hold the car for 3 days, and automatically return the £99 back to you after 5 days, whether you decide to buy the car or not. Keep an eye out for a call from us to confirm your appointment and to test drive the car.

If the car you want isn't at your local CarShop store, you can transfer the car to a more convenient store for £169, please note that this fee isn't refundable.

Can I reserve a car over the phone? Yes, but also remember that you can reserve it online using our secure online payment form. If you wish to discuss this with us, please call us, or come in to your local store.
When are your stores open? We're open 7 days a week, Monday-Friday 9:30am – 6:30pm, Saturday 9am – 6:30pm, and Sunday 10am – 4pm. Please be aware these times may differ around public holidays.
Can I come and visit you? Yes, please do! Check out cars we have for sale at your nearest showroom by entering your postcode on our search page.
Do I need to make an appointment to visit your store? You're welcome to come and see us whenever we are open but to avoid disappointment we recommend that you make an appointment prior to your visit. This helps us to prepare vehicles you may want to view, as well as reducing your time waiting around when you get here.
What is the CarShop Price Match Promise? If you find a similar car at another VAT registered professional motor dealer within 45 miles of the store your car is and its a lower price, then we promise to match that price. This can either be before you come into one of our stores to make a purchase, or within the 48 hours following your purchase from us. This is subject to terms and conditions, please contact us for more information.
Do you reduce your prices during sale periods? Our cars are all priced competitively according to the market, therefore we don't offer any additional discounts or promotions.
Why don't you negotiate on vehicle prices? We're confident that our prices are competitive so much so that we have a Price Match Promise, so if you find the equivalent car locally for less, we promise to match the price, even up to 48 hours after you've driven away!
Whats the best price on this vehicle? Thanks to our constant checks on local prices, we're confident our cars are all already priced at the best price. This is backed with our Price Match Promise, where if you find the equivalent car locally for less, we promise to match the price, even up to 48 hours after you've driven away!
Do you offer a discount for repeat customers? As we're confident we're priced competitively and already offering the lowest possible purchase price, we don't currently offer any additional discounts.
My budget is limited will you accept a lower price? Our cars are all already priced at the lowest possible price, with all prices reviewed daily and adjusted according to the market, so we operate a no-haggling policy. But bear in mind that we have a very high stock turnover, so if the car you like is above your budget, it's likely that a similar car that's within your budget may arrive soon! We also offer a Price Match Promise, so if you see a similar car locally for a cheaper price, we'll match it!
How much deposit do I need to put down to buy a car? The typical deposit amount we work with is £300. If you are using vehicle finance then this amount may depend upon the conditions of the lender you're borrowing from as well as your own circ*mstances.
Do I have to pay an admin fee? No, we don't charge admin fees.
Can I pick up the car and drive away on the same day? In the majority of cases yes, most of our cars are ready to leave on the same day. In the event the car you've chosen isn't quite ready to go on that day, one of our team will explain when you can expect to be able to collect it and make an appointment for you.
How much fuel will be in my new car? As we operate a low-cost model to keep our prices competitive for our customers, we don't fill our cars up with fuel before selling them, as this would increase the cost of them to purchase. Therefore, it's likely that your car will be low on fuel when you collect it, but our handover team will be more than happy to direct you to the nearest fuel station.
What documents / things do I need to remember to bring with me when I collect my car? A member of our team will go through the required proofs with you during your sale process. We will always need some form of official photo ID and the documents for your part exchange, if you're part exchanging with us. Please let us know if any of this is a problem and we can try to find a solution with you.

Payments including vehicle finance

Do you charge for credit card transactions? No. Payments made via debit or credit card do not incur a fee. However, we can only accept £500 maximum on credit card. All card payments excluding your initial reservation fee, must be paid in person by Chip&PIN. Our preferred method of payment is via bank transfer, plus don't forget you can use one of our finance products to pay for your new car too!
What are options to pay for my new car?

We offer a number of different options for payment. If you're paying for your new car via finance, then most of our customers choose either Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) or Hire Purchase (HP). We can offer various terms and deposits, to suit all budgets. We also are partnered with the largest broker in the U.K, who helps us find credit for customers with limited or poor credit history.

You can start your application online, in store or over the phone. Once you're pre- approved we will get you a decision within 48 hours, sometimes immediately! Alternatively, you can make your payment to CarShop using the following payment methods:
  • Debit card - After your initial deposit we can only take debit card payments in person using Chip&PIN. This payment method is not available if you have chosen to have your car delivered.
  • Bank transfer – This is our preferred method and the quickest way to pay us. Our bank details will be printed on your order form and further information will be in your welcome pack, which you will be given when you order your new car.
  • Banker's Draft, Building Society Cheque and Personal Cheque - We will required cleared funds for any of these, which will take 7-10 working days.
  • Credit card - You can only pay up to a maximum of £500 on a credit card. This payment method is not available if you have chosen to have your car delivered.
Do you accept cash payments? We do not accept cash payments, sorry.
What is the difference between PCP and HP? Please check out our car finance page to find out about the key differences between these types of finance.
How long does it take to get a financing decision? Our free online eligibility check will give you a quick indicator on whether we may be able to get credit for you, without impacting your credit score. From there we can collect the information from you for you to apply to one of our lenders. Their decisions can be instant and are always within 48 hours.
What information do you need from me to apply for finance? As an absolute minimum requirement to complete a finance application we will need at least 1 valid from of photo ID along with some proof of current address. Your lender will inform us if they require more.
When would my first payment on finance be due? Typically your first payment will need to be made one month after you sign your finance agreement. Please refer to your finance documentation for specific details about this.
Do you provide Finance? We are a credit broker and not a lender. We can help you to secure suitable vehicle finance from our panel of lender and our broker partner. Please check out our car finance page for more information. If you'd prefer to speak to us then feel free to give us a call and we'll talk you through your options.
What APR can I expect to get? We work with some of the biggest UK lenders (Blackhorse, MotoNovo etc.) to bring you the best deals for buying a car. We have a transparent credit score based model that offers you a rate based on your score with our finance check partner.

Part exchange vehicles

Can I just sell my car to CarShop without purchasing a car from you? We're happy to take any vehicle in part exchange, but we don't purchase vehicles outright.
What happens if I don't enter full details of my cars condition during the online valuation? When purchasing your new vehicle we will complete a full valuation of your part exchange vehicle with you present. Where you have an online valuation we will confirm the details you have provided. In the event that something differs then we will revalue your vehicle using our dedicated valuation tools in store and the latest trade pricing data.
What if I have outstanding finance against my car? Yes we can still take your car in part exchange that is still on vehicle finance. We will require the settlement figure for your part exchange from your finance company and need to settle that as part of your transaction with us.
What if I owe more than the car is worth? If your settlement figure is more than the vehicle is worth then we will discuss what options you have to pay to settle this difference to complete our purchase of the part exchange.

Support for your new vehicle

How do I charge my electric car? You're able to plug your electric car into a power source at home to charge it, plus there are an increasing number of charging points for electric cars all over the country, in car parks and fuel stations. Please refer to the vehicle manual for more specific information on this.
What is the road tax on the car? Road tax rates are calculated based on a number of variables such as the CO2 emissions, the vehicle's value and the year it was manufactured. To make this simple for our customers, we display the annual road tax rate for each vehicle on the vehicle advert, underneath the 'Key Facts' section.
I've collected my car but the parcel shelf is missing? Before contacting us, please check whether you saw a parcel shelf in the vehicle during your store visit and test drive. In some cases a parcel shelf may not be sold with the vehicle. We can check using the images of the vehicle on the advertising for you. Please call our Customer Support team on 08082506281 Option 4.
I've collected my car but a document is missing? Before contacting us please check whether this document is listed on the Handover Checklist that you signed at collection. We pass on all documents we receive when we acquire the car. If you believe a document is still missing then please call our Customer Support team on 08082506281 Option 4.
Does my car have an owners manual? Before contacting us please check whether the manual was provided by the handover colleague at collection. We pass on all documents we receive when we acquire the car. If you believe a document is still missing then please call our Customer Support team on 08082506281 Option 4.
Where is the locking wheel nut key? The Collections Consultant will have shown you the locking wheel nut key at collections and asked you to sign for receipt on your Handover Checklist. Typically the key is then left in the passenger glovebox in the vehicle. If you believe a it is missing then please call our Customer Support team on 08082506281 Option 4.
I've collected my car but the floor mats are missing? Before contacting us please check whether you saw the floor mats in the vehicle during your store visit and test drive. In some cases floor mats may not be sold with the vehicle or may be in a poor condition. In this circ*mstance we place the good remaining mats in the boot so if you wish to fit them you can and also replace any missing mats at your expense.
I've experienced a fault with my vehicle - what should I do? Please click here to tell us more about the issues to allow us the opportunity to address your concerns. Alternatively please call the Customer Support team on 08082506281 Option 4.
I've experienced an issue but the CarShop Customer Support are closed? Please click here to tell us more about the issues to allow us the opportunity to address your concerns. Alternatively please call the Customer Support team on 08082506281 Option 4.
How do I contact Customer Support? Please click here to tell us more about the issues to allow us the opportunity to address your concerns. Alternatively please call the Customer Support team on 08082506281 Option 4.

Servicing, MOT and Extended Warranties

What is the difference between the 90 day/3,000 mile Preparation Guarantee and the optional Extended Warranty? Our three month preparation guarantee covers you for you initial period of ownership, however it is your responsibility to get your vehicle to us if it breaks down, unless you've bought CarShop Advantage. Our extended warranties are for periods of 12, 24 and 36 months and including a complete RAC breakdown assistance package.
What happens if I buy a car and something goes wrong? Please contact our Customer Support team on 08082506281 Option 1 so we can discuss assistance to get your car repaired.
How do I claim on my Extended Warranty? The details on how to make a claim are in your policy document. Alternatively phone our Customer Support team on 08082506281 Option 1.
Is the manufacturer warranty still valid? Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that a car has a balance of manufacturer warranty. We would recommend to contact a manufacturer if you require assistance. We are able to offer, for eligible customers, our Extended Warranty as an optional purchase. Your Business Manager will discuss this with you.
Does CarShop offer roadside assistance? RAC Roadside Assistance is included for the duration of the cover when you purchase the Extended Warranty with your vehicle.
Does the car come with an MOT? All our cars come with a valid MOT with a balance of time before a retest is required. We MOT all cars at the point of preparation (when required) and will ensure you have at least six months remaining.
How do I book an MOT or Service? You can book an MOT directly with us by calling 08082506281 Option 3 or by filling in the request form on our service centre page.
Do you use genuine manufacturer parts? To ensure we keep your vehicle serviced to conform with manufacturer requirements we use manufacturer approved parts. We don't use manufacturer branded parts to keep the prices of our servicing down.
Why should I consider a CarShop service plan? Our CarShop service plans are a place to store funds for your car's servicing and access it when you need to so you can spread payments and use the funds when you need them. Our plans are available for up to 3 years, depending on the age of your vehicle. For details of the benefits of this, visit our service centre page.
Can the service plan be included in my monthly payment? Your service plan is a monthly direct debit - cancellable at any time for a refund of any unused funds. Unfortunately you cannot include your service plan in your vehicle finance agreement.
Can I purchase a service plan after I purchase my car? Yes it is possible to purchase a service plan at anytime. Please contact us on 08082506281 Option 3 to discuss your options.
Do you offer a courtesy car? To keep our service costs down we don't offer courtesy cars. However we do have a small fleet of vehicles for our customer service customers who need to bring their vehicle back to us for work.
Do you offer an extended warranty? We offer an optional extended warranty package on all of our vehicles, to give you that extra peace of mind. For more information about what this includes please contact us or visit our products page.

Getting in Touch

How do I get in touch? Please click here to tell us more about the issues and allow us the opportunity to address your concerns. Alternatively please call the Customer Support team on 08082506281 Option 4.
I have a concern about data or I want access to my personal data For full details please view our privacy policy page.
What if I am unhappy with the outcome of my concern? Should we be unable to reach an agreement and resolve your concern via our internal procedures, you may refer your complaint to a dispute resolution provider (known as ADR). To find out more, please click here .
Can I recognise a CarShop member of staff for their service or provide you with a suggestion or area of improvement? You can directly recognise someone by using our feedback form. Alternatively we do send an invite out to post a review to all our sales and service customers.

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Help & Support | CarShop (2024)

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