The Purchase Process
Choose your next car with a clear plan
Buy online and arrange delivery within 5–14 days. Your payment remains protected, and you have 14 days to get to know the car before confirming your purchase.
Protection Explained
A clear process, with reassurance included
With a private sale, you generally carry out your own checks on a car's history and condition. Our purchase process includes an inspection, protected payment, warranty cover and time to return the vehicle.
Buying from a private seller
- Reliance on the seller's history and mileage information
- Possible mechanical problems missed on a short drive
- No protection through our payment holding account
- No dealer-backed warranty or agreed returns period
Buying your car from Central Cars
- 168 inspection points, advanced diagnostics and a complete HPI check
- Payment held securely until you accept the vehicle
- 14 days to drive and inspect the car before confirming acceptance
- 12 months of warranty for major mechanical components, including engine and gearbox
From Your Enquiry to Your Driveway
Four stages to follow. Clear terms before you begin.
Read the complete process before arranging payment. Your money stays protected until you confirm you are keeping the car.
Find your car and get in touch
Browse cars online with detailed photographs, specifications, a vehicle-history summary and a fixed competitive price. For further information, choose Enquire Now or call our team.
- We check availability and respond to your questions, normally within one hour
- Your contract and invoice are sent by email the same day
- Arrange everything from home without an appointment, at a pace that suits you
Check the agreement, sign and pay
Once you have signed, send your payment to the secure holding account. Your funds are protected there until the car has been delivered and you accept it.
- Before signing, your contract itemises the vehicle price, the fixed £200 administration fee, delivery charged at £0.30 per mile and any applicable registration fees. Further charges are not added afterwards
- The funds are released only when you accept the vehicle at the end of your inspection period
- Rejecting the vehicle entitles you to the full return of your held payment
Prepare the vehicle and arrange delivery
We start the clearing process after receiving proof of your payment. Following final checks and preparation, your car is loaded onto a fully insured transporter — arriving at your address without extra driving miles on the clock.
- Delivery normally takes 5 to 14 days after payment is confirmed. We keep you informed as preparation progresses
- Transport to addresses across mainland UK costs £0.30 per mile
- At handover, you receive the keys, registration documents, inspection report and HPI certificate
Get to know your car over 14 days
Your vehicle's arrival begins the 14-day test and inspection period. Use it for your usual journeys and, if you prefer, arrange an inspection by your own mechanic. Insurance continues for the whole period.
- Once you are happy with the vehicle, accept it to complete the purchase
- If it does not suit you for any reason, reject it and receive a full refund
- We arrange the vehicle's collection and your prompt refund in full — with no restocking fee
How We Set Our Prices
Where our value comes from
We source many cars directly from bank and lease repossessions, often while the vehicles are still relatively young. These sellers seek a timely sale. Pricing around recovery and preparation costs enables us to offer substantial savings against retail prices.
- One inspection standard for every car — our 168-point diagnostic checks apply to every vehicle, regardless of its source.
- A detailed history review — we complete an HPI check, verify mileage against the national register and clear finance before delivery.
- A year's mechanical cover — 12 months of warranty covers major parts, including the engine and gearbox.
- Two weeks to make your decision — spend 14 days inspecting the car and driving it on your familiar roads.
Returning a Vehicle
Three simple steps if you choose to return it
Whether the car differs from its description or is simply unsuitable, our three-step return process comes at no cost to you.
1. Tell us your decision
Telephone or email us within your 14-day period to request a return. You are not required to explain why you have decided against keeping the car.
2. Agree a collection time
Our team prepares a clear return agreement and arranges for a transporter to collect the vehicle from your address.
3. Get your payment back
We promptly return your full payment from the holding account, with no restocking charge.
Included with Every Purchase
The essentials are already covered
Insurance for transport and inspection
Your car is insured during delivery and throughout the 14 days you have to test and inspect it.
Every charge agreed in writing
Your contract shows the vehicle price, the fixed £200 administration fee, delivery at £0.30 per mile and any registration fees before you sign. There are no additional charges after signing.
A year's cover for major components
Every car includes 12 months of warranty cover for major mechanical parts, including the engine and transmission, supported by a national repair network.
Your documents at handover
When the vehicle arrives, its keys are accompanied by registration documents, the seven-page inspection report and the HPI certificate.
Further Information
Answers to common questions
Find your next car, when you are ready
Browse hundreds of checked, warranty-covered cars priced 30–60% below retail. Each purchase comes with protected payment, insured delivery in 5–14 days and 14 days to inspect the vehicle.