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Frequently Asked Questions

Click the relevant headline below to view some of our Frequently Asked Questions:

About the cars

What is a ‘Pre-order’ car?

A ‘Pre-order’ is a car that has just been, or is about to be returned to the Seller by its current driver. Before this happens, you are given the opportunity to secure it. Please see ‘Who are the Sellers of the cars?’ below.

Your Handling Fee secures this car for you. Once the car has been returned it will go to Tesco Cars preparation centre where we will arrange for the RAC Inspection Plus to be completed. The RAC Inspected Plus report and photo gallery will then be made available to you from within your account, prior to you making your final purchasing decision. If the car does not meet the Tesco Cars quality standard at this inspection, we will contact you to discuss this, and offer you an alternative.

Pre-order Cars will have the indicated “available date” on each car listing. This date is a representation of the timescale we receive from the Seller and cannot be relied upon as the Handover Date. Every effort is taken to ensure this date is adhered to but if this date changes at any point we will do our upmost to inform you immediately.

Why does it take 3-4 weeks for Pre-order cars?

Pre-order cars will have an indicated “earliest handover date” at the top of each listing, typically 3-4 weeks. This is because we need to receive the car you chose and our direct access means it officially hasn't entered the market yet!

Once your car is received, we enlist the RAC to inspect it. We provide their reports along with a full photo gallery and HPI history check within your account. You are then given time to review the full detailed listing and if you're happy arrange your handover / delivery date.

What is a ‘Buy it now’ car?

A ‘Buy it now’ car is already in stock at Tesco Cars. For these cars you can see the RAC Inspection Plus report, video test drive and photo gallery as well as the full description.

On a ‘Buy it now’ car, you will be able to arrange a handover date immediately and drive away in as little as 1 working day.

The car I found is no longer on the site - will it come back?

This probably means the car has been reserved by another customer. If you call one of our customer support team, they will be able to update you on the individual car status or help find you an alternative vehicle.

Who are the sellers of the cars?

In most cases, Tesco Cars act as an agent on behalf of various legal sellers who are blue chip and leasing companies which between them sell over 1 million vehicles per year.

How many owners have the cars had?

The majority of the cars are one owner but this will be detailed in your listing's HPI history report. See ‘What is an HPI report’.

Why are your prices lower than a dealership?

Where we are not the seller, we act on behalf of the seller of the vehicles, and as a result can source the cars directly from good quality providers (banks, leasing companies and manufacturers), and by offering the vehicles to you online, we can reduce our selling costs and pass this value on to our customers. We don't have stocking costs, expensive showrooms, or commission based sales people, so these savings are all yours. See ‘Who are the sellers of the cars?’

How often does Tesco Cars refresh the list of cars available?

Tesco Cars advertises up to 5,000 cars every week, and fresh models are added to our website every day.

How can I trust the quality of the cars?

We check that all vehicles sold on Tesco Cars (in conjunction with the seller of the cars) meet the Tesco Cars Standard, which means they must have passed the RAC Inspection Plus, passed a detailed HPI check and adhere to our stringent quality control standard. Typically the cars are only one owner, and come with a detailed service history.

What is the Tesco Cars Standard?

Tesco Cars want to ensure a consistency of car offered. We therefore have a multi-point, superior inspection carried out by the RAC. Should the car have any area that does not come up to this standard then the RAC will make a comment on their report, which will be available for you to look at online before we progress the sale and we will discuss with you. Please remember you can walk away from the purchase at any time before handover and you will receive a full refund of your Handling Fee.

What after sales service do you provide?

All cars come with a free RAC Platinum warranty, so if you have any initial problems with your vehicle, you can contact our warranty provider whose contact details will be in your handover pack. We absolutely want you to be happy with your purchase, so if you have any questions or concerns, you can contact our Customer Services 7 days a week.

We have also partnered with the National Service Network garage group, who will operate as Tesco Autocentres (www.tescoautocentres.com). They can offer MOT, Servicing, and other general vehicle repairs at up to 30% less than main dealer garages. More importantly, all their garages are quality checked, and you can be assured of good workmanship, a fair price and 12 month guarantee on all parts and work carried out.

What is the difference between a daily rental and lease car?

Tesco Cars offers both ex-daily rental and ex-lease cars, the type will be specified in the header details of each listing. There are various benefits to each of these cars.

Ex-lease cars
  • The majority of lease cars are supplied with service histories and have been well maintained in respect of service, maintenance and repair.
  • Vehicle provenance is assured, the leasing company being the only registered keeper/owner from new, and in the majority of cases the same driver throughout the life of the contract.
  • Leasing companies impose strict controls on drivers in respect of maintenance and condition.
  • Leasing companies purchase large volumes of vehicles at discount rates, meaning we are able to pass these savings on to you.
Ex-rental cars
  • Vehicle provenance is assured, the rental company being the only registered keeper/owner from new.
  • All daily rental cars sold via Tesco Cars.com will be serviced in line with the manufacturer recommendations.
  • The majority of rental cars supplied by Tesco Cars are less than 12 months old, with the balance of the manufacturer's warranty remaining.
  • The majority of rental companies stipulate a minimum age of 25 for hire, excluding the highest risk category of drivers.
  • Rental cars are inspected and valeted each time they're hired out, with any major cosmetic damage rectified and mechanical issues repaired under the manufacturer's warranty.
  • Rental companies purchase large volumes of vehicles at discount rates, meaning we are able to pass on these savings to you.

How many keys are provided with the car?

Every car will be supplied with at least one key suitable for operating all locks on the vehicle. We do not guarantee that any additional keys, including 'master' keys, will be provided. If any additional keys are available they will be supplied with the vehicle free of charge.

Viewings and test drives

Can I view the car before reserving it?

Yes - all ‘Buy it now’ vehicles are available to view at the location shown in the listing. Call us on 08443 814101 or click the ‘Arrange a Viewing’ button from within the car listing. All viewings are by appointment only.

As ‘Pre-order’ cars have not yet arrived at our premises you will not be able to arrange a viewing until it arrives at our premises.

Please note that a car is only removed from sale once it has been secured with a Handling Fee payment. Therefore, if you arrange to view a car that you haven’t reserved, it is possible someone else may reserve and remove it from sale in the meantime.

Can I test drive the vehicle?

Unfortunately we cannot offer test drives before purchase. However, every car is taken on a thorough road test by the RAC. A video of this test drive will be provided to you as part of your RAC report.

RAC vehicle inspections

What's included in a RAC Inspection Plus?

The RAC Inspection Plus takes place in two parts – initially a mechanical inspection, which includes under bonnet, lights levels, internal operations, and a ramped underside inspection and a multi-speed road test. The second part is the body condition report. All detailed reports, including a video of the RAC test drive, will be made available to you online for your evaluation. Any vehicle deemed not to meet the overall Tesco Cars quality standard by the RAC will be rejected from the channel and the prospective buyer notified. In all cases, we will endeavour to find you an alternative vehicle to suit your requirements.

Car history

What will you tell me about the car's history?

Most vehicles are between 6 months and 3 years old. Where service work has been recorded by the Seller it will be detailed on the listing of the car. Mileage at each service will be included for your information. Previous services may not include cambelt changes.

What is a HPI check?

In addition to RAC inspections, all cars are HPI checked. A HPI report examines a vehicle's status under all legal registers and provides you with information about your vehicle. It gives you peace of mind that all the cars are not on any police or insurance company register, have no outstanding finance, and that they haven't been previously declared stolen or accident damaged deemed not repairable. For more details, please visit: http://www.hpicheck.com/furniture/guarantee.html

HPI will also highlight the number of previous owners and the registration date of the car. Please note the report will not count the current owner, hence a report showing a car having ‘0’ previous owners, means it has been owned just once. Where a car has a registered class disabled, Tesco Cars will, at times, change this back to normal PLG for you. This will enable the car to be taxed as a normal car without you having to go through the process at the DVLA. In these cases Tesco Cars name would appear as a further keeper.

Vat, Tax and Warranty

Are the cars VAT qualifying?

VAT qualifying means that an element of VAT can be taken out of the car if used solely for business by a VAT registered company or the car is exported. Please check with your local VAT office for more details. If the car is VAT qualifying we will indicate this to you on the listing.

Are the cars supplied with Vehicle tax?

The vehicles are delivered to us without vehicle tax but to comply with Road Traffic Regulations they need to taxed before they leave us. So once you have reviewed your RAC Inspection Plus report, the Photo Gallery and confirmed your handover date we would be pleased to tax the car on your behalf. We charge a small admin fee in addition to your preferred tax payment period of 6 or 12 months, which we will discuss when your handover is being arranged.

What about warranty?

The car will be supplied with the remainder of the manufactures warranty or a 1 month free RAC Platinum Warranty - whichever is the greater.

You can extend your free warranty to cover 1, 2 or 3 years. Please visit our RAC Warranty page for full details or to purchase a longer term. Alternatively, please speak with our Customer Support Team who will be very happy to explain the warranty options available for you.

Car insurance

Are the cars supplied with car insurance?

You are responsible for ensuring the correct insurance cover is in place at the time of handover. However, for your convenience we offer (subject to terms and conditions) a free 7 day cover with Aviva insurance via your account. Please note we will need to see your proof of insurance cover at handover before we can release your car. We will provide your Aviva insurance cover on collection/delivery of your car. Aviva cover is only available for drivers over 25 years of age.

How does the free 7 day insurance work?

Your free 7 day Aviva insurance cover note insures you for the first 7 days of ownership of your vehicle. After this time, you will receive further literature from Aviva regarding continued cover.

How can I get the 7 day insurance?

Our partner, Aviva, offers all Tesco Car buyers (aged 25 years and above) 7 days free insurance cover. You can arrange this through your account after you have selected your handover date. Your cover note will then be e-mailed directly to your agent within an hour ready for your delivery/collection.

Finance and Payment

What is the Handling Fee for?

On paying your £99 Handling Fee, Tesco Cars will arrange with you a convenient handover or delivery date, administer the sale with the seller for you, prepare the car and paperwork for your collection and be there to assist you with your inspection and handover.

How do I pay my Handling Fee?

To secure a car, a £99 Handling Fee payment is required. You can do this by selecting ‘Buy it Now’ within the listing and registering with Tesco Cars. Alternatively, you can call us and make a payment over the phone. With either option, you must register an account online.

The Handling Fee can be paid either with a credit or debit card. Completing both payment and registration confirms reservation of your vehicle and it will then be removed from sale. Please note that the Handling Fee is an additional payment to the cost of the car.

In the event that you wish to cancel the sale, you can do so at any point prior to (or at) handover, and your Handling Fee will be returned in full. Please note if you change your mind within 7 days post purchase, you will not be entitled to a refund of your Handling Fee.

Can I make a lower offer on the car?

Tesco Cars puts every effort into ensuring you’re offered the best possible price on the cars. This means you don't have to negotiate, as the car is already listed at a competitively low price by our sellers.

Can I register after payment?

Yes, you can call our Customer Support team who will be happy to take a Handling Fee payment from you over the phone and register you, which will then remove the car from sale. You will then get the full benefits of your account and can move along the buying process.

Do you offer finance?

Finance is available on all of our vehicles subject to status. Please see our finance section for more information.

What are my payment options for the balance of my car?

We will accept payment by debit card (if collecting in person), or by electronic transfer. Unfortunately all other forms of payment, such as cash, cheques, building society cheque, bank drafts and credit cards are not accepted.

If paying by electronic transfer, please ensure the payment is made in sufficient time such that the funds are received before your handover. A typical bank transfer takes 3 – 4 days to clear.

We require cleared funds before we are able to release the vehicle.

Do you offer part exchange?

We currently do not offer this service. However, there are numerous part exchange organizations who provide a quick solution for you to dispose of your current vehicle. We recommend you visit Direct Gov/motoring for helpful advice on selling your car safely.

What is EPDQ?

We provide an ePDQ payment service for you to safely make your £99 handling fee payment. The ePDQ Payment Interface is a secure payment page hosted on the Barclaycard Business server. All transaction data is encrypted and firewall technology is used to stop illegal access or direct exposure to the internet. Barclaycard also handles all customer details so you don't have to worry about sensitive information being stored.

These services are provided by Barclaycard Merchant Services.

My Account

How will you support me?

We operate a policy of no sales pressure, but our friendly Customer Support team is always on hand to help.

We will help you with any query relating to your chosen car and we have a wide knowledge of vehicles if you need any help with the decision making process. You can contact us directly by:

  • Using the ‘Got a question’ button.
  • Emailing us at: info@tescocars.com
  • Phoning on: 08443 814101*

* Calls to 0844 numbers cost 5ppm from BT landlines.

What is My Account?

Your account is your personal online hub to keep you fully informed of each step of the buying process. It will prompt you when you need to take any actions such as arranging a handover date. Your account also holds all the information relating to your purchase such as warranty and insurance details.

Your account will be accessible once you register or login to the Tesco Cars website.

What are the opening times for the Customer Enquiry Centre?

Our opening times are as follows:

Monday – Friday: 8am – 6pm

Saturday: 9am – 5pm

Sunday: 10am – 4pm

What are the opening times for the Handover Centre?

Our Handover Centre is open:

Monday – Friday: 8am – 6pm

Saturday: 9am – 5pm

Sunday: 10am – 4pm

Documentation

What documentation do I need for when I get my car?

You will need to provide proof of identity (passport or photo driving license), showing that you are the person we have on record as the buyer of the car. You will also need something with your address on. If you have chosen to take the 7 day free insurance then we shall arrange for this to be present at the handover.

What Documentation will be provided to me at handover?

At handover you will be presented with your ‘Handover pack’ which holds all the documents and receipts in reference to your transaction, including:

  • 7 day free Insurance documents (subject to prior application and status)
  • V5 or V51C
  • Original RAC Inspection Reports
  • Your transaction receipts
  • RAC Warranty Certificate and Policy Booklet
  • MOT Certificate (if applicable)
  • Service History (if shown in listing)
  • Hand Over Document

What are my handover options?

You can either collect your car or have it delivered to your work or home address. As part of the process our team will work with you to establish which option best suits your needs. For a fixed price of £149, we will deliver the car to anywhere in the UK mainland. (For customers who live in NI, Isle of Man, IOW etc, we will be happy to deliver the car to the nearest mainland port for buyer collection).

Collection

Where are the cars located?

All Buy It Now vehicle locations are clearly marked within the listing. Full directions will be provided to you before viewings and collections.

How do I come and collect a car?

If you wish to collect your car from our handover centre then you can arrange a date and time with your Customer Support Agent. Accepting the vehicle at handover requires cleared payment by one of our accepted methods.

On the day, you’ll need to bring the required documentation and be asked to examine the car to make sure you’re happy. You’ll sign a handover note at which point documentation relating to the vehicle will be handed over and you will become the vehicle owner.

Can I send someone to collect the car on my behalf?

Yes, but you need to confirm their details with your agent in advance of the collection. They will need to bring their own proof of identity and the other required documentation.

Your representative will need to examine the vehicle and confirm they wish to proceed. They will be asked to sign a handover note at which point documentation relating to the vehicle will be handed over and you will become the vehicle owner.

Delivery

How does delivery work?

You can arrange delivery of your car to a work or home address. Delivery costs are invoiced separately before the car is dispatched and you will need to ensure we have received cleared funds for the balance of your car by close of business the previous working day before delivery is scheduled. Any delivery or vehicle related issues should be disclosed and discussed prior to accepting and signing for the vehicle.

Please note that if you change your mind about the car within the 7 days post purchase, you will not be entitled to a refund of the Handling Fee.

What time can I get the car delivered to me?

Delivery is available 7 days a week within the following time slots:

Morning to Lunchtime: 8am – 1pm

Lunchtime to Evening: 1pm – 6pm

Delivery is subject to funds being cleared in advance of the car leaving our premises. Please discuss this with your customer service agent.

How much does delivery cost?

Delivery is charged at £149 to anywhere in mainland UK. (For customers who live in NI, Isle of Man, IOW etc, we will be happy to deliver the car to the nearest mainland port for buyer collection).

Tesco Clubcard

How many Clubcard points do I get?

You will be rewarded with 2000 Clubcard points for each car purchase.

We will give you a coupon to scan and collect your Clubcard points in your nearest Tesco store. Points will be added to your next Clubcard statement.

Cancellations, Returns and Refunds

I've changed my mind, how do I cancel my car before handover/ delivery?

If you are unhappy with your reserved car then you can cancel it at anytime by speaking to your allocated customer service agent. If your cancellation reason is due to the car itself, then they will seek an alternative vehicle for you. If you are still unhappy, then your agent will be happy to cancel your transaction and refund any payments.

What happens if I don't feel the car is as described at handover/delivery?

At handover you have the option to change your mind and not go ahead with the purchase of the vehicle. In this instance we will then attempt to find you another suitable vehicle. If an agreement cannot be made, the handover agent will either cancel or refund your sale depending on how you are paying, and refund your car payment and your Handling Fee as well as cancelling any warranty purchased by you.

What happens if I wish to return the car within 7 days?

We will also recognise your request to exchange or refund your car for up to 7 days after collection or delivery. This would require you to have taken reasonable care of the vehicle, as per your statutory duty. Please see our terms and conditions of sale and the information below regarding this process:

  • You are responsible for returning the car. Should you require assistance we can arrange this for you with our transport partner.
  • As soon as the car has been returned, together with all relevant documents, we will arrange to refund the full purchase price of the vehicle.

What happens if the car I have reserved isn't returned by the current driver?

Unfortunately in this unlikely situation, the sale will have to be cancelled. However, your agent will do their upmost to find you an alternative car which fits your requirements. Alternatively your agent will be happy to return your Handling Fee.

How long will it take for the refund of my Handling Fee / purchase price to appear in my bank?

At the present time, any refunds will be paid to you by cheque and issued within 4 business days.

When does the car legally become mine?

When you sign the Handover Document, a contract is made between you and the Seller for the purchase of the car. Ownership of the car passes from the Seller to you at this time, as well as responsibility for the car. This means that if there is any subsequent damage to the car, you will have to repair it at your own cost (unless the damage is covered by your insurance). Until such time as you have accepted the delivery / handover of the vehicle, all monies received by Tesco Cars will be held in a “holding” account, and then transferred to the seller after the handover.

Can I ask for additional items to be added to the vehicle before handover / delivery (e.g. tow bar, alarm fitting etc)?

Yes – we do offer a service to fit certain additional small extras to vehicles if required (eg new GB number plates). If you do want to make any minor alterations to the car, please let your customer service agent know prior to confirming a handover date. There will be an additional cost for any minor alterations, and we will let you know the cost of these before carrying out the work so that you can confirm if you would like to proceed.

Please note that if you do not go ahead with the purchase of the car, you may still need to pay for the cost of the alterations, such as fitting and removal to the car and may not be entitled to a refund (please see our terms and conditions for more details).

We also have a partner, Tesco Autocentres (in conjunction with National Service Network) who will be happy to offer you a price for any fitted extras – eg tow bar. Please ask your Customer Service Agent for the details of our partner, Tesco Autocentres.

Buying Outside of the UK

Do you deliver to Ireland?

Although we're happy for Irish customers to purchase from Tesco Cars, unfortunately we cannot deliver to Ireland at this time. We are happy to deliver to the nearest mainland UK port.

Do you sell left hand cars?

Unfortunately, at this time we do not stock left hand drive cars.

Contact us

We operate a policy of no sales pressure and our friendly Customer Care team is always on hand to help.

We will help you with any query relating to your chosen car and we have a wide knowledge of vehicles if you need any help with the decision making process. You can contact us directly by:

  • Using the 'Ask about this car' button within each car listing.
  • Telephone: 08443 814101
  • Using the form below:
Contact us form

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Opening times:

Monday - Friday
8am - 6pm
Saturday
9am - 5pm
Sunday and Bank Holidays
10am - 4pm

Please note handovers and viewings are by appointment only.