STEP 1
Choose your vehicle
Read the description, all photos, seller details, known faults and any supporting evidence. Check when availability was last confirmed.
BUYING & SELLING GUIDES
Know what happens next.
Two ways to buy. Clear steps for each.
Buying on the forecourt
Buy directly from the named dealer or individual. Carveya does not take the vehicle payment or agree the forecourt sale.
STEP 2
Arrange a viewing
Call the seller or send a viewing request. Browse adverts, prices, photos and public seller details freely. A free Carveya account is required to send a viewing request through Carveya. Wait for confirmation before travelling.
STEP 3
Check before buying
Ask for service history, MOT details, ownership documents and relevant vehicle history checks. Inspect the vehicle or arrange your own inspection.
STEP 4
Agree the sale with the seller
Agree the price, payment method, collection and any warranty directly. There is no Carveya buyer fee for a forecourt advert.
Buying at auction
A timed auction is different from a forecourt enquiry. Only bid if you understand the lot and are ready to purchase.
STEP 1
Register and read the lot
Sign up for free, verify your email and complete bidder registration. Check that bidding is enabled on your account.
STEP 2
Check your total
The standard winning buyer fee is £59.99 + VAT (£71.99 total). The actual lot displays its fee and total before you confirm. Some older lots retain their existing fee schedule. Check any vehicle VAT expressly shown by its seller.
STEP 3
Place and follow your bid
Enter your bid and review it before submitting. A bid is accepted only after server confirmation. A bid in the final two minutes extends the close by two minutes. The highest bid wins only when the reserve is met.
STEP 4
Pay and arrange collection
After winning a sold lot, pay the Carveya buyer fee to unlock seller settlement details. Pay the vehicle price directly to the seller and arrange collection. Check the lot terms for deadlines and collection requirements.
Listing and managing vehicles
Keep descriptions accurate, disclose known faults and remove adverts when the vehicle becomes unavailable.
STEP 1
Choose a format
Use On the forecourt for fixed-price adverts and On the block for timed bidding. Standard one-off adverts cost £25; approved traders list auction cars for £20.
STEP 2
Prepare the advert
Add the vehicle details, Runner or Non-runner status, location, condition, asking price or auction settings and at least six different photographs. Save a draft if you need more time.
STEP 3
Publish with the right allowance
Review any required listing payment or your trader plan allowance. Paid listings pass automated checks; flagged adverts need operator review. Existing imported and exempt adverts keep their applicable arrangements.
STEP 4
Keep buyers informed
Use Manage stock to confirm availability, update forecourt prices and mark sold cars. Add service records, condition notes, PDF evidence and a walkaround video to the vehicle detail page. Respond to viewing requests in My viewings.
Frequently asked questions.
Do I need an account to browse?
No. Browse vehicle adverts, photo galleries, prices and public seller details freely. Register for free to bid, save cars or send viewing requests. Trader plans, listing fees and auction buyer fees apply separately.
How do I report a user?
Use the Report user flag on a seller profile, vehicle advert or private conversation. Choose a reason and explain what happened. Your report goes privately to Carveya for review; it does not automatically suspend an account. For urgent platform or payment help, use Contact Carveya.
What if a vehicle photo does not load?
Use Retry photo in the gallery, or use the arrows to view another photo. Contact the seller if an image is missing or you need a particular view.
Is a viewing request a booking?
No. The seller must confirm. Check your viewing requests and contact the seller directly before travelling.
Can I buy a forecourt car through Carveya checkout?
The vehicle purchase is agreed and paid directly with the named seller. Carveya checkout is for platform fees and trader plans.
Has Carveya inspected every car?
No. Seller-supplied running status, descriptions, photos and evidence are not an independent inspection or history guarantee.
Does “availability confirmed” guarantee the car is still there?
It records the last seller or connected feed update. A car can sell afterwards, so confirm with the seller before travelling.
How do trader plans work?
Plans cover an allowance of active forecourt car adverts. When a car is sold or withdrawn, its space is freed for another. See the Plans page for current allowances, prices and terms.
What about VAT on Carveya service fees?
Our standard buyer fee and trader plan prices show the base price + VAT and the total payable. While VAT registration is pending, payable totals include an allowance for anticipated VAT and payment records are not VAT invoices.
Is VAT added to every vehicle?
No automatic VAT uplift is applied to all vehicles. Check the price and any VAT treatment expressly stated on each advert with its seller.
Who handles a vehicle problem or warranty?
Contact the named seller first about the vehicle purchase, condition or warranty. Contact Carveya about the platform, account, listing or Carveya fees. Your statutory rights remain applicable.
Can dealers connect stock systems?
Approved traders and Carveya can create a dealer-scoped feed connection in Manage stock. Their provider must connect and send updates. CSV updates are available too. The feed changes existing forecourt adverts; new cars use the normal listing process.