Deposit Terms and Conditions

Reservation & Deposit Policy

Purpose
A deposit reserves a vehicle and removes it from sale. This ensures the vehicle is held exclusively for you while final arrangements are made.

Deposits

After Viewing / Test Drive (In-Person):
Deposits placed after you’ve seen or test-driven a vehicle are non-refundable. This confirms your commitment to purchase and covers the cost of removing the vehicle from sale.

Before Viewing (Sight-Unseen Reservation):
Deposits placed before seeing the vehicle are refundable at the time of viewing if you decide not to proceed after inspection or test drive.

Finance Applications via Derwent Motors:
If you are arranging finance through us and your application is declined, your deposit will be refunded in full.

Vehicle Misdescribed / Not as Advertised:
If, in the rare event, a vehicle is found to be materially misdescribed, your deposit will be refunded in full.

Holding Period
Your deposit secures the vehicle for an agreed time (usually up to 7 days, unless otherwise arranged). If collection or completion does not take place within that period — and no alternative has been agreed — the vehicle may be relisted and the deposit retained (unless one of the refundable circumstances above applies).

Online Reservations (e.g. Auto Trader)
If you reserve a vehicle via a third-party platform such as Auto Trader, please note that those reservation fees are handled separately by the platform and remain fully refundable under their own terms. This is independent of any deposit made directly with Derwent Motors.

Transparency & Fair Practice
We always make our deposit terms clear before payment and confirm them in writing on your invoice or order form. Our policy follows UK consumer law guidance on fair, transparent vehicle reservation terms.

Quick FAQ

Is a deposit always refundable?
No — only if you’ve placed it before seeing the vehicle, if your finance is declined, or if the car is misdescribed.

What if I reserve a car before viewing and then change my mind at the appointment?
That deposit is refunded — no problem.

What if I change my mind after viewing or test-driving?
Once a vehicle has been viewed and secured with a deposit, it becomes non-refundable.

Finance declined through Derwent Motors?
Your deposit is refunded in full.

In summary
At Derwent Motors, we’re transparent and fair.
Deposits are refundable only if placed prior to viewing, declined finance, or vehicle misdescription.
Otherwise, once viewed and reserved, the deposit becomes non-refundable as the vehicle is removed from sale exclusively for you.