It’s the first thing most people want to know. Not the APR, not the monthly payment – just: how long is this going to take?
The honest answer is that our fastest end-to-end process – from submitting your application to driving away – takes 24 hours. The typical average is 48 hours. And it all starts with a decision that arrives in 60 seconds or less.
Here’s exactly what happens at each stage, and why the process moves as quickly as it does.
Step 1 – Your Application: A Decision in 60 Seconds
Everything begins with our online application form. It asks for the essentials – a few details about you, your income, and what you’re looking for in a vehicle. Once you submit, our system gets to work immediately.
99% of applicants receive a decision in 60 seconds or less.
That decision is based on a soft credit search, which means it has no impact on your credit score whatsoever. You’ll know where you stand almost instantly – and without any risk to your credit file.
Step 2 – Your Call-Back: At a Time That Suits You
Once your application has been assessed, our Customer Contact team will call you back at a time that’s convenient for you. There’s no sitting by the phone, no chasing anyone, and no automated system reading you a script. A real person will reach out when you’ve said you’re available.
That call is a brief one. Its job is simply to connect you with the right person for the next stage. Within a few minutes, you’ll be transferred to your dedicated Account Manager – and that’s where things really start to move.
Step 3 – Your Account Manager Call: Around 5 Minutes
Your Account Manager call typically takes around five minutes, but it covers a lot of ground efficiently.
This is the conversation where your requirements are confirmed – your budget, your preferred monthly payment, any deposit you’d like to put down, and what kind of vehicle you’re after. Your Account Manager will also explain your finance options clearly: what’s available to you, what the repayments look like, and which agreement type – Hire Purchase or Personal Contract Purchase – makes the most sense for your situation.
There’s no pressure and no jargon. By the end of the call, you’ll have a clear picture of what you can get and what it’ll cost.
Step 4 – Finding Your Car: We Do the Legwork
This is where Kandoo earns its keep. Rather than leaving you to trawl through vehicle listings on your own, your Account Manager searches our dealer network on your behalf and identifies two or three vehicles near you that meet your requirements – the right type, the right spec, within your budget.
You don’t have to travel far or visit multiple dealerships speculatively. The shortlist comes to you, and your Account Manager talks you through each option. Once you’ve chosen the car you want and you’re happy with the payment terms, it’s time for the next step.
Step 5 – Your Documents: Clear, Supported, and at Your Pace
Once you’re happy with the car and the agreement, our Sales Support team takes over and walks you through the documentation – clearly and without rushing you.
One thing worth knowing: you won’t be asked for your driving licence or proof of income until after you’ve read through and are satisfied with your documents. There’s no pressure to produce paperwork upfront. Everything happens in the right order, at a pace you’re comfortable with.
Step 6 – Payout and Collection: Typically the Same Day
Once your documents are signed, the finance agreement is submitted to the lender. In the vast majority of cases, the funds are released the same day.
Your Account Manager will then liaise with the dealer to arrange collection at a time that works for you. You’ll know exactly when and where to go.
Step 7 – You Collect the Car
When you arrive at the dealership and you’re satisfied that the vehicle is exactly as described and as expected, you confirm you’re happy to proceed. Only at that point do we release the funds to the dealer.
Then you drive away.
It’s a deliberate safeguard – you’re never committed to a vehicle you haven’t seen and approved in person.
So, How Long Does It Actually Take?
|
Stage |
Typical timeframe |
|
Application decision |
60 seconds or less |
|
Customer Contact call-back |
At a time you choose |
|
Account Manager call |
~5 minutes |
|
Car search and selection |
Same day in most cases |
|
Documents and sign-off |
Same day |
|
Lender payout |
Typically same day |
|
Collection |
Arranged around you |
|
Fastest end-to-end |
24 hours |
|
Typical average |
48 hours |
The process is designed so that the only variable is you – and that’s intentional. There’s no unnecessary waiting, no unexplained silences, and no chasing. At every stage, someone from Kandoo is either actively working on your application or in contact with you directly.
Ready to Get Started?
The 60-second application is the only place to begin. It won’t affect your credit score, and there’s no obligation to proceed until you’ve seen your documents and you’re completely happy.