When is the Best Time to Buy a Car?

After a house, a car is likely to be one of the biggest purchases you make, so there’s plenty to consider: what model to buy, whether to finance or buy outright, and even when you are going to buy.

It may not seem like a big deal, but depending on the type of car you’re looking for, the time of year can make a considerable difference in the price and availability of the model you want. In this article, we’ll go through just when is the right time to buy a car.

Is there a good time to buy a car?

It’s worth noting first off that there may not be a “best time” to buy; it could be your hand is forced by an unexpected repair bill, or even worse, an accident. It could also be that all of a sudden you need to carry an extra person, or a pet!

So don’t feel too disappointed if you need to buy outside of the ideal time. Everything we discuss here is in an ideal world, where your vehicular needs and cash flow can allow the freedom to decide.

That said, car prices do fluctuate throughout the year, especially on certain types of models, so it’s always worth planning ahead.

Best time to buy a new car

If you’re on the hunt for a brand new car from a dealer, you can try a couple of different tactics, both revolving around the financial calendar.

When a new model is released

In the lead-up to a new model being released, dealerships will be keen to clear old stock out and make space for the newer model. This could be if a new version of the same model, or even if a similar model is launched, that replaces the old one.

Manufacturers will typically give a rough estimate of when new cars will be available in showrooms, but you may need to call the dealer ahead of time to get a more accurate timeframe for when the new cars will be arriving.

Buy just before the end of the tax year

The tax year runs from the 6th of April to the 5th of April the following year. Businesses close their accounts at the end of this financial year, and a drive to increase sales generally picks up around then.

This can mean dealerships might be slightly more accepting of an offer or two around this period, in order to clinch the sale.

Buy just before the end of a quarter

In a similar way to the previous point, salespeople and dealerships often have sales targets that reset each financial quarter. This puts late March, late June, late September and late December as optimum times to visit.

Around when a new registration is released

In the UK, car registrations are dated, in the current format - that has been in use since 2001 - the 3rd and 4th numbers designate the date, e.g. YR25 OLJ is a car registered between March and September 2025.

Lots of people prefer to have the latest registration. This generally means a spike in sales around March and September. For people who don’t mind having the latest reg number, this could mean a better price.

This is because A - Dealers may be likely to want older plated cars off their forecourt before the new ones come out, and B - They may also be willing to let those same cars go at a lower price after the new ones are released, due to a lower demand.

Best time to buy a used car

Buying a used car can save you thousands; even a car 3-4 years old can be up to 60% cheaper than new. Older cars can be an even bigger bargain, and if you time it right, you may be able to save even more.

Around Christmas time

For a lot of people, Christmas is an expensive time of year, with loads of things to pay for. That’s why car sales have historically been slow around December and January.

If you’re fortunate enough to be able to buy around Christmas time, you may find an offer on a used (or new for that matter) car is more likely to be accepted.

Out of season for the car type

For your run of the mill hatchbacks, estates and SUVs, there’s no real correlation between demand and time of year, for open top sports cars, however, the weather and season can play a big part.

If you’re looking for a little 2-seater convertible, being able to plan ahead and buy one during winter or autumn could save you a pretty penny. Sellers will still want or need to get rid of cars during these times, but they’ll have much less haggling power if less people are looking to buy!

The opposite is true for cars that people tend to want in winter, 4x4s for snow, and rugged estate cars that don’t mind getting muddy, salty and generally beaten about, aren’t really on buyers' minds during the height of summer.

General car-buying tips to save money

Buy performance cars at the start of the month

If you’re looking for a performance car, or even just a slightly older car, the VED (road tax) can be a considerable cost, with some rates over £700 per year. Factoring this in when timing your purchase could save you a tank of fuel's worth of cash. Because VED isn't transferable and you can only buy in full calendar months, you’ll need to tax the car from the moment you buy it. If this happens a few days before the end of the month, you’ll still get charged for that whole month.

Buy just after the start of the month, however, and you’ll get a full month's driving from that first payment. The same can be said for selling a car, or taking it off the road - do so nearing the end of a calendar month.

Sell your old car rather than trading it in

When trading in or part-exchanging your old car for a new one, the dealer needs to account for all their costs when calculating the amount they’ll pay. They’ll need to valet it, store it, and of course, add a profit margin.

This means you won’t get as much for your car as if you sold it privately before the new purchase sites like Autotrader and eBay can be good for getting the best value for your old car.

Author - Joseph Law

Joseph has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.