The best time to buy a used car in the UK

Sometimes you don’t have the luxury of time when it comes to buying a new car. Maybe you need one urgently to replace your old one, or perhaps your circumstances have suddenly changed.

If you’re not in a hurry to buy a car, though, the good news is that you could save money if you time your purchase strategically. There are several times during the year when a car buyer could potentially save money.

So, when is the best time to buy a used car? Read on to find out.

Tips on the best time to buy a used car

When the new licence plates come out

New registration plates come out twice a year: March and September. This means in the lead up to and during these months, an influx of buyers are out to buy a car with the latest registration plate.

These people most likely have a car to sell, and so not only is demand high for new cars, but there’s a high amount of used car stock hanging around in dealerships, which the dealers will be keen to get rid of quickly.

Buying during these months could work out well for you if the dealer is overrun with used cars and so more amenable to negotiating on price to clear their stock.

The best months to buy a used car

As mentioned, March and September are some of the best months to buy a used car in general, but other months of the year could also spell good deals.

Some dealerships take part in Black Friday sales, for example, in November. Also, many dealers are generally keen to get rid of stock in the cold, winter months when families tend to cut back for Christmas and fewer people are keen on making the trip out to a dealership.

Conversely, in peak summer months, especially during a heatwave, dealers are well awarethat  fewer people are likely to be car hunting and more so to be basking in the rays at the nearest beach. So if you don’t mind sacrificing a day of sunbathing, you might be able to negotiate a great deal at a dealership.

Type of car

The type of vehicle will also influence when to buy a used car. If you buy a convertible in the summer, for example, demand will be high, pushing prices up. Planning ahead in winter means you might get a better deal and could be feeling the wind in your hair with some extra change in your pocket by summer.

On the other hand, splashing out on a four by four would be wiser in the summer months, as fewer people will be interested in purchasing that kind of car when it’s warmer.

Tips on how to get a good deal on a used car

1. Keep an eye on your local dealer. If you’ve seen a car you like that’s been hanging around for a bit, the dealer might be willing to budge on price to get it off their hands. Just make sure you check the car properly before handing over your hard-earned cash.
2. Buy at the right time. Follow our tips above to identify the right time to buy your car. Be patient, if you can, as you may end up saving more money in the long term.
3. Buy a car at the beginning of the month so you can save on road tax. If you buy near the end of a month, DVLA will charge you for the whole month, so it makes more sense to wait until the next.
4. Compare prices for similar cars at different dealerships. The best way to do this is through a comparison website like ours. Our easy to use search tool for used cars highlights deals near you within your budget, and you can filter by make, model, year, fuel type and more to find your perfect car.