No matter the size, model or price, buying a new car takes some significant decision making. To ensure you come away with the best deal on the car you want, we recommend doing your research first. You’ll likely consider different specifications, used market prices or similar alternatives but at some point, you may find yourself wondering if there’s a best time to buy a new car.
Typically, deals on new and used cars remain consistent throughout the year, but there are some specific periods when you might be able to find a better price.
British buyers still tend to favour the March and September plate changing seasons to seal the deal on their new cars. However, dealers also expect a fresh deluge of customers during these periods and so perhaps won’t feel as inclined to negotiate a better deal.
The best deals are often found when demand has subsided, and dealers turn their focus to shifting stock and meeting targets.
It can be quite a tricky landscape to navigate, so we’ve put together a guide on when the best time is to buy a new car. On this page, we’ll explore the best time of the year to buy a new car, the best time to buy a used car and tips to get the best deal.
The best time of year to buy a new car
As so many buyers and fleets still hold on for that new-registration shine, February and August sales are generally focused on 1 March and 1 September deliveries. New cars can take three to six weeks to reach the dealer if not already in stock, so they’ll will be delighted to see you in the preceding month – but won’t necessarily be in the mood to strike a deal and lose profit unless it’s a model that isn’t reaching targets.
Plenty of manufacturer promotions will start to emerge around this time. You’ll find 0% car finance and dealer deposit contribution can go a long way to save money in the long-term, even if it feels like you didn’t get anything off the list price.
It’s worth noting that adding options to your chosen specification will lump on the wait time and may reduce your chances of securing a discount, too. So, rather than adding specifications to a lower-priced model, ask the dealer if there are higher specification models in stock already, particularly if you’ve seen that a facelifted model is due.
Be sure to check out our best cheap PCP deals if you’re after a great deal on a budget.
We recommend shopping for a brand new car between May and early August, or December to January. Pre-registration is less prevalent than it was a few years ago, but you’ll often find popular cars are available from stock. It’s worth looking at what car brokers are offering big discounts on, and approaching your local dealer to see how close they can get.
You might not have the pick of all the colours and trims, but you’re likely to get a very good deal if you can be flexible.
The best time of year to buy a used car
You’re most likely to get a good deal on a used car in June through August, and then in November through to January, but why?
There are more second hand car dealers, a wider range of prices and far more variation in buyer experience to take into account; different budgets and types of car may have very different pressures.
If you’re looking for a popular approved-used car such as a Vauxhall, Audi, Volvo or BMW, then the best times to buy from a main dealer is right before the new registration plates, in February and August.
They’ll have the best stock, the most comprehensive used-car warranty, and the nicest places to check out your next car in comfort. They’ll also have an influx of PCP and new customer trade-ins that they’ll want to make space for.
This means that anything which has been sitting for a while will be fair game – and if your dealer is local to you, it’s worth watching your desired car on the forecourt to see how long it sits around before going in for a closer look.
The stock they don’t want goes through underwriters and auctions to smaller dealers – who are geared up to sell these desirable models in April, May, September and October. By June, July and August the summer holidays take the budgets – and time – of their customers elsewhere, and similarly in winter the bitter mornings and short days of November, December and January also have to compete with Christmas, New Year and higher household bills.
Car dealers are people too – and those smaller businesses face the same pressures you do, so while we advocate pushing for the best deals you can, be kind and it’ll go a lot further than being aggressive or confontational.
If you’re looking at an older, lower-cost used car, we’d recommend buying in summer purely because it’s much nicer to inspect the car when you don’t have to get down on cold, wet ground to do so. It’s tempting to rush checking a car over when it’s raining and cold – an you could miss wear or damage that costs you more in the long run.
Here are a few of Parkers’ top tips on when to buy a car:
• Buy a used convertible in winter – Convertibles are most expensive during the summer months – so shop around in the winter when demand is low and dealers will be quiet.
• Buy a used in summer – Off-roaders are cheapest when the weather is good. This means it’s worth buying one during the summer months when there will be plenty of deals around. Leave it much later and prices will start to rise come winter.
• Buy at the end of the quarter – If you are looking to buy during the year, buy at the end of each quarter. This allows you to put pressure on the dealer as they will be looking to complete sales to meet targets and so are more likely to make a deal.
• Find discounts between Oct – Dec – If you want to buy a car later in the year, aim to buy between October and December. Many dealerships discount their cars strongly during these months in order to improve sales figures, and to clear the way for models arriving in the New Year.
• Save money between Christmas & New Year – The weeks around Christmas and the New Year can deliver massive savings. This period is between new plate releases and the dealerships will be quiet, so heavy cuts will be offered in order to maintain sales. Don’t be put off by pre-registered cars – there are some great bargains to be had.
• Buy an old model when the new one launches – Buy the previous generation car at the launch of the new one. The older version will drop in price and many dealers will offer good deals to make room for new cars.
• Buy an old model when the new facelift launches – Buy at the release of facelifted models. Much like the release of a new car, the new facelifted models become the more desirable purchase and consequently dealers look to quickly sell on the pre-facelift cars to restock with new ones.
Lastly, remember to keep an eye on the market. If new or used car sales are struggling then that can give you even more leverage against a dealer, as they’ll be working harder to complete sales.
Parkers works in partnership with CarFinance 247, to find out more about getting a loan and an idea of what your monthly repayments could be, click here to head to our dedicated section.
Looking for a new or used car for sale?
You can use the Parkers New Cars for Sale service page to search your local area for cars, while our Used Cars for Sale section lets you browse used cars for sale in the UK. Our Car Valuation tool will show you what kind of price you should be able to negotiate on all models.
If you’re considering buying your new car on finance, make sure you visit our finance section for a quote – we work with over 21 lenders to give our customers access to over 100 different lending options.
