When is the best time of year to buy a used car?

January and February are the best months to buy a used car. Demand is low after Christmas, dealers need to hit targets, and new plate registrations in March push sellers to move stock. December is also good for the same reasons.

Do used car prices drop in winter?

Yes. Used car prices typically drop 5–10% in winter (November–February). Demand is lower, fewer people are buying, and dealers are more willing to negotiate. Convertibles and sports cars drop more sharply in winter.

What day of the week is best to buy a used car?

Weekdays (Tuesday–Thursday) are better for buying used cars. Dealers are less busy, salesperson attention is undivided, and you have more negotiating leverage. Avoid weekends when showrooms are busy and dealers are less motivated to negotiate.

Should I buy a used car at the end of the month?

Yes. Dealers and salespeople have monthly targets. Buying in the last week of the month gives you leverage — they may accept lower offers to hit their quota. This works for both dealer and private sales.

Best Time to Buy a Used Car

January – Best Prices, Highest Supply

Advantages: New Year is traditionally when used car dealers are most motivated to clear stock from the previous year. Sellers are often desperate to move inventory before new registrations arrive. Supply is high, prices are typically at their lowest, and seller motivation is strongest.

Disadvantages: New plate month (late February/early March) brings new cars to market, which means slightly fewer used car deals in February. Weather is poor for viewing and test drives.

February to March – New Plate Surge

When the new plate month arrives, thousands of nearly-new cars enter the used market as part-exchanges and lease end-of-term returns. This creates a glut of modern, low-mileage stock and fierce price competition among dealers.

Buyers have enormous choice and strong negotiating power. Prices are competitive. The downside: summer holidays and good weather are three months away, so demand is still lower than peak season.

April to June – Good Balance

Weather improves, school holidays approach, and buyer demand rises. Prices begin to creep up from winter lows. Supply is still reasonable from the new plate glut, but dealers are now less desperate to clear stock. Negotiating power is good but not exceptional.

July to August – Summer Peak

Demand peaks during summer holidays — people are thinking about their next car and have time to shop. Prices are at their highest. Supply has dwindled from spring. Negotiating power is weakest for buyers.

This is the worst time to buy unless you have a specific car in mind and are willing to pay premium prices.

September to November – Second-Best Period

September brings another plate month, another surge of nearly-new stock, and another opportunity for strong negotiating power. Back-to-school season and autumn weather mean fewer impulse buyers. Prices drop and supply increases.

This is the second-best time to buy after January. Conditions are similar: good supply, lower prices, motivated sellers.

December – Mixed Picture

Christmas spending plans distract buyers. Some dealers are motivated to clear year-end stock. Prices are moderate to low. But supply is lower than plate months, and weather is poor for viewings. Dealers may be closed between Christmas and New Year.

Day of Week / Time of Day Trends

Beyond seasons, smaller patterns exist:

Weekends — more popular for viewings, more competition, less room to negotiate
Weekday mornings — quieter, less competition, better time to negotiate
Month-end — dealers have sales targets; they are more motivated to negotiate end-of-month
Rainy weather — fewer buyers view cars, giving you stronger negotiating position

The Bottom Line

Best times to buy: January (post-holiday clearance) and September (new plate influx). Prices are lowest, supply is highest, seller motivation is strongest.

Times to avoid: July–August (peak summer demand, highest prices, lowest negotiating power).

That said: if you find the right car at the right price, buy it regardless of season. Timing helps, but finding the specific car you need is more important than waiting for perfect conditions that may never come.

Whenever you buy, protect yourself with a full vehicle history check. A VEHIXA report reveals finance, write-offs, stolen markers, and mileage records — regardless of the time of year. Run a check now.

When Is the Best Time to Buy a Used Car? Seasonal Guide