The best time to buy a car is generally on a weekday, specifically Monday or Tuesday, toward the end of the month or quarter. Late afternoon or early evening is ideal, as salespeople may be more motivated to close a deal to meet sales targets.
What is the cheapest day of the week to buy a car?
The Best Days of the Week: Midweek Wins
Most people do their car shopping on weekends, which means dealerships are busier and less likely to offer significant discounts. To get the best deal and personalized service, consider visiting the dealership on a weekday, preferably midweek.
What is the cheapest month to buy a car in the UK?
December is typically the cheapest month to buy a car as dealers will offer significant discounts and promotions for buyers so that they can meet their end-of-year sales targets.
The "car finance 50% rule," or Voluntary Termination, allows you to legally end a Hire Purchase (HP) or Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) agreement by returning the car after you've paid at least half the total amount payable (including interest/fees), giving you a way out if you struggle with payments or the car depreciates, but you won't get money back if you've paid more than 50%, and may owe for damage or excess mileage.
BEST TIME TO BUY A CAR: 2024 Discounts, Incentives, MSRP Deals: The Homework Guy, Kevin Hunter
Should you haggle when buying a car?
Nobody wants to pay over the odds for anything, but particularly when a car is one of the biggest purchases you'll make, getting it for a great price is important. But if you're not happy with the price, you might want to look to haggle with a used car dealer in order to secure it for the price you have in mind.
January is the best overall month to find a used car deal, with 55.6% more deals. July 4th ranks as the worst holiday to buy a used car, offering 22.4% fewer deals than average. June is the worst month for used car deals, with 22.8% fewer deals.
What does Martin Lewis say about renewing car insurance?
Martin also advised consumers to renew their insurance three to four weeks before your renewal date – because people who renew earlier are seen as a lower risk by insurers. This clip was originally from Adrian Chiles on 6 February 2025.
Previously, some car dealers have attempted to use 'sold as seen' or 'no refunds' (especially on second-hand cars) to minimise their liability. However, according to Trading Standards, no vehicles can legally be 'sold as seen'.
You can have as many cars under your name as you can afford as long as you have space for them and follow your local and state regulations. In the U.S., there's an average of 1.2 cars for every licensed driver.
How to avoid getting ripped off by a car salesman?
Get information about car dealers from the Better Business Bureau (us.bbb.org). Research the car's value before negotiating a price. Look up the value in the Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com) or at Edmunds.com (www.edmunds.com). Arrange financing with your bank or credit union before car shopping.
To politely ask for a lower price, be friendly and build rapport, then use phrases like "Is there any flexibility on the price?" or "What's your best price?" while showing genuine interest and explaining your budget constraints, and be prepared to make a reasonable counteroffer or ask for discounts on multiple items. Research market value first to make your request informed and realistic, and focus on finding a mutually beneficial compromise rather than demanding a reduction.
“Oftentimes, the best rate is going to come from a credit union, bank, or third-party lender, rather than from dealer-based financing,” he says. “Know what the prevailing interest rates are for borrowers in your credit score range, and seek multiple offers before heading to the dealership.”
The "car finance 50% rule," or Voluntary Termination, allows you to legally end a Hire Purchase (HP) or Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) agreement by returning the car after you've paid at least half the total amount payable (including interest/fees), giving you a way out if you struggle with payments or the car depreciates, but you won't get money back if you've paid more than 50%, and may owe for damage or excess mileage.
PCP is a good finance option if you like changing your car every few years, or if you want lower monthly repayments than an equivalent hire purchase (HP) finance package. It's also the most flexible type of car finance, with options available if your circumstances change.
