Ideally, head into dealers in February and August. As the months preceding the sales peaks and quarterly targets, there may be great deals on offer in anticipation of both. Plus, by heading in with time, you're allowing yourself the chance to shop around and negotiate without time constraints.
You might find that prices are lowered for a short time at the end of each quarter (the last weeks of March, June, September and December) - particularly at the end of the year in December.
The biggest bonuses come at the end of each quarter, though sales are tracked through the whole year. In March, June, September and December – the start of each quarter – dealers won't have as much pressure to meet these targets.
Whilst used car valuations are falling (used prices fell by 2% in August 2023) there are no signs of an impending 'price crash'. This has led to many people pondering the question, “When will car prices drop?” In this guide, we will analyse the current market trends for car prices.
While weekends are often packed with car shoppers, you'll find better deals on Monday and Tuesdays when showrooms are quiet and sales people have more time to negotiate and dedicate to getting your business.
“The best days to visit a car dealership are usually weekdays, particularly early in the week,” said Nick Musica of Cash For Your Junk Car. “Mondays and Tuesdays tend to be less busy as many people are occupied with work and other weekday commitments.
In the United States, car dealers experience the most difficulty in selling inventory during the winter months, particularly in January, February, and into early March. As the weather improves and people receive their tax refunds, car sales increase during the spring months.
Dealerships see family cars in demand throughout the whole year ( even during school holiday times ). Our general advice is to shop for a used family car between October to December to get the end-of-the-year deals, however, your best bet is also to keep an eye out on the local dealerships near you.
Used car values have slipped a further 1.5% on average since Cap HPI reported a 4.2% fall in October, the largest drop in a single month for more than a decade. The average value of a used car at three years, 60,000 miles, fell by £850, in October.
272,610 new cars registered in September as market rises 21.0% in 14th consecutive month of growth. Fleets drive expansion during 'new plate month' while overall private purchases add to uplift.
According to Edmunds data, December has the year's highest discount off MSRP — 6.1% on average — and the highest incentives. Automakers and dealerships want to close the year with strong sales. They also want to get rid of the prior model-year cars that are taking up space, so they're motivated.
'Used car prices in 2024 are likely to see a return to pre-pandemic depreciation with gentle monthly downward movements,' he said. He's not as bullish as others and thinks the cost of living crisis – especially interest rate rises – will hit consumers' wallets hard and consequently their desire to change their car.
According to the abovementioned data from AutoTrader, one in five 'nearly new' used cars is worth more than its brand-new counterpart. In simple terms: Prices surged a lot in 2021. They eventually stopped increasing at such alarming rates, but they never came back down. Now, they're gradually on the rise again.
When shopping, is there a best age for purchasing a used car? Cars are usually reliable for up to five years if they've been looked after. But a well-maintained 10-year-old car could be a better investment than a newer model that hasn't been cared for as well. Budget is also a major factor.
What is the best day of the week to buy a used car?
Monday is usually the best day of the week to buy a car. This is when showrooms will be the least busy, which means you'll likely get more time and attention from the sales staff and have more time to go on test-drives. Edmunds suggests Tuesday is a better option than Monday if the car dealership is closed on Sunday.
What percentage can you negotiate off a used car UK 2023?
However, when it comes to car buying, knowing how to negotiate and get the best price possible can save money - on average, buyers in our study who were prepared to haggle saved an average of 11% (equivalent to around £900) on the purchase price of their car.
Summer usually witnesses an uptick in sports car and convertible sales, while fall and winter see increased demand for SUVs and 4X4s. Timing your sale to align with these trends could result in a profitable deal. Generally, late spring and summer are considered good times to sell most used cars.
Hot demand and limited supply pushed prices sky-high. Now, used cars still cost an arm and a leg, but for a different reason. Remember how carmakers made and sold millions fewer new vehicles than usual from 2020 through 2022? Fast forward to today and those new cars are now lightly used — and in short supply.
The Vauxhall Corsa, for example, has seen a massive 94.4% price increase as compared to its price on 2019. Other popular models recording the largest price growth last month include the Vauxhall Astra, Renault Megane and Peugeot 307 - all recording an increase in value of over 70%.
Although depreciation rates vary depending on the car's type, make and model, it will typically lose anything from 15-35% of its initial value in the first year – and up to 50% over the first three years.
As the 2035 ban on petrol and diesel cars only impacts new cars, you will still be able to buy and sell used petrol and diesel cars after 2035. So, should you choose to change to another petrol or diesel car, as long as it's pre-loved, you can still buy another car without moving to electric or hybrids.
When will diesel and petrol cars be banned? The ban on sales of new models is due to come into place in 2030, with new hybrids being given a stay of execution until 2035 on the condition their zero-emission-mode can cover a significant distance, although this distance hasn't been set by the government yet.
In all likelihood, what will happen to classic cars after 2030 instead is that they will become increasingly expensive to run as petrol and diesel usage dwindles and prices for combustion fuels skyrocket. That will make running a classic car even more of a luxury than it already is.
Should I buy a car in December or January? Buying a car for the new year can be a good idea. This is because not many people are focused on buying new cars at Christmas, so you can get the best new year car deals in December, followed by New Year's January car sales.
