When is the best time to buy a used car?
When is the best time to buy a car?
When purchasing a used car, it is important to take into account a large number of factors: technical characteristics, color of the car, place and time of purchase, as well as weather conditions. Let’s pay attention to the last few factors and figure out what time of year is best to buy a car.
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Time of year and buying a car
You can buy a used car at any time of the year, but remember that each season has its advantages and disadvantages. Let's consider which month is better to buy a car.
The most profitable month to buy a car is December, before the New Year holidays, to be precise. The demand for used cars at this time is low, and, therefore, the cost is reduced in relation to other months. Another factor influencing the price of a used car is the year of manufacture. It is believed that with the advent of the new year, the car automatically becomes a year older, which means the price is lower. In January, after the New Year holidays, there is a period of calm. The seller, noticing a decrease in the number of calls, easily reduces the price to a level that suits you. In addition, in frosty weather, you can check the start of a cold engine. This is another argument in favor of purchasing a car on the eve of the New Year.
During this period, the so-called “snowdrops” wake up and interest in cars increases. By the end of the season, demand reaches its peak; there is no need to expect a significant drop in car prices. It is better to plan the purchase of a car only if absolutely necessary. In addition, slush makes it difficult to inspect the car well: there is a risk of missing body defects.
Buying a used car becomes convenient because the inspection can be carried out without haste and in more comfortable conditions. In sunny weather, dents and scratches are more visible than ever. Sellers rarely make concessions and do not make discounts, but by August demand decreases slightly, followed by prices.
In the fall, the demand for cars continues to decline, and this is due to the fact that potential buyers are gradually preparing for the New Year holidays, planning their expenses differently. Some go into hibernation. Remember that for all seasons, including autumn, one rule applies - the inspection of the car must be carried out in natural daylight. In addition, the body and parts of the car must be clean and not covered with a layer of dirt. This way you will protect yourself from purchasing a restored and repainted “horse”.
The comfort of the procedure for buying and selling a used car in the fall largely depends on weather conditions. In rainy or frosty weather, demand is reduced, and therefore the seller, as in winter, has no choice but to reduce the price. This is also a good time to buy a used car.
When thinking about when is the best time to buy a car, you shouldn’t discount exchange rates. The fact is that sometimes the cost of a car is indicated in dollars, and some sellers do not immediately change the price in accordance with the exchange rate. Therefore, if you catch the right moment, you can save a lot on purchasing a car. This trend applies to both new cars and used cars.
When is the best time to buy a car according to the lunar calendar?
It is believed that the lunar calendar can predict the success of a transaction. The waning moon helps reduce the price of the purchased car. There are also several lunar days that are most successful for making a transaction: 7, 10, 11, 17, 21 and 25.
- The seventh lunar day is suitable for choosing a car that will emphasize the status of its owner.
- On the tenth and eleventh days, buy a car for family and long trips.
- On the seventeenth lunar day, you should buy a car that requires investment and repair. The twenty-fifth day has the same character. Buy a car if you plan to resell or restore it.
- The twenty-first day is ideal for drawing up and signing a purchase and sale agreement.
When buying a car, pay attention to the position of the moon. The most successful positions for large purchases are the position of the satellite in Taurus and Leo, and for a car, in particular, in Gemini and Capricorn. Items purchased during this period will work for you and fully pay for themselves. To buy a car with further resale, wait until the moon is in Aries or Libra - at this time, transactions will be most successful.
Days of the week and buying a car
Let's consider the question of which days are best to buy a car. There is a known pattern between purchasing an item on a certain day of the week and its service life. According to astrology, each day of the week is ruled by a number of planets. Major undertakings, including the purchase of a car, can go differently under the influence of celestial objects.
- Monday is the day of the moon, which patronizes the family hearth. Make purchases that are related to the home: groceries, household chemicals, and partially interior items. But purchasing a car on this day is highly not recommended.
- Another meaning is Tuesday, whose patron is Mars. On this day, buy things with masculine energy, including cars.
- The planet Mercury, which protects the environment, is responsible for the car, as well as for real estate and household appliances. On Wednesday, deals are made successfully, and things last a long time.
- Thursday is the most favorable day for shopping. On this day it is better to plan large-scale acquisitions - you won’t go wrong.
- Friday under the auspices of Venus is more suitable for women's shopping. Art objects, clothes, books, cosmetics, but not cars.
- Saturday's planet - Saturn will help you choose practical things needed in your life. Large transactions will also be successful.
- Sunday is patronized by the Sun. This day is suitable for purchasing luxury goods. Surely, you will be able to find something unusual, and you will approach the process on this day creatively.
When choosing a day for an appropriate purchase, including a used car, you can’t go wrong. The item will last a long time and will bring pleasure.
Such patterns can change annually. When thinking about what time of year it is better to buy a car, while in pursuit of a profitable purchase, a person will wait for the onset of a favorable period, which means that the statistics may change significantly. In any case, you should buy a used car when you are internally ready for it.
And don't forget to check the car's history before purchasing. This can be done using the Autocode online service using the VIN or license plate number. The system checks the car against more than 15 official databases: traffic police, EAISTO, RSA, taxi and bank registers, Federal Tax Service, Federal Customs Service and others. From the report you will find out the actual mileage of the car, whether there are traffic police restrictions, compulsory motor insurance data, customs history, fine history, participation in road accidents and much other important information.
If you are not confident in your experience for inspecting a car or are simply in another city, order an on-site inspection "Autocode". The specialist will draw up a detailed report with all the technical nuances.
The best time to buy a used car is winter, summer or any time of year?
When is the best time to buy a used car? Are there times when a car with the same specifications is available at a lower price? What can affect the final result of buying a car?
Buy a car in winter when sales are low
Winter is a rather unpleasant time of year. In addition to snow, rain and blizzards, frost can also successfully immobilize engines. From the seller's point of view, it couldn't get any worse.
Owners of parking lots intended for the sale of used cars can only agree with this. In addition, the flow of buyers in the winter also decreases significantly, and companies still have to find a way to survive, so they reduce the prices of the cars on display. This is the first reason to buy a used car in winter.
Buy a used car in winter because the weather will be on your side
For many car parts, winter (or rather, the combination of cold, snow and ice) is a real challenge. We are talking about the battery, electrical system, ignition system, starter or systems such as ABS. It is in winter that all their shortcomings become clearly visible.
Buy a used car in January
We have already shown that the best time to buy a used car is in winter, but when exactly? Most people would agree that if you can choose your purchase date, it's definitely better to do it in January rather than December. At this time of year, after a couple of weeks, the car “ages” by a year. And the older the car, the lower the price.
Buy a car before Christmas
While it may not sound very scientific, you should take advantage of the magic of Christmas when buying a car in winter. Before Christmas, people become softer, kinder, and treat each other with greater understanding. Everything around is becoming more... humane, including car purchase and sale transactions.
Buy a car when supply begins to exceed demand
This strategy requires the buyer to closely monitor the market situation. Sometimes there are drastic changes in the car market (for example, the rules governing the use of diesel engines in Germany change), and the used car market is replenished with new products. And when supply begins to exceed demand, car prices automatically begin to fall.
Buy a used car when the weather is good
Cloudless, warm, sunny days sometimes occur even in winter. If you are going to buy a car, this day is a good time to make a deal. You'll have more time to carefully check your purchase, you won't have to hide from a snowstorm, and the cold won't force you to rush. This means you will have time to inspect everything thoroughly.
Buy a car whose new version has just entered the market
The arrival on the market of a new incarnation of one or the other model for its old version means a slight or significant reduction in value and attractiveness. Take advantage of this moment.
Buy a car with a good history
Whether you buy your dream car in winter or summer, you should carefully analyze its history. One good way to do this is to check the information available from the VIN.
Last but not least
Buy a used car before you really need it. Don't wait until the last minute, as making decisions under time pressure also means making decisions under stress, which can end up being pretty bad for your wallet.
When is it better to buy a new or used car?
Don't know when is the best time to buy a new car? By using the helpful tips in this article, you can not only make the right choice, but also save a decent amount of money.
If previously cars were exclusively a luxury item, now they are considered a full-fledged means of transportation, accessible to the majority of citizens of our country.
But before finalizing a deal, it is imperative to conduct a competent analysis of each specific proposal.
Without knowing when is the best time to buy a new car, a potential owner may end up paying a lot of money. And this is far from the only problem that can be encountered in practice.
When is the best time to buy a vehicle?
Regardless of the season, purchasing a vehicle should only be done in natural daylight. In other words, the inspection must be performed during the day.
Always avoid shopping at dusk or at night. When checking the body, you should make sure that it is clean and that there is no dirt, dust, snow, etc. on its surface.
Only in the daytime and only in a clean car do all the differences in paint shades on certain exterior details immediately become evident.
If you do not want to take a car that has recently been straightened out to a service station after an accident, always carry out the inspection in daylight and in a clean condition.
When can you make a purchase with maximum financial benefit?
Definitely in the winter season, especially before the New Year holidays. This applies not only to salon models, but also to used ones.
During this period, buyers show minimal activity, as a result of which interest is greatly reduced. Both car dealerships and private owners prefer to reduce the price in order to quickly “get rid” of their property.
After the new year, both new and used cars become one year older. It is the years that are one of the most important factors influencing the final cost.
Dealerships are trying to sell off their inventory in warehouses in order to replenish the catalog with updated models.
During the New Year holidays, the automobile market is typically quiet. This is another reason for the reduction in the final price, because... vehicles are in minimal market demand.
When is the best time to buy a new car?
There is a small but solvent category of the population that prefers purchasing a brand new car straight from the showroom.
But people still consult experts about when is the best time to buy a new car.
The task at hand will be easy if you first familiarize yourself with the tips outlined below.
Car showrooms have good lighting. However, it is still better to ask a representative of the dealership to pick up the car from the premises.
If the copy you like is located right in the showroom, this will ensure a comfortable inspection of every element of the body and any interior detail.
Exhibition copies have a significant advantage - they will never put a damaged or tinted copy here, because the reputation of the dealer as a whole directly depends on its beauty.
If you see that the car suits you in all respects, and it has not yet been sold, after a thorough inspection, you should directly state your desire to pick up the exhibition copy.
Impact of Marketing Plans on Cost
Car manufacturers have their own dealer networks, and also establish cooperation with other car dealerships that are not their property.
The manufacturer sets each partner the task of selling as many cars as possible. The schedule for their implementation is indicated in the marketing plans.
There are minimum limits for such a period of time as:
To ensure that staff cope with the task, manufacturers provide them with additional bonuses and bonuses.
Naturally, upon completion of the work. To maintain sales at a normal level, management personnel also receive the right to offer clients personal bonuses and discounts.
Accordingly, you have the opportunity to ask for a discount. The most profitable times to trade are at the end of January, February and July.
The discount is usually 5 percent, in some cases up to twenty (this usually applies to premium cars).
Considering the facts listed above, the answer to the question regarding when is the best time to buy a new car is quite simple.
It’s worth visiting a car showroom at the end of your monthly, quarterly or annual plan. Then the discount will be practically guaranteed.
It can be issued not only in the form of a lower cost, but as an addition to the equipment - installation of an alarm system, a set of winter tires, and so on.
When is the best time to buy a used car?
With official dealers everything is more or less clear. But when is the best time to buy a used car? In this case, there are a number of nuances.
Current car owners prefer to sell their car in the spring or summer when the weather is good.
The activity of interested buyers is rapidly increasing. Purchasing a used vehicle in warm weather has one significant advantage - you can carry out an inspection without unnecessary haste, carefully reading every detail.
But it is in the summer that the greatest demand for used vehicles is observed. Consequently, it is not always possible to make a purchase with a good discount.
Things are completely different in the autumn and winter. Not every buyer wants to spend their time on inspection in slushy, rainy, frosty weather.
In the presence of such conditions, buyers always show weak activity. The seller is left with no choice but to reduce the price.
Practice shows that it is most profitable to make a purchase on a frosty winter day, especially before the holidays.
As a rule, owners exhibit their cars not just to get money, but to use the proceeds to purchase a new vehicle.
Buying in winter also has one good advantage. Before coming, it is highly recommended that you ask the owner not to start the car until you arrive for inspection.
This way you can check the cold start efficiency of a frozen power unit. A quick start of a frozen engine indicates its normal technical condition.
Regardless of when it is better to buy a used car, during inspection it is extremely important to pay attention to the condition of the body.
It is recommended to immediately inspect the bottom for rust. You should also take with you a special device to determine the thickness of the paint.
Throughout the body of the factory copy, the thickness of the paint coating is almost the same (the error can be several hundredths of units on a special scale).
If you see that when checking different parts, the thickness gauge records differences, this is a direct sign that the car was involved in an accident and was further restored at a service center.
Before the inspection, it is best to agree in advance with the current owner to send the car for a comprehensive diagnosis. A great option is to go check with your friends, if you have any.
An analysis carried out by car mechanics will allow a sober assessment of the technical condition of all components and assemblies, and if there are problems, the seller will also have to reduce the price.
Since you are dealing with the secondary market, be sure to check all documents. Make sure there are no fines or seizure of movable property - if you buy a car that is unclean by legal standards, you are guaranteed to encounter a number of serious problems, including the impossibility of re-registering documents with the traffic police.
conclusions
So when is the best time to buy a new car? If we are talking about a car from the showroom, this should be done before the New Year holidays, because at this time dealers offer substantial discounts.
The same rule applies to the purchase of a secondary vehicle, but in this case it is important to make sure that the weather conditions allow for a thorough comprehensive inspection.
Do not forget to pay attention to every detail - if the condition of the car does not match that described by the driver/dealership employee, you may request an additional discount.
When is the best time to buy a used car?
As you know, the best time to buy new cars is towards the end of the year. It is at this time that potential buyers have the highest chances of receiving an impressive discount. But if waiting until Christmas is not an option, then you can look into the showroom in the last days of the month or quarter, when sellers already know how many unsold cars separate them from dismissal. The “burning” plan forces them to make concessions and cut price tags.
However, not everyone can afford a brand new car, fresh off the factory assembly line. And those who barely make ends meet, surviving from salary to advance payment, are forced to choose between public transport with all its delights and second-hand ones. Yes, a used car is a priori cheaper than a similar new one. And knowing about the seasonal “patterns” of the secondary market, you can save even more.
SPRING AND SUMMER
If the required amount of money has accumulated by spring, then postpone the purchase of a used car for six months. It's no secret that with the arrival of warm weather, prices for used cars - as well as for new ones in general - begin to creep up significantly. And this is mainly due to the revival after winter hibernation.
Many people think about changing their car in the spring. Debts accrued after the New Year holidays have been paid off, but it’s still too early to take your family to the seas - why not a chance to renew a tired “horse”? In addition, at this time, summer residents and newcomers crawl onto the road, who also urgently need used cars. The market is busy, prices are going through the roof, cars are being swept away instantly... Wait! Wait at least until autumn.
When is the best time to buy a car?
How seasons affect the cost of a new car
You should buy a new car when it is hardest to sell. Let's look at how the months of the year affect the cost of a new car.
January and February. The best time to buy a new car is as it is the end of the financial year for dealers. New-year cars will soon begin arriving in showrooms, so dealers are making room for them and selling off last year's cars. To do this, they reduce the cost of the car by 10-20% and give pleasant bonuses - smartphones, laptops, sets of wheels.
March. A month before new cars arrive in showrooms. The most tempting promotions have passed, gifts have already been distributed, but prices for last year’s models remained low, and some fell even more.
April and May . At the beginning of April, fresh, recently released cars arrive at car dealerships, for which the highest prices are set. It makes no sense for a car dealer to give in on price—cars that have just arrived are sold at full price. If you want to save money, put off buying a car at least until June, and preferably until December.
June and July. People go on vacation, demand for cars falls, and they temporarily become cheaper. Dealers are trying to fulfill the sales plan, so they make concessions - they arrange seasonal offers, discounts or give inexpensive trips to the sea.
August-November. In autumn, people return from vacation. The situation in the car market is reminiscent of spring - the demand for cars is growing, there are no sales or discounts, and there are no gifts either. From mid-October, due to the proximity of the New Year, prices begin to gradually fall.
December. Time for New Year's discounts. This month you can find many interesting offers, however, compared to January, this is an extremely ambiguous period. Marketers take advantage of the New Year's mood of buyers and use various tricks. On emotions, a person can make a rash purchase, which he will regret later.
How seasons affect used car prices
Changes in the market are changing the sentiment and motivation of used car sellers. Let's figure out when it is most profitable to buy a used car from a private owner.
Spring and summer. The demand for used cars is growing; they are being bought by novice drivers who went to driving school in the fall and received their license in the spring. They are looking for the first cars that they don’t mind breaking. Sellers can choose buyers, so they become less accommodating and are in no hurry to sell. At this time, it is difficult to buy a used car profitably.
Autumn and winter. The year of manufacture affects the cost of a used car. No matter how excellent the condition the car is, with the onset of the new year it will become a year older, which means it will become cheaper. Therefore, every seller is in a hurry to sell a used car before the first of January and is ready to give in on the price before the car becomes even cheaper.
In December, the seller can reduce the price in order to have time to buy a new car in January - at this time there are excellent discounts on last year's cars. Therefore, if you are ready to buy a car right away, you can bargain and save 5-10% of the original cost.
When is the best time to buy a car?
Winter is the best time to buy a new car. In December, the number of sales falls, car dealerships reduce car prices, discounts reach 20%. The decline continues into January as potential buyers spend money on New Year's gifts. At the same time, cars become last year’s and begin to lose value. When you sell a car in 2-3 years, the buyer will ask for a discount for the extra year in the title.
It is better to buy a new car in January, and a used one in the first half of December, during low demand and before car dealer promotions.
The main thing is not to rush into the purchase. Select your make, model, and browse listings year-round. Interesting offers appear on the secondary car market, regardless of the time of year.
