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By Tia Harrison-North
Knowing when to buy a car in the UK can make a big difference on how much you’ll spend and the offers available. That’s true for both new and used cars.
Our guide will explain the best times of year to buy a car, what to look for, why market conditions matter and how to time your purchase for the best savings.
In summary:
It’s definitely a great time to buy new and used cars – used cars in particular have seen a decrease in price. It’s a real buyer’s market.
New car supply is improving, with over 1 million new registrations in the first half of 2025 alone, and that means the used market is expanding as well.
The rise of low-priced electric car brands has alsoincreased, and has meant the used car market is adjusting EV prices to suit the new market.
The semiconductor shortage on new cars that happened in the early 2020s has largely stabilised, meaning new car production is smoother and quicker. That’s also taken the strain off the used car market and allowed prices to drop.
Dealers start clearing stock for the new registration plates arriving in September and March, so often have offers running and will be more open to negotiations
The plate change means a lot of used cars enter the market, so supplier is higher and prices softer. There may also be some leftover deals on new cars.
This is a simple one – people are on holiday and not thinking about cars. The exception is convertibles, as drivers want to get in on those roof-down drives.
Dealers might also be more flexible with prices in the warmer months to keep up sales momentum.
Festive spending can make budgets tighter, so it’s not always an ideal time to buy a car. Dealers are often pushing for end-of-year targets, and this could help you secure a discount.
So, in theory, planning your car shopping around:
Dealers often work to monthly targets, so visiting towards the end of the month can mean you’re helping on that last push. They might be more eager to help you secure a better deal.
Finding an occasion where sales staff can give you more time might help you get a better deal. Early mornings, mid-week and sunny days when fewer people are car shopping will help you get the most attention.
Planning ahead can help you save money when car shopping. If you know you want a convertible for summer, then go shopping in the winter – and consider finding the perfect winter SUV in the hotter months.
You can find other helpful information for buying new and used cars in our guides:
Timing your next car purchase with the plate change, sunny weather or festive season can mean you make savings on a big purchase.
Whether you’re looking for a new or used car, you can browse the full range of Marshall vehicles for sale and find your perfect match.
By Tia Harrison-North
Knowing when to buy a car in the UK can make a big difference on how much you’ll spend and the offers available. That’s true for both new and used cars.
Our guide will explain the best times of year to buy a car, what to look for, why market conditions matter and how to time your purchase for the best savings.
In summary:
It’s definitely a great time to buy new and used cars – used cars in particular have seen a decrease in price. It’s a real buyer’s market.
New car supply is improving, with over 1 million new registrations in the first half of 2025 alone, and that means the used market is expanding as well.
The rise of low-priced electric car brands has alsoincreased, and has meant the used car market is adjusting EV prices to suit the new market.
The semiconductor shortage on new cars that happened in the early 2020s has largely stabilised, meaning new car production is smoother and quicker. That’s also taken the strain off the used car market and allowed prices to drop.
Dealers start clearing stock for the new registration plates arriving in September and March, so often have offers running and will be more open to negotiations
The plate change means a lot of used cars enter the market, so supplier is higher and prices softer. There may also be some leftover deals on new cars.
This is a simple one – people are on holiday and not thinking about cars. The exception is convertibles, as drivers want to get in on those roof-down drives.
Dealers might also be more flexible with prices in the warmer months to keep up sales momentum.
Festive spending can make budgets tighter, so it’s not always an ideal time to buy a car. Dealers are often pushing for end-of-year targets, and this could help you secure a discount.
So, in theory, planning your car shopping around:
Dealers often work to monthly targets, so visiting towards the end of the month can mean you’re helping on that last push. They might be more eager to help you secure a better deal.
Finding an occasion where sales staff can give you more time might help you get a better deal. Early mornings, mid-week and sunny days when fewer people are car shopping will help you get the most attention.
Planning ahead can help you save money when car shopping. If you know you want a convertible for summer, then go shopping in the winter – and consider finding the perfect winter SUV in the hotter months.
You can find other helpful information for buying new and used cars in our guides:
Timing your next car purchase with the plate change, sunny weather or festive season can mean you make savings on a big purchase.
Whether you’re looking for a new or used car, you can browse the full range of Marshall vehicles for sale and find your perfect match.
