When Is the Best Time to Buy a Used Car?

Short answer: The cheapest windows are the last week of a calendar quarter, mid-week rather than Saturday, and the weeks just after a new registration plate lands, when trade-ins flood the forecourt. Timing is worth a few percent; a history check and an independent inspection are worth far more, so never let a deadline push you past those.

Dealers work to monthly and quarterly targets, so a car that has been in stock for 60 days at the end of a quarter is the one with real negotiating room. Ask how long it has been on the forecourt — the answer tells you more than the sticker.

Timing, ranked

The checks that outweigh timing

1. Run a paid history check for outstanding finance, write-off records and mileage discrepancies.
2. Match the service history to the mileage, and look for cambelt and clutch work on higher-mileage cars.
3. Pay for an independent pre-purchase inspection on anything that is not manufacturer-approved used.
4. Test drive cold, from a standing start, including a dual carriageway and a full-lock manoeuvre.
5. Check tyre dates and brand consistency — four mismatched budget tyres hint at how the car was kept.

Electric and hybrid extras

For an EV, ask for a battery state-of-health readout rather than accepting the range display, and check how many rapid charges the car has taken. For hybrids, confirm the traction battery warranty term and whether it transfers to a second owner.