When Is the Best Time to Sell Your Car in the UK?

Car Owl

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Summary

• Spring (March-May) is the best time to sell: Tax rebate season and better weather bring more buyers.
• Sell before major milestones: Before 100,000 miles, before the next MOT, or before the new registration plate change.
• Avoid December: Christmas spending means fewer car buyers. Prices drop 5-10%.

Selling your car at the right time can put hundreds — even thousands — of extra pounds in your pocket. The used car market has predictable peaks and troughs throughout the year, and understanding them can make a real difference.

Best Months to Sell

March to May (Spring)

Spring is the peak selling season. There are several reasons:

• New registration plates: The March plate change means many people trade in old cars, but it also brings a flood of buyers looking for used bargains
• Tax rebates and bonuses: End of financial year means some buyers have extra cash
• Better weather: People are more willing to go car shopping when it's not freezing
• Longer days: More daylight for viewings and test drives

September

The second registration plate change in September creates another spike in demand. It's not as strong as spring, but prices are typically 3-5% higher than in midsummer.

Worst Months to Sell

December

The worst month to sell a car. People are spending money on Christmas, not cars. Expect 5-10% less than the same car would fetch in spring.

January

Post-Christmas budgets are tight. Many people have credit card bills to pay. However, some bargain hunters emerge in late January as the spring market begins warming up.

August

Families are on holiday and school is out. Fewer buyers are actively looking, and those who are expect discounts.

Sell Before Key Milestones

• Before 100,000 miles: Cars under 100k miles are perceived as lower risk. The drop in value once you pass this threshold can be significant
• Before MOT expiry: A car with a fresh MOT is much easier to sell. If yours expires soon, get it done before advertising
• Before it's 3 years old: Cars under 3 years hold value better. The depreciation curve steepens after this point
• Before expensive repairs: If you know the timing belt or clutch needs doing, sell before that cost hits
• Before a new model launches: When the replacement model comes out, the old one drops in value

Seasonal Considerations by Car Type

• Convertibles: Sell in spring or early summer. Nobody wants a convertible in November
• 4x4s and SUVs: Autumn and early winter are surprisingly good times as buyers prepare for bad weather
• Small city cars: Year-round demand, but slightly better in spring and September
• Performance cars: Spring and summer when people fancy a fun car

Tips for Getting the Best Price

1. Time it right: Aim for March-May or September
2. Present it well: Clean inside and out. A valet costs £50-£100 but can add much more to the selling price
3. Get the MOT done: A fresh 12-month MOT reassures buyers
4. Gather all documentation: Service history, MOT certificates, V5C, spare key
5. Price it competitively: Check Auto Trader and similar sites for comparable cars
6. Take quality photos: Good photos attract more enquiries. Clean car, good lighting, multiple angles

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