Is it true that there is a right time and a wrong time of year to sell a car? Surely it doesnt matter when you sell, providing your car is in good shape and you ask for the right price? Wrong – the changing of the seasons means more than a shift in weather when it comes to car sales. While the conventional wisdom states you sell your convertible in spring and your 4×4 in autumn for the best price, there are other factors to take into consideration. Heres how the seasons could help you to a bargain, or a big ticket spend.
Spring Fever
If you get early spring sunshine then the market for a convertible is blown wide open. Budget soft tops are also good sells in the spring. And in spring the change in registration plates creates a mini-market – there are few sales before the registration plate change in March, and it can be hard to drive a bargain. After the plate change, look at the dealerships to see which cars they have bought in part-exchange which they want to off-load quickly, for a decent price.
Summer Love
Its not easy to sell a car when everyone is on holiday or thinking about a holiday. Dealers quieten and the market falls away. It is difficult to see 4x4s without the bad weather of autumn or winter. If you need to buy in the summer, look for any cars that the dealer wants to get rid of. You may get yourself a bargain by searching hard selling for a good price is another matter. Beware of selling in summer unless you really have to.
Autumn Leaves
The 4×4 market starts to grow as the weather gets a little worse, but the incentives of owning an off-road vehicle could be wiped out if the Chancellor increases the VAT on fuel. Many people are looking for an economical and reliable car so you could get a good deal if you are selling a small-engined family car.
Winter Snow
Buying during the festive season can be a good idea because there is plenty of stock and everyones out shopping for something, which can bring the prices down. If theres a heavy snowfall thats when its time to sell your 4×4. Many people realise the financial consequences of being unable to drive away from their homes and start to consider the practicalities of owning an off-road vehicle. Sports cars? Save them for the New Year, when the average car buyer starts to think of aspirational purchases to spice up their lives.
But whenever you decide to put your car on the market and it is not always possible to choose make sure it is fit for sale and you have made the necessary preparations to get the best possible price for your vehicle.
Image attributed to FreeDigitalPhotos.net Dr Joseph Valks
