When is the Best Time to Buy a Used Car?

December 8th, 2022 by

Are you contemplating buying a used or certified pre-owned vehicle and wondering if there’s a good time to buy? There are several times of year when it makes sense to buy a used vehicle, and your timing can affect the price you pay for that coveted car. Knowing when time to buy a used car can assist you in preparing ahead or perhaps upgrading your vehicle selection. Nucar Nissan of North Attleboro of North Attleborough, Massachusetts, put together the best times to save on your used car purchase.

White Nissan Sentra

Image used with permission via nissanusa.com

 

The Holiday Season

Some of the best deals and price incentives on appliances, gaming consoles, computers, and mobile phones are offered during the festive season, and buying a used car isn’t any different. Car dealerships join traditional retailers in the holiday season with excellent discounts to meet their year-end sales targets. Sales teams often extend warranties on used vehicles as an additional incentive.

Many people trade in their used cars for new vehicles at this time of year, which offers you more selection. Seasonal trends can impact the price of a used car, but we recommend planning ahead of time, as holiday deals often start earlier than expected.

End of the Year

Dealerships sweeten price reductions and financing options toward the end of the calendar year. A cold winter sometimes prevents prospective buyers from laboring across town to view used cars, so there’s less demand, and dealerships lower prices too.

If there is a larger number of vehicles to choose from during the end of the year, you may negotiate a better deal or reduced price. It also increases your chance of finding your dream used car, and an auto dealer is often willing to reduce the number of cars in an overcrowded lot or showroom. Shopping at the end of the year may help you secure your favorite used car at an unbeatable price with the added advantage of sweet Christmas deals. Car dealerships look to reduce stock and sales teams often want to beat annual sales budgets.

End of the Month or Quarter

Sales teams are more willing to negotiate discounts towards the end of a month or quarter to meet or beat their sales targets. Dealerships often set deadlines for the end of the month or quarter, so March, June, October, and December are good times to shop for a used car. Sometimes used car inventory is lower than new vehicles, but you can benefit if the sales team needs to meet their monthly or quarterly targets and sales goals. You may have more negotiating power if a used car has been on the lot for a while.

The last quarter, October through December, is an excellent time to buy a used car, as it co-coincides with the season most people tend to buy new cars at most dealerships. This means there are more used car trade-ins and a better selection of used vehicles. If you’re looking for an extra special price, December is the best month to shop.

Off-Season

Vehicle shoppers purchase more SUVs in the fall or winter and when schools start. Some shoppers trade in their large SUVs for crossovers and smaller cars in the spring for a more fuel-efficient summer holiday ride. If an SUV is on your shopping list, buying a used one in the spring or early summer may save you money.

Convertibles are popular summer vehicles to enjoy top-down leisure in the sun. If a convertible is on your used car shopping list, you may try negotiating a smashing deal in the winter months.

Best Days of the Week

Weekends are busy at most car dealerships, so visit early in the week for a less rushed and more seamless shopping experience. A quieter dealership showroom allows you the time to ask questions and speed along the transaction. You may even negotiate a better car trade-in value in a less hurried environment.

In some towns, dealerships close on a Sunday, which keeps sales teams busy concluding transactions and arranging finance on Mondays. If that’s the case in your town or city, visit your local dealership on a Tuesday or Wednesday.

Three-Day Holiday Weekends

On three-day holiday weekends, where Friday or Monday is a holiday, car dealerships offer some reduced prices and are often open to moderate negotiation. If you visit the dealership earlier in the week, you can get all your questions answered and test-drive vehicles ahead of time. Being prepared may help you negotiate the best deal in the least amount of time. Three-day holiday weekends include President’s Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day.

Black Friday

Just like traditional retailers, car dealerships offer outstanding discounts on Black Friday. Toward the end of the year, sales teams and dealerships reduce prices to clear excess stock and meet year-end sales targets.

We recommend planning far ahead, as Black Friday deals often start the week before Thanksgiving and sometimes continue through the weekend to Cyber Monday. If you can, get pre-approved for a used car loan a few weeks before Black Friday, as that smooths over your auto financing options and processes on that day.

Prepare in Advance

The best time of year to buy a used car is after researching all your options. Prepare in advance and consider consulting manufacturer websites and viewing road tests and ratings at Consumer Reports. Choosing the right used car model, reviewing reliability and safety information, and knowing how much you can afford will help you make the right choice. Used car deals often reflect current market trends. If SUVs are popular right now, that might mean sharper deals for smaller car shoppers.

Nucar Nissan of North Attleboro of North Attleborough delights in offering a seamless and informed shopping experience. Contact us or visit our showroom and allow our helpful auto experts assist you in planning your used car purchase. In the meantime, check out our certified pre-owned Nissans or used car specials on our website. We can help you cruise around North Attleborough, Massachusetts, in style.

Posted in Nissan Vehicles