when is it the best time to buy a car

[rozia]

cheap?

[Maydup]

Tomorrow is one of the quietest days for car sales, so you'd grab a bargain for sure. Or anytime between now and the new year.

[4candles]

Just after the seller gets back from the pub. ;·)

[SpikeyBush]

From a dealer, best time is towards the end of the month. If they are falling short of their sales targets they will be more obliging in order to shift stock.

Other good times would be just before the new registration year for a new car, as everyone will be hanging on to get the new plate on their drive, or for a used car, just after the new plate has come out as there will be more trade-ins to get rid of than you can shake a stick at.

[mdoo2]

Define best time ?

[SpikeyBush]

One would assume that 'best time' posted by a buyer would be when there would be the best chance of getting a few bob knocked off the screen price of a jam jar that is for sale.

[Dodger666]

If you mean a new car, when a revamp edition of a particular model is out and the dealer wants to get rid of the old models quickly.

[buildersmate]

Generally between 0900hrs and 2000hrs.

[TWR]

Anytime, it depends on a lot of things, is it cash,cheque,HP. do you have a trade in, late in the day might get you a better deal, look in your local papers, Ebay, Supermarket Notice boards.

[cazzz1975]

winter is a good time to buy a soft top, summer is a good time to buy a 4x4, big thirsty cars tend to be cheaper all year round.

certain makes will always hold their price well

[roverdave]

Have you tried the auctions, I buy at auction and traditionally the trade is overstocked at this time of year so auction prices are lower as motor traders are buying less stock.

[venator]

Auctions, definitely, but take along an experienced mechanic if possible, and do one of the online checks to make sure the history is OK!

[rozia]

thanks everyone, i really meant to ask is it better before or after xmas?......going to start looking for a nice used car now, cant afford new!!! worried about trade, due to stories about clocking back, do people actually do that at this day and age?

[SpikeyBush]

This day and age it is easier to clock a car. Years ago you had to take the speedo out and manually wind it back which would cause other damage, eg it reading 70mph when you are stuck behind a tractor or bicycle. Nowadays a car can be clocked by plugging a laptop in to the ecu. No telltale scrapes from screwdrivers prizing the facia apart any more. You have to really look hard at the overall condition, and ask yourself "is it right that the bonnet of this E-class is so pebbledashed after only 30,000 miles" especially if there are brand new rubbers on the pedals to disguise the worn-out ones that have seen 150,000 miles of motoring