When is a good time to buy a car?

[sarah1980]

I am looking to buy a second-hand car, I do not have a part-ex vehicle and will be paying cash. It is actually gonna be a Christmas present for someone.

Obviously buying a used car I will not have the choice that I would if I were buying a new one, but the vehicle I'm looking at is fairly ubiquitous and I do not have my heart set on a particular colour/spec.

So the question is, do I look for this in September/October time or do I wait till December? Is there ever a good time to purchase a used car? If I went to a dealer will they be offering bigger discounts at Xmas when business is usually slow? (esp. considering the current and forecast climate). if it is a private seller does it follow that they may be looking to raise money around Christmas and therefore I'd get a better deal?

I'm not trying to fleece anyone of course, but every MSE fan wants a good deal. right? ;-)

Any advice gratefullly received - thanks.

[BenL]

You can start to get ideas and research fully from September, from buying the car to taking delivery of a used car is usually about 1 week (valeting, you proving you are insured to take the car, payment clearance?) etc unless its a private seller.

You will still have a good choice of cars/colours/spec, just takes a bit of hunting to find one you want.

With cars, they make thousands of them all the same so if you see one you like but there are niggles or doubts about it walk away as you will be able to find another very similar.