Buying a used car this time of year

chrisrsmith

Hi
With the 'new' plates about to launch, beginning of Sept. do you think it's best to await until post this event to buy a used car (1 year old) from a garage main dealer or just buy now.

There will obviously be an influx of trade in's for new plates but am wondering how much of a difference buying a used car now or waiting til say mid/end sept will actually make.

forgotmyname

Depends what your buying and when the last model upgrade was. If there is a new model coming then prices can take a hit.

If its a fairly new model then there maybe little difference and could be better off buying a slightly older car because the plate change may make it appear older.
You might get a great deal on a 13 plate car because when 64 comes out it will be seen as 3 plates old. Does that make sense?

The time to buy one is when you want one and at the price you want to pay.

gilbert_and_sullivan

My best bargains have always been bought in the winter time.

vansboy

November is when trade begins to drop off and preices stabilise.

But there is always going to be deamnd for good clean stock

VB

chrisrsmith

forgotmyname wrote: »

Depends what your buying and when the last model upgrade was. If there is a new model coming then prices can take a hit.

If its a fairly new model then there maybe little difference and could be better off buying a slightly older car because the plate change may make it appear older.
You might get a great deal on a 13 plate car because when 64 comes out it will be seen as 3 plates old. Does that make sense?

The time to buy one is when you want one and at the price you want to pay.

Hi

KIA Sportage. There is a 'facelift' 2014 model and the 2013 is therefore 'not latest'.

Does this change your view?

Thanks

motorguy

forgotmyname wrote: »

Depends what your buying and when the last model upgrade was. If there is a new model coming then prices can take a hit.

If its a fairly new model then there maybe little difference and could be better off buying a slightly older car because the plate change may make it appear older.
You might get a great deal on a 13 plate car because when 64 comes out it will be seen as 3 plates old. Does that make sense?

The time to buy one is when you want one and at the price you want to pay.

A dealer isnt going to drop the price of august used stock just because of the price change, or certainly not more than he can discount to right now with a bit of encouragement.

Also, even when the plate change happens, it'll be 3-4 weeks before those traded in cars appear on the forecourt, by the time it gets traded in, prep'd and onto the forecourt.

Dependant on what you want you may well get a bargain based on when the hire / lease companies dispose of their stock.

I got a mint 9 month old Golf mk6 1.6 TDI S this time last year from a main dealer for £12,400 when list price was around £20,000.

Right now you can buy a mk7 Golf 1.6 TDI S from main dealers for £13,000 or less at 9 months old, making them cracking value.

Yet in two or three months time they'll all be gone and prices will be up.

motorguy

My advice would be buy a car when you *need* to, do your homework on price and negotiate hard.

Theres always going to be some reason to wait 3 months for "cheaper" cars.

chrisrsmith

motorguy wrote: »

A dealer isnt going to drop the price of august used stock just because of the price change, or certainly not more than he can discount to right now with a bit of encouragement.

Also, even when the plate change happens, it'll be 3-4 weeks before those traded in cars appear on the forecourt, by the time it gets traded in, prep'd and onto the forecourt.

Dependant on what you want you may well get a bargain based on when the hire / lease companies dispose of their stock.

I got a mint 9 month old Golf mk6 1.6 TDI S this time last year from a main dealer for £12,400 when list price was around £20,000.

Right now you can buy a mk7 Golf 1.6 TDI S from main dealers for £13,000 or less at 9 months old, making them cracking value.

Yet in two or three months time they'll all be gone and prices will be up.

Wow - brilliant deal. However, how do you know when these vehicles (lease) are going to be around and which garages?