Best time of the year to buy a car...

[1 AJC]

As per title, especially MINI. I have heard how notorious BMW/MINI are with discounts, but when is the best time of year to buy? Xmas/new year time?

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

The end of a dealer's sales quarter is a good one (for my local dealer, that's the end of March / June / September and December) and away from the start of the new year and away from registration change dates. So June could be a good time....

Tigger.

[1 AJC]

Bit of scope then! December/January I can imagine people cutting back spending after xmas and so forth but I would've thought that is counteracted by those ordering for the new march registration?

Any dealers care to share your secrets!?

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by 1 AJC (original)

Bit of scope then! December/January I can imagine people cutting back spending after xmas and so forth but I would've thought that is counteracted by those ordering for the new march registration?

People cutting back after Christmas should be counteracted by all those wanting to order for a registration at the beginning of the year. The year the car is registered in has a greater affect on its resale value than the regsitration does.

[jlove]

My Cooper was registered 30 June... ordered for July but 'incentive' to register in June.

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)

The year the car is registered in has a greater affect on its resale value than the regsitration does.

PLATE PREJUDICE COSTS NEW CAR BUYERS HUNDREDS OF POUNDS

Research from EurotaxGlass’s, publisher of Glass’s Guide, has revealed that new cars registered between the months of March and August (inclusive) will typically retain £300 more than those bought at any other time of year during an average three year period of ownership.

EurotaxGlass’s analysed over 100,000 trade values, measuring the price difference between identical three-year-old models registered from March to August (bearing the 02, 03, 04, etc, plate identifier) and September to February (bearing the 52, 53, 54, etc, plate identifier). It found that the owner of a three-year-old car registered during the period March to August would, on average, be offered £300 more in part exchange than someone trading-in a three-year-old example of the same model registered between September and February.

“Used car buyers remain willing to pay more for the most up-to-date registration plate available within their budget, but dealers consistently report a price premium for the March to August plate series – 02, 03, 04, etc – because people find it much easier to identify the age of the car,” comments Adrian Rushmore, Managing Editor at EurotaxGlass’s.

“In the typical year, sales during the period September to February usually account for around 45 per cent of total annual registrations, so these weaker residual values are affecting a very significant number of used cars.”

-Ends-

About EurotaxGlass’s
William Glass first published Glass’s Guide to Car Values back in 1933. Today, EurotaxGlass’s International AG is Europe's leading supplier of automotive intelligence; a group with unrivalled resources and market knowledge. The company operates in 30 countries and offers a wide range of automotive data products and solutions that are used at every stage of the vehicle lifecycle. They include used car valuation and forecast data, technical and specification information, fleet management tools, and collision repair estimating and bodyshop management systems.

Currently, the fastest-growing part of the company is the EurotaxGlass’s Market Intelligence Unit (EGMIU), which provides bespoke data and analysis for the pan-European automotive industry at large. In the UK, EurotaxGlass’s also provides valuation data direct to consumers, via the ‘Glass’s Motoring Guide’ website (Glass's Used Car Prices, Vehicle Valuations, Motorbike Prices).

For more information visit EurotaxGlass's online at Eurotaxglass's (trade), Glass's Used Car Prices, Vehicle Valuations, Motorbike Prices (consumer).

[AprilWhine]

I would say the best time to buy a car is when you need one.

[T8MS_X]

Christmas. I got £2700 off the forecourt price of my car because they were desperate to meet targets.

[billy.batson]

I got a special price if I registered my new car in February (though I didn't know at the time that was why). However when I realised the new 08 plate was due in March, I stuck out for March 1st delivery at the same price, and they agreed.

After all, who wants an 07 registration plate just days before 08 comes out? It must have some bearing on the resale price. A buyer just sees 07 and is not concerned whether you bought it in the last few days of 07 !

[1 AJC]

Tom, £2700 seems a lot from a MINI dealer! Was it an S? what was the year, spec and the final price if you dont mind me asking?

[Posts001]

Buying a MINI, the best time is now

[Morro]

If you just look at economics, next year is always better. You'll save a bundle (and never get a car).

[1 AJC]

In terms of an economic recession, yes. But BMW/MINI are notorious for not backing down...

[captint]

There is a formula to this somewhere, I saw it on a Sky 3 program, second hand car roadshow, it was something weird like Thursday the 22nd of March at 15:00 or something

[1 AJC]

Pity its the 6th april now!