Yesterday

Why winter might be the best time to sell your car

Fewer listings, hungrier buyers - and your car in the spotlight

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Conventional wisdom says winter is a quieter time for selling cars. The nights draw in, the roads are grimy, and most sellers are thinking more about mince pies than haggling with buyers. But when it comes to auctions, especially on PistonHeads, that slowdown can actually work in your favour.

When others hold off, your car stands out. With fewer listings in the market, there’s less noise and more visibility for yours – and serious buyers are still out there, scrolling through PistonHeads auctions from the comfort of their sofa. The ones still looking at this time of year aren’t tyre-kickers; they’re ready to buy.

We see it every winter: fewer cars for sale, but demand is still strong, with November and December ranking among our strongest sale rates of 2024. Buyers know the good stuff doesn’t stop appearing just because it’s cold outside. From track toys ready for spring to dream cars lined up for the new year, the market never really sleeps.

And because PistonHeads auctions runs entirely online, you don’t need to brave the cold to make it happen. Our team handles everything from the professional photography to the copywriting and listing set up. You just approve your listing and let the bidders do their thing, hassle free.

So if you’ve been thinking of selling, don’t wait for the daffodils. Fewer listings mean stronger exposure and hungrier buyers as a result. Whether it’s a premium, performance or collectible car, there’s no time like the present to sell.

Apply to sell with PistonHeads auctions now – because in a quieter market, your car makes the most noise.

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Apply to sell with PistonHeads auctions today

[Tubbycharged]

Blatant advertising drivel

[V41LEY]

Shameless

[ridds]

Indeed, particularly when then market is at its lowest for a long time.

[Tisy]

" Fewer listings mean stronger exposure and hungrier buyers as a result. "

LOL.

What about the bit a few paragraphs above where you said that the market is dead because everyone is thinking about eating mince pies and not buying cars? Well that obviously means with less people bidding, your car sells for only £2.50.

I think the first reply has it right.

[hotrod30]

So sad to see what Pistonheads has become over the years. I understand the online auction is an important revenue stream for you, but your editorial talks to us like we're hapless children. We know how the used car market works seasonally... please going forward can you stamp all your articles when they are self-promotion pieces. Just saying.

[The Moose]

Do you have any data to back this up or is it just shameless marketing bs?

[PRO5T]

Err, car selling website advocates selling your car via their own website-if it keeps the forums going I'm all for it!

[Panthro]

PRO5T said:

Err, car selling website advocates selling your car via their own website-if it keeps the forums going I'm all for it!

Exactly. It's amazing how short sighted forums users are.

[Ben Lowden]

The Moose said:

Do you have any data to back this up or is it just shameless marketing bs?

Yep, January 2024 had our highest sale rate of the year, followed by November and December. We are currently at our highest sale rate of the year this November

Panthro said:

PRO5T said:

Err, car selling website advocates selling your car via their own website-if it keeps the forums going I'm all for it!

Exactly. It's amazing how short sighted forums users are.

[Mercutio]

hotrod30 said:

So sad to see what Pistonheads has become over the years. I understand the online auction is an important revenue stream for you, but your editorial talks to us like we're hapless children. We know how the used car market works seasonally... please going forward can you stamp all your articles when they are self-promotion pieces. Just saying.

How much do you pay to access Pistonheads as a reader again?

[Mercutio]

PRO5T said:

Err, car selling website advocates selling your car via their own website-if it keeps the forums going I'm all for it!

I'm really glad to see this comment.

As a user, you get free open access to articles, a well run forum, and occasionally some good bits of journalism thrown in.

People sometimes critique this place like it should be Octane or the Road Rat.

[-Cappo-]

The Moose said:

Do you have any data to back this up or is it just shameless marketing bs?

They’re just trying to boost business by punting new ideas, The Moose.

[ChocolateFrog]

Articles should have clear distinctions between the journalistic stuff and the adverts.

I thought promotional stuff had to be clearly marked as such or does PH not count as Social Media.

[ChocolateFrog]

Mercutio said:

hotrod30 said:

So sad to see what Pistonheads has become over the years. I understand the online auction is an important revenue stream for you, but your editorial talks to us like we're hapless children. We know how the used car market works seasonally... please going forward can you stamp all your articles when they are self-promotion pieces. Just saying.

How much do you pay to access Pistonheads as a reader again?

The same amount as I pay to read anything on the internet.

They're lucky to have me (and everyone else).

[Ben Lowden]

ChocolateFrog said:

Articles should have clear distinctions between the journalistic stuff and the adverts.

I thought promotional stuff had to be clearly marked as such or does PH not count as Social Media.

It does when we're paid to promote third party content, but not we're promoting our own website.

[Mercutio]

Ben Lowden said:

It does when we're paid to promote third party content, but not we're promoting our own website.

Exactly!

[Vsix and Vtec]

I think this is wonderfully tongue-in-cheek, I can almost see the writer sniggering to themselves as they composed it.

[Gerradi]

ChocolateFrog said:

The same amount as I pay to read anything on the internet.

They're lucky to have me (and everyone else).

TBH This place has gone down hill since Garlick ...

[maz8062]

The cars that I've sold over the years have tended to be snapped up in the off-season or late autumn. I've just sold my Boxster. I think some folk, serious buyers, tend to look for "bargains" at this time of year, and it is often when sellers are deciding whether to get rid of or SORN a car, especially convertibles. Motivated sellers and eager buyers = sale.

[stuart100]

Bull st