Best time to buy?

[Sholing]

Any advice would be welcome on the best time to buy a nearly new car in the next month or two.

Seen some online advice saying early August as lot of dealers drop prices to shift stock ahead of Sept registrations. Then also seen contrary advice saying wait until September when a lot of part-exchange cars will go on the market.

With WLTP seemingly affecting new car sales (I have cancelled my order for a new VW after being told it won't be here until early 2019), will that increase or decrease the prices of the used car market over the coming months? Cheers.

[Blanchimont]

What're you after first?
The WLTP ruling means that any car currently in the manufacturers portfolio has to be sold, or scrapped (most like stripped).

If you can find a stock car, you'll probably be able to get a good deal.

I managed to get nearly 13k off a Stelvio (with deposit contributions) because it's what the dealer had in. Mrs decided against it though.

[ZX10R NIN]

September is a good time as the dealers normally have a high number of cars they have to get sold so that's a good time but in general there's not really a bad time to buy these days.

[Wooda80]

Blanchimont said:

The WLTP ruling means that any car currently in the manufacturers portfolio has to be sold, or scrapped (most like stripped).

Don't hold your hopes out that you'll walk into a dealer where they are agonising that they have to "sell all these cars or scrap them tomorrow". They'll just be pre-reg'd.

August can be a good time to buy a new car, but often the dealers don't have a meaningful target for August reg and if this is the case then they aren't particularly motivated to offer strong deal.

If you are prepared to take something from stock then 10 days before the end of September can be a good time to place an order for delivery the same month. Dealers will be looking for the last few orders to fulfill the biggest target month of the year ( and quarter target too ).

Same 10 days before the end of the month rule applies to used cars too. November and December are quiet months for used cars in particular, especially when dealers want to de-stock for financial year end.

Of course if you have something to trade in then just as you get a strong deal on the car you are buying, the price you get for your trade in may be depressed if you are selling to a depressed market.

[Sholing]

Thanks

[sie10110]

Been sniffing around a few new car deals recently only to be told by the dealer that there are none left due to WLTP.

Hard to tell which models are readily available in stock or completely out until Q4 or 2019.