I was just wondering as it looks like my Octy may be going, what is the best time of year to buy a used car? I know there are "dead" times of year when selling isn't a good idea, but is there a good time to actually be buying?

To a certain extent I have flexibility as to when I buy as I have some money set aside so could probably stretch to buy the replacement car before the Octy goes (which won't be until May at the earliest).

Thanks in advance.

July/August I believe when buying from a dealer.

If private I wouldn't imagine there'd be much variation.

well i would say youve already missed the best time until the next reg change anyway

during sept and mar there is so much interest in new reg's that used can get forgotton, but dealers still have targets for used. so by going in and asking about used at that time is always good. leave it close till the end of the month, say a week or so and that will help your cause. as long as its a cash deal and they have the car for you on site, they should be looking for the deal

although anytime near the end of the month is good if they have the stock there. allot of places can only hold stock for a short while, so when it could be aproaching that deadline they would rather shift it at a minimal profit than let it slip away

shame your not nearer me, i'd get you a good deal

I'd say you'd have more bargaining power in January. People have usually over spent at Christmas and are booking there holidays up, people are always happy to see a bit of cash come in.

I'd say you'd have more bargaining power in January. People have usually over spent at Christmas and are booking there holidays up, people are always happy to see a bit of cash come in.

nah last jan was pretty good down here for sales. feb was lean, march more so for used. then august was a bit quiet until the last week or so anyway.

I go for December... when everyone's spending on christmas.....

I always replace mine in april, 'cause its my b'day, and I like to treat myself!

any ideas as to what to replace it with Rob?

I go for December... when everyone's spending on christmas.....

Seconded - and we did buy then

What's on the 'wish list' Rob?

Thanks for the replies everyone.

The list so far:

Mk1 Octy vRS (although tbh I think I will have to give this a miss on the grounds of fuel economy :( probable move to a job some distance away)

Mk1 Octy PD130 if within budget (potential )

Fabia PD100 (again lol) or a vRS (latter unlikely on the basis of cost - budget c. 5k absolute max)

Stranger one, but a mk2 Golf GTI (16v if poss) is tempting, especially because of easy to work on mechanicals.

TBH, the change of car is more because I have to than through choice. I need to be practical about things though, I may be looking at 20+ mile commute, and I don't exactly earn a huge wage so anything that'll be doing less than 30mpg I'm afraid is pretty much out. I am still tempted by a mk1 Octy vRS . . . I think that'd be the one I'd most want out of the list.

I do have time on my side to a certain extent though so I can spend some time sifting through the used car market.

On a slightly OT, but if anyone has any reccomendations for something with reasonable performance, 30mpg+ (more the better really) economy and at least a Fabia sized load space?