Best time to sell a car

A car is the second-biggest single purchase many people will ever make, and it can easily last 15 years or more. If you've been driving your car for over ten years and your needs have changed, it might be time to sell your vehicle. But when is the perfect time to sell your car?

Factors To Consider When Selling Your Car

Car mileage

The more miles the car has, the less value it will have. Car buyers and auto dealers prefer vehicles under 100,000 mileage, with a maximum of up to 125,000. Cars with over 200,000 miles on them will be challenging to sell. The upside is that you can get good credit for selling a vehicle well past this mileage.

Car age

Newer cars get higher resale values than older cars, but not by as much as you might think. Newer used vehicles tend to sell for less than two years old used cars, only because they are more recent and are in better condition. To maximise your selling price, do not drive any vehicle older than five years.

Timing

The timing of an automobile's sale is contingent on several factors. The best times to sell a car depend on whether you have a car ready for resale, who the buyer is, and when the buyer is looking to buy the car.

If you're a first-time car seller who plans on selling to a private party, avoid selling your car in January or February. These months are very slow for automobile sales. Instead, settle on selling your car in May or June when people want to buy cars.

If you are considering selling your vehicle through a dealer, try selling it in March when dealerships begin offering new models for sale. This would be the best time to sell a car because buyers will be lining up at dealerships.

If your car needs repair, consider selling it in the late fall or winter. During this time, people are looking for inexpensive cars for the following spring and summer months. Dealerships are constantly flooded with customers, so this could be an excellent way to get rid of your vehicle.

Condition

You need a well-maintained vehicle that looks good to get the best price. The best times to sell a car are when people are out buying new models, like in May and June. This is when people are looking to purchase new vehicles because most of the latest models have already been sold.

If you have a car that looks good and is in good condition, it will sell at a higher price. To sell your vehicle at the best price, ensure it's in good running condition. You need to ensure that your car hasn't been damaged and is up-to-date on its required maintenance.

This way, you won't get a lower offer because the buyer thinks they won't be able to drive the car anymore. You need to keep your vehicle in good condition because you want to sell it in good condition. Therefore, it should look as good as it used to.

Location

Where you live will determine the best times to sell a car. If you stay in an urban area and drive a newer model vehicle, selling that car on city streets is probably a bad idea. People could vandalise or damage the vehicle due to its exposed position on the street. However, if you live in rural areas or commute less than ten miles (16km) from home, then selling it on the side of the road wouldn't be such a bad idea.

Buying a car from an individual is usually cheaper and faster than a dealer. However, you'll have to do all the legwork yourself, and you may get less money for your used car than you would when selling it to a dealership.

Car model

The best time of year for selling a car is similar to when buying a new one. Therefore, avoid selling it between August and October. These months are very busy for sports cars and automobile purchases, and it's possible that people won't be able to find the vehicle they want.

Instead, concentrate on selling your used car in May or June when potential buyers want to buy cars. If you want to sell your older model car, wait until the end of spring or the beginning of summer – when people are ready to purchase a new model. Dealers will get more cash for older models because most consumers have already purchased newer vehicles.

Car warranty

When you buy a car, you can acquire a warranty based on your needs. Usually, the longer the warranty is, the more it will cost you. If you have an older model car or your warranty period has ended, there are still things to do to protect yourself. Therefore, car warranties are crucial considerations for car resale.

Credit score

When you buy a new car, you're more likely to receive a loan with a better interest rate if you have good credit. If your credit score is low, it will cost you more money on the interest rate. If you want to sell your car, keep track of your credit score. Research the best times to sell used cars to avoid complications during the selling process.

Car inspection

If your car needs repair or an inspection, try selling it in late fall or winter because people usually look for inexpensive cars for the following spring and summer. If your car has not been inspected and is in good condition, you should get a reasonable price. If you have to spend money on repairs, it might be worth your while to hold off on selling the car.

Car insurance

If you plan on selling your car to a private party, consider lowering your liability insurance a couple of months before you sell the vehicle, including the life insurance. This will increase your chances of getting a better price from customers. If you are selling your car to a dealer, ask if they have any back-end deals for those who carry insurance.

Credit card

If you're planning on purchasing or selling a vehicle in the next few months, consider acquiring or applying for a credit card that rewards points for every dollar spent on gas and oil changes.

These rewards could help pay for new tires and additional care plans if something goes wrong with your new vehicle. If you are selling your car, take a moment to assess your situation to determine the best time to get the highest price for your vehicle.

Best Times To Sell Your Car

Before a new model year

If you're selling a vehicle of the same model as the new one, you must wait until the previous model year has run out. This is because you will get an excellent price for your vehicle if it's used. After all, people are always looking for the latest model year.

Before or after tax season

Many buyers and sellers of new cars and vehicles usually get offers in the months leading up to their tax returns and paychecks. This is because they want to add their vehicles as an asset on top of all the financial help they could receive from government agencies such as VRS.

After a dealer trade-in

You'll usually get a great deal on new cars when you sell your vehicle as a private owner and not through a dealership. This is because dealerships give customers trade-in credit instead of selling used vehicles at a lower price than they paid for them. However, if you sell the car to a dealership, you'll get an excellent price for your used vehicle.

When the market is low

If you want to sell your vehicle at a reasonable price, try selling it at the beginning of the new year or when there is a decrease in the number of used cars for sale. People will have less money to buy vehicles and therefore have to sell their old ones at lower prices because they don't have any extra cash.

End of Summer

If you want to sell a car before Labour Day, the best time would be in late summer when people are getting ready for the fall season. The summer season is usually when people buy new vehicles at a faster pace than during other times of the year because they're preparing for their school years.

End of Spring

If you're selling your car towards the end of spring, you should get a reasonable price for it because people are looking for new vehicles and are ready to purchase them again. As the weather warms up, consumers want to ensure that their cars are in good condition so they'll still be able to drive them during the summer heat and humidity.

Get The Best Prices For Your Used Cars In Australia

Selling your car is more challenging than it seems at first glance, but taking note of the tips above will help you get a better price for your vehicle and help you sell it quickly. There's nothing more frustrating than trying to sell a car that's no longer needed and having nowhere to go with it. To save time and energy trying to sell your car, simply contact a trusted dealership to get it off your hands in no time.