Best time of year to sell a car

Zoney

Just planning ahead here and working out savings/budgets for the year ahead, wondering when is the best time of year to sell a car? (or is there such a thing?)

Only got the car a few months ago, but thinking next year sometime to upgrade (maybe August?) as probably within budget by then to get something with a fancier interior (happy enough with the car otherwise). I'd like to minimise the loss from purchase price to selling price. Car's unlikely to need any work if sold next year, was originally thinking of keeping it maybe 2.5 years and it'd probably need some routine stuff by then (and NCT after 2 yrs). It's 8 years old now, and I'm thinking I'd be happier moving to something newer once it's 9 years old, rather than wait till 10/11 years old.

Of course I might be better saving the cash, but this probably isn't the forum for that advice!

Shouldn't need to sell the car to buy the new one, so trade-in isn't a definitive requirement.

butler_767

It depends on the kind of car really, if it is convertable or even has a sunroof (or even a rear wheel drive) its going to be easier to sell before summer.

On the other hand if it is a front wheel drive (or better still 4 wheel) and also if it has a few goodies like heated seats it will be easier to sell it before winter

Zoney

Just an ordinary family car (Laguna II).

How much motor tax should be left on it for an attractive enough sale? I guess I don't really want to sell just after paying for another year's tax, just thinking of that issue now. Could mean selling it in as little as 6 months time so, or else wait a year and a half.

rocky

Laguna II? Don't think there'll be much difference, has to be very cheap anyway.