Remember remember to buy in November

Sometimes you cannot help when you need to change your car.

The sight of people stranded by the roadside with their arms folded staring demonically at a hazard light flashing car is not uncommon.

Exasperation leads to the purchase of a new car. Ironically in most cases it follows a large bill to fix the catalytic problem which in our experience rarely manifests itself again but once that seed has been sown it is very hard to ignore.

There is also the circumstantial need. A lady with a bump, a set of L plates and a puppy are all welcome sights at any car dealership as these are sure signs of a new car requirement.

Emotional factors conspire to drive (excuse the tacky pun) other people to a car change. I once sold a Rover 216i cabriolet to a couple on a glorious Sunday morning. Not unusual in itself but the fact they were wearing paint splattered overalls, had a car full of paint and the fact our dealership was next to Homebase suggested it may have been something of an impulse purchase.

Some people however have the steely resolve to look for a car when they feel the market is ripe for the best deal.

It was often considered that the best time to buy a car (new or used) was in August when dealers were chasing new car targets and many more used vehicles hit the market. The motor trade forced a change eight years ago to March and September plate changes so the significance of these dates has been reduced.

I now believe November is the best month to buy a used car specifically. Why?

Primarily it seems the retail public hide away in November. The looming expense and lack of holiday before Christmas has a massive impact.

The seasonal change of reduced daylight and colder weekends can also affect the psychological prospect of going to examine used cars.

The supply of used cars increases as many large fleet operators and dealer groups try to reduce stocking levels before year end so the disposal process starts in November.

Manufacturers are starting to review their year activities and pressure is applied to their dealers to hit targets which has a knock on affect to their used car buying activity.

All of these factors outlined above conspire to force an abnormally higher reduction to both wholesale and retail prices alike.

Be warned though, mid December normally heralds a return for car buyers as they reconcile their Christmas expenditure with the purchase of a new car.

Many savvy dealers are also very active with purchasing as they aim to counter the strong wholesale prices often seen in January so supply can dwindle.

Jamie