Best Time to Sell Your Car: UK Guide 2026 | Month-by-Month Analysis
Timing isn't everything when selling a car, but it matters more than most people realize. Sell in February instead of December and you could get hundreds more—sometimes thousands on higher-value cars. The difference comes down to seasonal demand, registration plate changes, and buyer behavior patterns across the UK market.
This guide uses real data from Carwow's 2023-2024 sales analysis covering thousands of UK transactions. We'll show you which months deliver the highest prices, which to avoid, and how car type affects timing. Plus, we cover depreciation thresholds, plate change strategy, and when condition matters more than calendar dates.
The Data: Best and Worst Months to Sell
Carwow analyzed their internal valuation data from 2023-2024, focusing on prices offered vs average valuations and total vehicles sold across convertibles, coupes, estates, hatchbacks, saloons, and SUVs. The results are clear: the first half of the year dominates.
| Rank | Best Months (Highest Prices + Sales) | Worst Months (Lowest Prices + Sales) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | February | December |
| 2 | January | October |
| 3 | March | November |
| 4 | June | July |
| 5 | August | September |
| 6 | May | April |
Key insight: Five of the top six best months fall in the first half of the year. The first quarter (Jan-Mar) sweeps the top three spots. Only August breaks the pattern, likely due to sellers rushing to beat September's plate change.
Best Months to Sell: Why Q1 Dominates
February (#1 Overall)
The strongest month for both price and volume. Buyers emerge from post-Christmas recovery with tax refunds, bonuses, and renewed motivation. Dealers stock up ahead of March's plate change and spring demand. Competition from other sellers is still relatively low.
January (#2)
New Year resolutions, end-of-year bonuses hitting bank accounts, and buyers getting ahead of March's rush. Supply is lower (people spent money over Christmas), so well-priced cars move quickly.
March (#3)
New registration plates launch, driving huge new car activity. This creates a secondary wave of used car demand as buyers who missed out on new deals pivot to nearly-new or approved used stock. High volumes sold, though prices dip slightly due to increased competition.
June, August, May (#4-6)
June: Summer approaching, convertibles and weekend cars see demand spikes. Families upgrading before school holidays.
August: The sweet spot before September's plate change—sellers rush to beat the drop, buyers want deals before new stock arrives.
May: Steady demand continues from spring into early summer. Weather improves, people think about road trips.
Strategy: When to list
- Absolute best window: List in late January/early February for maximum price + buyer activity
- Second best: July-August to catch late summer demand before September plate flood
- Avoid: Listing in April (post-March slump) or September-December (weakest demand all year)
Worst Months to Sell: When to Avoid the Market
December (#1 Worst)
Christmas spending, holiday travel, dark evenings, cold weather—everything conspires against car sales. Buyers aren't motivated, and even serious ones wait until January for better deals. December only ranks sixth-worst (not dead last) because proximity to January creates some early-bird activity.
October (#2 Worst)
Post-September plate change hangover. Market flooded with trade-ins from September's new car rush. School term just started (family expenses), and buyers are looking ahead to Christmas rather than car purchases.
November (#3 Worst)
Dark mornings and evenings reduce viewings. Buyers save money for Christmas. Only saving grace: SUV and 4x4 demand picks up slightly as winter approaches, but still weak overall.
July, September, April (#4-6 Worst)
July: School holidays mean families traveling, not buying cars. Some demand for practical/economical cars due to high fuel costs, but overall activity drops.
September: New plates flood the market with trade-ins. Your car instantly looks older. Heavy competition drives prices down.
April: Post-March slump. Buyers who wanted cars already bought in Q1. Market takes a breather.
Reality check: If you MUST sell in Q4 (Oct-Dec), price aggressively and highlight condition/service history. You're competing in a buyer's market where they can afford to wait for deals.
Best Selling Months by Car Type
Car type affects timing. Here's when each category performs best according to Carwow data:
| Car Type | Best Month (Price) | Best Month (Volume) | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Convertibles | April | March | Summer approaching, buyers think about top-down driving |
| Estates | January | March | Family buyers upgrading after Christmas |
| Hatchbacks | January | March | Most popular UK body style, follows general Q1 trend |
| Saloons | January | March | Business/executive buyers upgrade in Q1 |
| SUVs | November | March | Winter demand for 4x4/AWD capability, family practicality year-round |
Key exceptions: Convertibles and SUVs buck the Q1 trend slightly. Convertibles peak in spring (April), while SUVs see a winter price spike (November) despite overall weak market conditions that month.
Registration Plate Changes: March & September Strategy
Every March and September, the DVLA issues new registration plates. This creates two distinct market effects:
Before the change (Jan-Feb, July-Aug):
- Higher demand: Buyers rush to purchase before new plates arrive and their car looks dated
- Dealer stockpiling: Dealers buy heavily to prepare for post-plate rush
- Your car's newest: It retains maximum age appeal—e.g., a '24 plate looks current until March '25
After the change (March, September):
- Market flood: Thousands of trade-ins hit forecourts as buyers upgrade to new registrations
- Instant age perception: Your '24 plate now looks "old" next to fresh '25 plates
- Increased competition: More sellers = lower prices
- Slight value drop: Not massive, but measurable—2-5% depending on car
Plate change timing strategy:
- If selling a nearly-new car: ALWAYS sell before the next plate change to preserve value
- Optimal windows: January-February (pre-March) or July-August (pre-September)
- Avoid: Listing immediately after new plates drop—wait until October or April when competition settles
- Part-exchanging?: March and September dealer incentives might offset value loss—negotiate hard
Despite conventional wisdom suggesting plate changes flood the market (true), the data shows March is still the 3rd best month overall. Why? The sheer volume of buyer activity from new car excitement spills into used market, offsetting increased competition.
Other Factors That Matter More Than Timing
Timing helps, but these factors can override seasonal advantages:
Depreciation thresholds
Sell before major mileage milestones:
- 60,000 miles: Steepest depreciation drop—sell at 55k-59k if possible
- 100,000 miles: Psychological barrier. Six-figure mileage = heavy depreciation
- Rule of thumb: ~20% depreciation per 20,000 miles until 60k, then accelerates
Condition trumps calendar
A well-presented car in December will outsell a shabby one in February. Priorities:
- Full service history: Worth 10-15% premium over patchy records
- Fresh MOT: Removes buyer uncertainty, adds confidence
- Professional valet: £50-£80 investment can return £200-£400 in higher offers
- Minor repairs: Fix kerbed wheels, dents, scratches before listing
Specification and options
Desirable options add value: Sat-nav, leather, parking sensors, heated seats
Popular colors: Not silver/black/white—these dominate used market (high competition). Unusual colors fetch premiums IF the car type suits them (e.g., red sports cars, blue family hatches)
Higher trims: Mid-spec or top-spec models hold value better than base models
Your urgency vs market timing
If you need money fast (relocating, financial emergency, car broke down), sell immediately rather than waiting months for "perfect" timing. Ongoing costs (insurance, tax, depreciation) can exceed seasonal price differences.
Hexham tip: If selling in Northumberland/North East, Q1 demand is particularly strong as northern buyers prepare for spring/summer driving after harsh winters. Emphasize winter reliability and service history.
Final Recommendations from Hexham Dealers
When to sell your car:
- Best timing: List in late January or early February for maximum price + demand
- Second best: July-August (pre-September plate change)
- Convertible exception: Wait until March-April for seasonal premium
- SUV exception: November sees winter demand spike despite weak overall market
- Avoid: October-December unless urgent—weakest prices all year
- Nearly-new cars: ALWAYS sell before next plate change (Jan-Feb or July-Aug)
Selling in Hexham? We're buying year-round
While timing helps maximize value, we offer competitive prices 365 days a year. Get your instant valuation—no pressure, no obligation. Same-day collection across Northumberland.
Timing isn't everything when selling a car, but it matters more than most people realize. Sell in February instead of December and you could get hundreds more—sometimes thousands on higher-value cars. The difference comes down to seasonal demand, registration plate changes, and buyer behavior patterns across the UK market.
This guide uses real data from Carwow's 2023-2024 sales analysis covering thousands of UK transactions. We'll show you which months deliver the highest prices, which to avoid, and how car type affects timing. Plus, we cover depreciation thresholds, plate change strategy, and when condition matters more than calendar dates.
The Data: Best and Worst Months to Sell
Carwow analyzed their internal valuation data from 2023-2024, focusing on prices offered vs average valuations and total vehicles sold across convertibles, coupes, estates, hatchbacks, saloons, and SUVs. The results are clear: the first half of the year dominates.
| Rank | Best Months (Highest Prices + Sales) | Worst Months (Lowest Prices + Sales) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | February | December |
| 2 | January | October |
| 3 | March | November |
| 4 | June | July |
| 5 | August | September |
| 6 | May | April |
Key insight: Five of the top six best months fall in the first half of the year. The first quarter (Jan-Mar) sweeps the top three spots. Only August breaks the pattern, likely due to sellers rushing to beat September's plate change.
Best Months to Sell: Why Q1 Dominates
February (#1 Overall)
The strongest month for both price and volume. Buyers emerge from post-Christmas recovery with tax refunds, bonuses, and renewed motivation. Dealers stock up ahead of March's plate change and spring demand. Competition from other sellers is still relatively low.
January (#2)
New Year resolutions, end-of-year bonuses hitting bank accounts, and buyers getting ahead of March's rush. Supply is lower (people spent money over Christmas), so well-priced cars move quickly.
March (#3)
New registration plates launch, driving huge new car activity. This creates a secondary wave of used car demand as buyers who missed out on new deals pivot to nearly-new or approved used stock. High volumes sold, though prices dip slightly due to increased competition.
June, August, May (#4-6)
June: Summer approaching, convertibles and weekend cars see demand spikes. Families upgrading before school holidays.
August: The sweet spot before September's plate change—sellers rush to beat the drop, buyers want deals before new stock arrives.
May: Steady demand continues from spring into early summer. Weather improves, people think about road trips.
Strategy: When to list
- Absolute best window: List in late January/early February for maximum price + buyer activity
- Second best: July-August to catch late summer demand before September plate flood
- Avoid: Listing in April (post-March slump) or September-December (weakest demand all year)
Worst Months to Sell: When to Avoid the Market
December (#1 Worst)
Christmas spending, holiday travel, dark evenings, cold weather—everything conspires against car sales. Buyers aren't motivated, and even serious ones wait until January for better deals. December only ranks sixth-worst (not dead last) because proximity to January creates some early-bird activity.
October (#2 Worst)
Post-September plate change hangover. Market flooded with trade-ins from September's new car rush. School term just started (family expenses), and buyers are looking ahead to Christmas rather than car purchases.
November (#3 Worst)
Dark mornings and evenings reduce viewings. Buyers save money for Christmas. Only saving grace: SUV and 4x4 demand picks up slightly as winter approaches, but still weak overall.
July, September, April (#4-6 Worst)
July: School holidays mean families traveling, not buying cars. Some demand for practical/economical cars due to high fuel costs, but overall activity drops.
September: New plates flood the market with trade-ins. Your car instantly looks older. Heavy competition drives prices down.
April: Post-March slump. Buyers who wanted cars already bought in Q1. Market takes a breather.
Reality check: If you MUST sell in Q4 (Oct-Dec), price aggressively and highlight condition/service history. You're competing in a buyer's market where they can afford to wait for deals.
Best Selling Months by Car Type
Car type affects timing. Here's when each category performs best according to Carwow data:
| Car Type | Best Month (Price) | Best Month (Volume) | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Convertibles | April | March | Summer approaching, buyers think about top-down driving |
| Estates | January | March | Family buyers upgrading after Christmas |
| Hatchbacks | January | March | Most popular UK body style, follows general Q1 trend |
| Saloons | January | March | Business/executive buyers upgrade in Q1 |
| SUVs | November | March | Winter demand for 4x4/AWD capability, family practicality year-round |
Key exceptions: Convertibles and SUVs buck the Q1 trend slightly. Convertibles peak in spring (April), while SUVs see a winter price spike (November) despite overall weak market conditions that month.
Registration Plate Changes: March & September Strategy
Every March and September, the DVLA issues new registration plates. This creates two distinct market effects:
Before the change (Jan-Feb, July-Aug):
- Higher demand: Buyers rush to purchase before new plates arrive and their car looks dated
- Dealer stockpiling: Dealers buy heavily to prepare for post-plate rush
- Your car's newest: It retains maximum age appeal—e.g., a '24 plate looks current until March '25
After the change (March, September):
- Market flood: Thousands of trade-ins hit forecourts as buyers upgrade to new registrations
- Instant age perception: Your '24 plate now looks "old" next to fresh '25 plates
- Increased competition: More sellers = lower prices
- Slight value drop: Not massive, but measurable—2-5% depending on car
Plate change timing strategy:
- If selling a nearly-new car: ALWAYS sell before the next plate change to preserve value
- Optimal windows: January-February (pre-March) or July-August (pre-September)
- Avoid: Listing immediately after new plates drop—wait until October or April when competition settles
- Part-exchanging?: March and September dealer incentives might offset value loss—negotiate hard
Despite conventional wisdom suggesting plate changes flood the market (true), the data shows March is still the 3rd best month overall. Why? The sheer volume of buyer activity from new car excitement spills into used market, offsetting increased competition.
Other Factors That Matter More Than Timing
Timing helps, but these factors can override seasonal advantages:
Depreciation thresholds
Sell before major mileage milestones:
- 60,000 miles: Steepest depreciation drop—sell at 55k-59k if possible
- 100,000 miles: Psychological barrier. Six-figure mileage = heavy depreciation
- Rule of thumb: ~20% depreciation per 20,000 miles until 60k, then accelerates
Condition trumps calendar
A well-presented car in December will outsell a shabby one in February. Priorities:
- Full service history: Worth 10-15% premium over patchy records
- Fresh MOT: Removes buyer uncertainty, adds confidence
- Professional valet: £50-£80 investment can return £200-£400 in higher offers
- Minor repairs: Fix kerbed wheels, dents, scratches before listing
Specification and options
Desirable options add value: Sat-nav, leather, parking sensors, heated seats
Popular colors: Not silver/black/white—these dominate used market (high competition). Unusual colors fetch premiums IF the car type suits them (e.g., red sports cars, blue family hatches)
Higher trims: Mid-spec or top-spec models hold value better than base models
Your urgency vs market timing
If you need money fast (relocating, financial emergency, car broke down), sell immediately rather than waiting months for "perfect" timing. Ongoing costs (insurance, tax, depreciation) can exceed seasonal price differences.
Hexham tip: If selling in Northumberland/North East, Q1 demand is particularly strong as northern buyers prepare for spring/summer driving after harsh winters. Emphasize winter reliability and service history.
Final Recommendations from Hexham Dealers
When to sell your car:
- Best timing: List in late January or early February for maximum price + demand
- Second best: July-August (pre-September plate change)
- Convertible exception: Wait until March-April for seasonal premium
- SUV exception: November sees winter demand spike despite weak overall market
- Avoid: October-December unless urgent—weakest prices all year
- Nearly-new cars: ALWAYS sell before next plate change (Jan-Feb or July-Aug)
Selling in Hexham? We're buying year-round
While timing helps maximize value, we offer competitive prices 365 days a year. Get your instant valuation—no pressure, no obligation. Same-day collection across Northumberland.