Best Month of the Year to Buy a Car – Insider Secrets for Big Savings

Best month of the year to buy a car revealed! Discover when dealers offer the biggest discounts and how to score your dream ride for less.

Best Month of the Year to Buy a Car 🚗💸

Ever wonder when is the best time to buy a car? You’re not alone, and the answer might surprise you.

The best month to buy a car is December. Yes, that’s right! While everyone is out shopping or staying warm, car dealers are trying to meet their sales goals. This is good for you if you know how to use it to your advantage.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly why December is the best, other months with good deals, and how to plan your car purchase like a pro.

Why Timing Matters in Car Buying ⏳

Timing is very important in car buying. Here’s why:

• Dealers have monthly, quarterly, and yearly quotas.
• Manufacturer incentives are time-sensitive.
• They need to clear out old inventory for new models.
• There are fewer buyers in cold months, so there’s less competition.

These reasons create golden windows of opportunity throughout the year.

🚘 December: The Absolute Best Month

December is like Black Friday all month long at car dealerships. Salespeople are working hard to meet their yearly goals. If you’re ready to buy, you have the upper hand.

Why December is great for deals:

• Dealers are discounting a lot to meet their year-end goals.
• Holiday promotions offer extra bonuses.
• There are fewer people, so you get more attention.

Pro tip: Shop between December 26–31 for the best deals.

📅 Best Days Within the Month

Any month, Mondays and Tuesdays are the best days to shop. Fewer buyers mean more attention for you.

The best combo?

• Last week of December
• On a weekday
• Late in the day

That’s when you’ll find the best deals.

📊 Car Deal Savings by Month

Here’s a breakdown of average savings by month:

Month	Average Discount	Buying Advantage
January	5.2%	Leftover model clearance
March	6.1%	End-of-Q1 deals
July	5.5%	Mid-year sales
October	6.4%	New model introductions
December	8.3%	Year-end quotas + incentives

The closer we get to the end of the year, the more dealers want to make sales.

📉 Why End-of-Year Beats All

When dealerships close their books, they want to get rid of inventory fast.

Here’s what happens in December:

• Rebates increase for all models.
• Trade-in values stay high to attract buyers.
• Financing deals get better to encourage hesitant shoppers.

If you’re willing to shop during the holiday chaos, you could save thousands.

🗓️ Other Good Months to Buy

If December doesn’t work for you, try these months:

1. October – Great for buying current models before new ones arrive.
2. March – Dealers push Q1 bonuses.
3. July – Midsummer promos and 4th of July incentives.

Each offers deals—but December is the best.

🕒 Best Time of Day to Buy

Want to catch a dealer off guard—in a good way? Show up an hour before closing.

They’re more likely to agree to your price just to close the deal quickly. Bonus if it’s the last day of the month.

💬 Negotiation Tips That Work

Don’t go in unarmed. Use these negotiation tactics:

• Research the invoice price, not the sticker.
• Get pre-approved for financing elsewhere.
• Mention other dealerships and deals.
• Be ready to walk away if it’s not a deal.

You hold more power than you think.

💵 Lease vs. Buy: Does Timing Matter?

Yes, and maybe even more so. Leasing deals follow similar patterns:

• Better residual values in December.
• Lower down payments on holidays.
• More lease cash incentives.

Looking to lease? December’s your friend.

🔥 Holiday Deals to Watch For

Keep your eyes peeled during:

• Presidents’ Day
• Memorial Day
• 4th of July
• Labor Day
• Black Friday

These holidays often include limited-time cash back or zero APR financing.

👀 Look for Model-Year Changeovers

Model-year changeovers = dealer panic mode.

You’ll find these sweet spots:

• July–October: New models arrive.
• Dealers must move older versions.
• Incentives stack high.

Just be flexible on colors and features.

🏷️ Don’t Skip Certified Pre-Owned

New cars aren’t the only game in town. CPO vehicles are a smart way to save more.

• Lower price than new
• Manufacturer-backed warranty
• Lower depreciation hit

Dealers often discount CPO models heavily at year’s end too.

🧮 Financing Options Vary by Month

Lenders and manufacturers roll out seasonal financing:

Month	Typical APR Offers	Loan Perks
February	2.9%–4.9%	Tax season incentives
May	0%–3.5%	Summer savings events
December	0%–2.9%	Bonus cash + low APR

Pair these with dealer cash and you’ve got serious savings.

🛠️ Do Your Homework First

Before you even step on the lot:

• Get quotes online.
• Use pricing tools like Edmunds or TrueCar.
• Read reviews and reliability reports.
• Know the value of your trade-in.

Knowledge = leverage.

🧾 Bring the Right Documents

Walk in ready to sign, and you’ll move the process faster:

• Driver’s license
• Proof of insurance
• Trade-in title or loan info
• Pre-approval letter (if any)

Being prepared makes you look like a serious buyer.

🧠 Final Thoughts: Plan + Patience = Profit

Buying a car is a big deal. It’s smart to plan ahead. December is the best month to find deals.

Be flexible and do your homework. Shop smart. The right time can save you money, whether buying new, leasing, or going CPO.

FAQs

When is the best time of year to buy a car?
December is the best time due to year-end sales and dealer quotas.

What day of the week is best to buy a car?
Monday or Tuesday—dealers are less busy and more willing to negotiate.

Are holiday weekends good for car deals?
Yes, Black Friday, Labor Day, and 4th of July are great.

Is the end of the month better than the beginning?
Absolutely. Dealers push to meet monthly quotas in the last few days.

Can I get a better deal in winter than summer?
Yes, fewer buyers in winter means more discounts and better attention.

References

https://www.edmunds.com/

https://www.kbb.com/

https://www.cars.com/