When Is the Best Time to Buy a Used Car?
The Peak Season for Used Car Deals
Generally speaking, late fall through winter offers used car shoppers the best chance to secure an optimal deal on a used car, according to a study by iSeeCars. That study, conducted on data from over 40 million used car sales in 2024 and 2025, attempted to identify the likelihood of a shopper receiving a good deal on a car, which it defined as savings of at least 10 percent on the average used car price of $26,889.
Specifically, iSeeCars identified October through March as the best time to buy a used car, with the peak rates occurring in December (15.2 percent above normal), January (55.6 percent), and February (36.2 percent).
Best Holidays to Shop for a Used Car
Naturally, each holiday falling within the late fall and winter seasons performed very well in the study, with Martin Luther King Day, New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day, and President’s Day topping the list.
It is worth mentioning, however, that most holidays are a good time to shop, as they typically outperform their month, both inside and outside of the ideal window. For example, Martin Luther King Day’s good deal rate in the study was a whopping 65.5 percent above normal, significantly in excess of January’s overall 55.6 percent number. Even Memorial Day, identified as a bad time to purchase a used car with a good deal rate of 18.0 percent below normal, still outperformed the month of May, which checked in at 22.2 percent below normal.
You might not always be able to control when you need a used car enough to wait for January, but with a bit of planning, you can still maximize your odds of getting the best price possible.
Other Factors to Consider
Is the End of the Month a Good Time to Buy?
Generally yes, though the data isn’t conclusive. Conventional wisdom holds that at the end of the month, dealers are often trying to meet quotas, earn bonuses, and clear inventory, which could lead to good deals. That can be true in many cases, but at the same time, it’s impossible for a shopper to know whether any of those pressures are in play, so the results of the tactic may vary.
Should You Buy When New Model Years Arrive?
When manufacturers release a new model years, many consumers will buy the freshly-produced vehicles, while trading in whatever they presently drive. That creates a massive advantage for used car buyers, as inventory peaks and creates both a large selection and pressure on dealers to sell.
When Is the Best Time to Buy a Used Car in Ohio?
One complicating factor is that oftentimes, it can be a good idea to buy a used vehicle ahead of Ohio’s brutal winter weather. Whether you’re located in New Philadelphia, Canton, or Canfield it might be advantageous to find something with all-wheel drive, and other features optimized for uncertain terrain, before that first uncertain snowfall. With that in mind, waiting until January might not always be the best idea, though the months building up to the peak season for good deals are also very favorable for buyers.
The Most Important Consideration
There isn’t a ton of benefit in paying the right price for the wrong vehicle, so while optimizing the timing of your shopping can be incredibly beneficial, it’s crucial to know that the “best” time to buy is when something that meets your model, trim, mileage, condition, and price requirements comes available. With any luck, that will happen on Martin Luther King Day, but it could also happen in July.
Either way, the professionals at Wally Armour CDJR will be ready to help you find both a great vehicle and a great deal. Browse our selection and our specials, do a little research and, when you’re ready, stop in to go on a test drive. We can’t wait to work with you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Data suggests that the fall and winter months offer the best chance to receive a great deal on a used car. Truthfully though, favorable pricing on a used car can be found in any month, and varying circumstances between dealers and manufacturers mean that overall trends might not ring true for everyone.
December is generally one of the best months to buy a used car, and holiday promotions typically offer a chance at additional savings.
According to data from iSeeCars, January is the best month to buy a used car, with 55.6 percent more good deals than average.
Particularly if your current vehicle isn’t great in winter weather, it can be very beneficial to buy a used car before Ohio’s winter weather hits. Not only can you shop for winter-optimized features like all-wheel drive, but months like October and November are generally favorable for finding a good deal.
Conventional wisdom holds that the end of the month is a good time to buy a used car, as dealers are more willing to cut deals in order to meet monthly quotas and clear inventory. Many shoppers have used that to their advantage in negotiations. However, there’s no way for a consumer to acquire the information needed to make an accurate assessment of the situation — for all they know, their salesperson earned their bonus a week before talking to them.