When is the best time to sell your car?
Thinking of selling your car? It’s important to know when the best time comes to sell, so you can get the most money for it.
The Cazoo editorial team
Published on 02 February 2026 | 1 min read
If you’re thinking of selling your car, the most important thing to know is, when is the best time to sell it?
There are many reasons why you might be looking to sell your car: the time of year, a change in circumstances, your old car is getting too costly to repair, or for lifestyle reasons.
So, if you’re in the market for another car, but you need to shift your old car first, there are many ways in which you can get as much money for it by following these simple steps.
January and February are the best times of the year to sell your car
It’s regarded that January and February are the best times of the year to put your car up on the used market.
Why? After the Christmas period is over, the run-up to the new number plate change in March means that many dealerships will want to get rid of their stock, and by doing this, they will offer lots of deals to tempt you into a new car, and one way they do this is by offering you more for your old car in part-exchange.
If you own a convertible, spring is the best time of year to move it on, as the better weather causes demand to increase, which also bumps up second-hand values. If you own a four-wheel drive or SUV, think about selling it in the autumn and winter months, as the drop in temperatures and increasingly poor road conditions mean that people will want more stability, grip and capability from a high-riding off-roader.
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Avoid selling your car in the Christmas period
We’d recommend you stay clear of trying to sell your car around the Christmas period as demand is generally very low at this time of the year.
The reason behind this is that many car buyers will be focused on their festive holidays and won’t have the time or money to buy a car, which makes it harder for you to sell your car, and you won’t get as much money for it if you do.
It’s best to wait until the new year, as many will be spending their money on presents and trips away over Christmas and not on cars.
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What are the factors that you need to take into consideration when selling your car?
There are many factors to consider when you’re thinking of selling your car. The first of which is lifestyle changes.
If you’re about to start a family, for example, a larger car will be needed to carry buggies, car seats and a greater quantity of shopping.
Likewise, moving house might mean that the change in location, expense and downsizing makes it not viable to own two cars anymore.
If you want the most money for your car, inspect the condition of the vehicle before you put it up for sale or trade it in. Look for damage on the wheels, body work and the interior. If you can afford to, we’d suggest getting any major bodywork repairs done, as otherwise, it will affect the car’s residual value and it will make it harder to sell.
To any potential buyer, going to see a car with lots of damage suggests the owner has neglected the vehicle and hasn’t kept up with maintenance, which will put a lot of buyers off.
Most importantly, make sure that any finance has been paid off before you put your car up for sale, or trade it in. This is because you still won’t be the legal owner of the car until that final payment has been cleared, meaning the finance company still has the power to take that vehicle from you or the next owner if there is an outstanding payment.
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What are the signs that it’s time for you to sell your car?
If you live near a ‘Clean Air Zone’ like London’s ‘ULEZ’, maybe your car isn’t compatible? This means it will cost you more to run everyday, and you’ll need to think about buying something newer and compliant. A non-compliant car in London’s ULEZ zone costs drivers £12.50 a day, which makes it very expensive to run an older car around the capital.
Also, if you own an older car and the cost of repairs is starting to move past the value of the car itself, this is also another point where you’ll have to think about parting ways with it and buying something newer and cheaper to run.
Racking up lots of miles doesn’t mean that your car is on its last legs, but it can mean that its second-hand values may start to suffer. So, if you can afford to, it’s better to get out of your existing car and into a newer, lower-mileage example before it loses too much money.
It’s much easier for you to sell your car with 40,000 miles to 70,000 miles on the clock, instead of it covering more than 100,000 miles. Once a vehicle hits a six-digit mileage figure, its second-hand value can drop significantly, making it harder for you to get the right price for it when you try to sell it on.
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