Best time to buy a used car: the best months, days and holidays

Timing can shave real money off a used car, but less than most advice suggests. Seasonal patterns exist, and they are measurable. They just matter less than picking the right car, knowing its fair price and acting fast when a good one shows up.

The short answer: The best time to buy a used car is generally late fall through winter, roughly October through February, when demand is lower. An iSeeCars analysis of 2024 and 2025 sales ranked January the best month and June the worst. Late in the month and weekdays can also help, but a fairly priced car you want beats a perfect calendar date.

Key takeaways

• Colder months tend to bring more used car deals than late spring and summer, according to both iSeeCars and Edmunds.
• iSeeCars found January had 55.6% more deals than average and June had 22.8% fewer, based on sales from 2024 through October 2025.
• Spring demand tends to rise with tax refunds and warmer weather, which can firm up prices.
• End-of-month quota pressure applies more to new cars, but it can still make used car managers more flexible.
• A car's own time on the lot often matters more than the date on the calendar.

What is the best month to buy a used car?

Recent data points to January, with February and December close behind. iSeeCars studied more than 40 million used car sales from 2024 through October 2025 and counted a "deal" as a car listed at least 10% below its estimated market value.

Here is how each month compared with the average chance of finding a deal in that study:

Source: iSeeCars best times to buy study.

Edmunds reaches a similar seasonal conclusion with a different emphasis. Its used car timing guide points to October through December, when year-end new car promotions pull shoppers away from used cars, and describes early in the year as less favorable. The two sources disagree on January and February, but both agree that late spring and summer are the weakest stretch.

Why are used cars cheaper in winter?

Fewer people shop in cold weather and around the holidays, so cars sit longer and sellers become more willing to cut prices. Dealers also want to clear aging inventory before year-end accounting and make room for trade-ins that arrive with new car sales.

Demand picks up in spring. Tax refunds give many households a down payment, the weather improves and people plan summer travel. More buyers chasing the same inventory means fewer markdowns, which lines up with the weak April through July numbers in the iSeeCars data.

Some segments have their own rhythm. Convertibles and sports cars may be easier to negotiate in winter, while all-wheel-drive SUVs and trucks can see more demand as snow arrives in colder states. Your local market matters too.

Which holidays have the best used car deals?

In the iSeeCars data, winter holidays beat summer ones. Martin Luther King Jr. Day ranked as the single best day, with 65.5% more deals than average, followed by New Year's Eve and New Year's Day (+58.6%) and Presidents' Day (+47.0%). Veterans Day and Christmas Eve also came out ahead.

Summer holidays did poorly. July 4th was the worst holiday, with 22.4% fewer deals than average, and Memorial Day, Juneteenth and Father's Day were also below average. Holiday sales events are largely aimed at new cars, so treat a holiday banner on a used car lot as marketing until the price proves otherwise.

Is the end of the month a good time to buy a used car?

It can be, though the effect is smaller for used cars than for new ones. Sales staff and managers often have monthly and quarterly targets, and a dealer close to a goal may accept a thinner profit to make one more sale.

The catch is that everyone has heard this advice, and Edmunds cautions against cramming your shopping into the last day of the month or a busy holiday weekend. A practical approach:

1. Research, test drive and get an inspection earlier in the month.
2. Get a written out-the-door quote.
3. Make your offer in the last few days of the month or quarter.
4. Be ready to sign quickly if they accept, with financing and insurance lined up.

Weekdays, especially Monday through Wednesday, are usually quieter than weekends, which gives you more of the salesperson's attention and less pressure.

Does how long a car has been listed matter more than the date?

Often, yes. A car that has sat on a lot for 45, 60 or 90 days costs the dealer money in financing and space, and many dealers cut prices on a schedule as cars age. A fresh listing that just arrived usually has the least flexibility, whatever the month.

Watch the days-on-market figure on listings and track price changes on cars you like. Our guides on how long cars sit on dealer lots and used car price drops explain the patterns. Before you make an offer, check whether the price is fair using how to tell if a used car price is fair.

When does timing matter less?

Timing matters less when you need a car now, when you want a specific model that is hard to find, or when a well-priced example appears near you in June. The savings from a better month are an average across millions of sales, not a guarantee for any one car.

Waiting has costs of its own. You may pay for rideshares or repairs on your current car, and the right car may not be available when your target month arrives. Edmunds' own advice is that the best time to buy is when you truly need the car and are ready.

If you are flexible, a good compromise is to start watching listings a month or two before your ideal window. You will learn what fair prices look like, and you will be ready to act when the right car appears.

How do you take advantage of seasonal price drops?

Track the cars you want before the slow season starts, then pounce when prices fall. Saving listings and checking back by hand works, but it is easy to miss a markdown.

Scout can do the watching for you. Describe the car you want in plain English, and Scout emails you when a matching car is listed at a dealer near you. With Scout Pro, you also get price-drop alerts when a dealer lowers the price on a car Scout already sent you, which fits the winter slowdown well.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest month to buy a used car?

Based on iSeeCars' analysis of 2024 and 2025 sales, January had the most deals, with 55.6% more than average, followed by February and December. Edmunds favors October through December. Both sources agree that late spring and summer, especially May through July, tend to be the most expensive time to buy.

Is it better to buy a used car at the end of the year?

Year-end is usually a good time. Dealers want to clear older inventory before the new year, new car promotions draw shoppers away from used cars, and holiday season traffic is lighter. December ranked third in iSeeCars' data. Prices still vary by car, so compare listings and negotiate the out-the-door price.

Do used car prices go up during tax season?

Demand often rises in spring as tax refunds give buyers down payment money, which can reduce discounts. In the iSeeCars study, April through July had fewer deals than average. If you are counting on a refund, consider shopping before the spring rush or waiting until demand cools later in the year.

What day of the week is best for buying a used car?

Weekdays, especially early in the week, are usually less busy than weekends. That gives you more time with the salesperson and less pressure to decide quickly. There is limited hard data showing large price differences by weekday, so treat the day as a convenience factor rather than a major source of savings.

Should I wait for a holiday sale to buy a used car?

Only if the timing works anyway. iSeeCars found winter holidays such as MLK Day, New Year's and Presidents' Day had more deals than average, while summer holidays such as July 4th and Memorial Day had fewer. Holiday events mostly target new cars, so judge any used car by its price, not the banner.