Should I buy a new car now or wait in the UK?

Should I buy a new car now or wait in the UK?

Will car prices drop in 2024 in the UK?

You may be wondering. Well, we don't know yet. But there are some really interesting trends. In fact, if we're being fair, that statement is true for just about everything in car-land. Which is why we've got some very cool facts for you to mull over.

The UK has the second-highest number of new car registrations in Europe, and the fastest-growing car market. That's partly because it's getting more comfortable with the idea of cars as a normal part of everyday life.

But what if in 2025 there was a new law that made cars illegal? Which cars will remain in use? What will people do in a world without car-centric civilisation? And what happens to car manufacturers who have been making cars for years now? It's a question we might need to consider if we want to avoid cars becoming obsolete in the UK. We've already begun to look at how car ownership could change in the UK over the next 10 years. So we have a sense of where things might be headed. And it's not looking great.

It might seem like a long time away but, in the world of car sales in Europe, it could happen as early as next year. In fact, if the government get their way, there could be no more new cars from the manufacturers by 2025. As we saw back in April, that's when the Department of Transport plans to give them the green light to do so.

They argue that these vehicles, known as zero emissions vehicles (ZEV), are better for the environment. This is largely down to the fact that they have to rely on electricity for their engines rather than petrol. This makes them far cleaner.

But with car sales growing at a pace of 20% year on year, the ZEV strategy hasn't gone down well. So, what else could happen? A tax on car sales. The government says it wants cars to play a smaller role in our lives. But they don't want to take away the convenience that they currently provide. So what could happen instead?

We could see a rise in annual sales taxes. They're currently in line with the Consumer Price Index, meaning an increase of around 0.6% each year.

What time of year is cheapest to buy car UK?

You'll often get the cheapest deals in autumn and winter. The best months for buying a car are December, January and February, when used cars are at their cheapest.

The worst months are June, July and August, when you'll be paying up to 2,500 more. If you want to get a good deal then you'll need to be able to speak with a salesperson before buying. When you buy a used car you'll only get a warranty of between three and six months, which will usually cover defects and breakdowns. You won't get a car MOT until it's been six months since you bought it, although it will usually be done automatically. Read our guide on buying your first car to find out how to buy a used car and learn about the pros and cons of buying a used car. How to save money on your car. The most effective way to save money is by doing your research well ahead of time. This way you'll know exactly what you're buying before you get into the showroom. Once you know exactly what you want you'll be able to check whether you need to compromise or not. For example, if you want a 2.0 litre engine but your budget is set at 1,800, you'll know that there's no point trying to get anything better than that.

Researching the car in advance will let you know whether you need to compromise or not. If you're willing to do so then you won't need to spend time in the showroom.

Another great tip to make your life easier is to use AutoCheck to search for your ideal vehicle. This will do all the hard work for you, letting you know the details of each vehicle you're interested in, such as fuel consumption and the cost to insure it. What to look out for when buying a used car. Every car that isn't brand new should have a record of its previous owner. This is called the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), which should be found in the registration plate. It may also be found on the driver's door mirror or in the glove compartment. When buying a used car there are some things you'll need to look out for.

Are UK second hand car prices coming down?

is it a good time to buy a used car uk

This article was taken from the March 2025 issue of British car magazine, Auto Trader. For more great articles, subscribe to the magazine - click here if you're already a print subscriber.

UK 2nd-hand-car prices continue their downward trend for the third month running. The most recent data for February indicates that second-hand-vehicle (SV) values are now down by 23.4m, compared with January's figures and by 8m when compared with the same month last year.

The number of cars coming to the market is also down on last month's. The most recent sales figures indicate that there were 25,943 vehicles sold in February, and 14,552 in January.

It will be interesting to see how the monthly sales figures compare with this time last year. However, it seems clear that, like the previous two months, the market is well short of the record level.

Prices of low-mileage vehicles continue to decline with no signs of a bottoming out in sight. The monthly data published by Autoguide suggests that prices are down 6.1m on January, compared with February last year, and are approaching January levels, albeit at a slower rate.

The average price of a low-mileage vehicle has dropped 5.3, against January's figure, while the best-selling vehicle group is now a little above the 15,000 mark. It was below this level for most of last year and is now starting to rise again, indicating that buyers may be looking for better value elsewhere.

The sharpest drop in prices occurred in the past year in April 2025. Since then, they have dropped by about 100 a month, or by nearly 6% per month. By comparison, over the past 12 months, prices are down by 21,000 - a 6% fall for all months combined.

Although it's difficult to predict exactly what will happen next, since prices do not seem to be falling that fast, we are likely to see another gradual, even if smaller, decline in SV prices in the following months.

Should I buy a new car now or wait in the UK?

So I don't have much experience with cars but I will be driving an 08 Yaris from my employer (company car) until my lease runs out next year. I am from New York so my main criteria are gas mileage and comfort. I heard that if you plan on living in your car then maybe a minivan/crossover would better, but in the states, that would just be the SUV. Do you think I should get a new car now or wait for next year to buy one? It seems like as of late in the US there's been a lot of issues with leasing companies and car manufacturers, so it'd better to wait until it's all smoothed out. Should I wait or buy now?

Comments. You might want to get one during the winter if it's very cold where you're from. That is usually when companies lease you a car. So you will better off waiting. My car is an 08 and I do hope that it lasts!

If you are going to buy a car in the UK then it might best to wait until you move there. In the summer months the roads are busy and you will want something that is at least a little small. Also, there is always the chance that companies will change their minds.

If you are planning on living in your car then a crossover would be your best bet. My last car was a Yaris, but when I lived in my car I was looking for something small but decent.

We've gone through this before, but it has become a very heated topic among us (I just love heated!) It seems that every time we start a thread it becomes another heated thread, because people have so many opinions! There are some questions you may want to ask yourself. You want to look for a car that will keep up with the kids (assuming that you do not have grandchildren or great-grandchildren in the making), will keep up with your work hours and will fit your need for storage. For those who live in a cold place such as Canada and Minnesota, buying a car in the winter will save you money on fuel (and you do have to think about getting your oil changed, or even having the air filter changed), but then again the roads are likely to be snowy.

WMCW Admin

Reporting on news on topics such as used car industry prices, automobile recalls, site news and updates, opinion pieces about the used car market, and other appropriate automotive information.

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