The short answer
For most people, the best time to sell a car is before a big drop in value rather than a particular month. Key moments are just before a new registration plate is released (1 March and 1 September), before the car crosses a mileage milestone like 60,000 or 100,000 miles, and while it still has a long MOT. Convertibles sell best in spring; 4x4s in autumn and winter.
Key points
- New plates arrive on 1 March and 1 September — values of older plates tend to soften around then.
- Selling before round-number mileage milestones (60k, 100k) can protect value.
- A long MOT makes a car easier to sell and supports the price.
- Seasonality: convertibles in spring and summer, 4x4s and SUVs in autumn and winter.
- Cars depreciate every month — waiting for a "better time" often costs more than it gains.
The plate change effect
The UK releases new registration identifiers twice a year, on 1 March and 1 September. Many new cars are registered in those months, which increases part-exchanges and used supply. If you are planning to sell, doing it in the weeks before a plate change can help.
Mileage and MOT timing
Buyers use mileage bands when searching. A car at 98,000 miles often appeals to more buyers than the same car at 102,000. Similarly, a car with 11 months of MOT is more attractive than one with a month left — though selling without an MOT is perfectly legal.
Don’t wait too long
Every month a car gets older and adds miles, it usually loses value. Unless there is a specific reason to wait, a fair offer today is often better than a hoped-for higher offer months from now.
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See also: Sell My Car — Fast, Free & No Obligation · Sell Your High Mileage Car