Advice
The best time to sell your car in the UK (2026)
Is now the best time to sell your car? We look at how demand for used cars in 2026 means you could make a strong return on your old vehicle.
Words by: Andrew Woodhouse
Additional words by: Nimisha Jain
Last updated on 13 January 2026 | 0 min read
Is now a good time to sell my car?
Deciding when to sell your car can be a tough choice, but there are several signs you should look out for that it’s time for a change.
As life moves forward, your car may no longer suit your needs. Starting a family, moving home, or changing jobs can all make your current car less practical. Downsizing or upgrading could save money and improve convenience. Environmental rules are also tighter in 2026. Clean Air Zones have expanded across more UK cities, and older petrol and diesel cars can face daily charges. With the UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate pushing more electric cars into the market, many drivers are choosing to sell and switch to lower-cost electric or hybrid models. You might just fancy a new car, and that’s fine. If you’re not under any pressure to sell your car soon, then know the timing of your sale can affect how much you get for your car. If you’re not in a rush, timing still matters. Selling a convertible in spring or an SUV in winter can help maximise your price. It’s always worth getting a free valuation and weighing up your options before you decide.
As life moves forward, your car may no longer suit your needs. Starting a family, moving home, or changing jobs can all make your current car less practical. Downsizing or upgrading could save money and improve convenience. Environmental rules are also tighter in 2026. Clean Air Zones have expanded across more UK cities, and older petrol and diesel cars can face daily charges. With the UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate pushing more electric cars into the market, many drivers are choosing to sell and switch to lower-cost electric or hybrid models. You might just fancy a new car, and that’s fine. If you’re not under any pressure to sell your car soon, then know the timing of your sale can affect how much you get for your car. If you’re not in a rush, timing still matters. Selling a convertible in spring or an SUV in winter can help maximise your price. It’s always worth getting a free valuation and weighing up your options before you decide.
Should you wait before you sell your car?
The demand for cars can change. Sometimes the demand for new cars can be higher than used. At other times, demand for an SUV can be more than demand for a convertible. Finding the best month to sell your car can help you get a good price for it. But other factors, like the condition and mileage of the car can also affect the price you get for it.
We’ve put together a list of factors you should consider before deciding whether you should sell your car right now or not. Let’s take a look.
We’ve put together a list of factors you should consider before deciding whether you should sell your car right now or not. Let’s take a look.
Factors to consider if you want to sell your car:
1. Depreciation
Your car begins losing value as soon as you buy it. In today’s market, most new cars lose around 15–25% in the first year and up to 50–60% within three years.
Electric cars can depreciate faster than petrol or hybrid models due to rapid battery and technology improvements. Used cars, however, have already passed their steepest depreciation point, making them more predictable to sell. If your car is still relatively new, holding onto it a little longer may reduce losses.
Electric cars can depreciate faster than petrol or hybrid models due to rapid battery and technology improvements. Used cars, however, have already passed their steepest depreciation point, making them more predictable to sell. If your car is still relatively new, holding onto it a little longer may reduce losses.
2. Overall condition of the car
If you want to sell your car, you should do it while your car’s in a good condition. You can use our free valuation tool to see how much you'd get for selling your car.
All you need to do is enter your registration and mileage to find out how much your car is really worth – the results are 100% data-driven and consider the vehicle’s age, mileage, factory spec and optional extras, to give you the most up-to-date valuation we possibly can. Once your car needs constant repairs and fixes, and its interiors give away how old your car is, its resale value will fall. You may be able to get the value up by getting repairs made to your car but that could end up costing you more than the amount it’ll add to your car’s sale price. Some minor repairs might be worth to get your car ready to sell. Find out more if it’s worth carrying out minor repairs or not if you decide to sell your car.
All you need to do is enter your registration and mileage to find out how much your car is really worth – the results are 100% data-driven and consider the vehicle’s age, mileage, factory spec and optional extras, to give you the most up-to-date valuation we possibly can. Once your car needs constant repairs and fixes, and its interiors give away how old your car is, its resale value will fall. You may be able to get the value up by getting repairs made to your car but that could end up costing you more than the amount it’ll add to your car’s sale price. Some minor repairs might be worth to get your car ready to sell. Find out more if it’s worth carrying out minor repairs or not if you decide to sell your car.
3. Mileage
The higher the number of miles that your car has completed, the lower the trade-in value of your car is likely to be.
Selling your car when it has completed anything between 40,000 to 70,000 miles is often considered the ideal. Once your car’s mileage hits six digits, its trade-in value typically drops more sharply, regardless of fuel type.
Selling your car when it has completed anything between 40,000 to 70,000 miles is often considered the ideal. Once your car’s mileage hits six digits, its trade-in value typically drops more sharply, regardless of fuel type.
4. March and September plate changes
People are usually looking to buy new cars during March and September when the new registration plates are released, and so sell their current car around the same time.
While this increases competition in the used market, it also brings more buyers who are trading in or looking for cheaper alternatives. So you get. a bigger audience, but prices can soften slightly during these months due to higher supply.
While this increases competition in the used market, it also brings more buyers who are trading in or looking for cheaper alternatives. So you get. a bigger audience, but prices can soften slightly during these months due to higher supply.
5. Seasonality
We see common trends every year, with certain types of cars proving more popular during certain months
During spring and summer, demand for convertibles increases due to the pleasant weather, along with demand for classic and sports cars. In autumn and winter, SUVs, off-roaders and 4x4s see a surge in demand. If you can wait and hit peak demand, you could stand to make a bit more money.
During spring and summer, demand for convertibles increases due to the pleasant weather, along with demand for classic and sports cars. In autumn and winter, SUVs, off-roaders and 4x4s see a surge in demand. If you can wait and hit peak demand, you could stand to make a bit more money.
6. Check existing finance has been paid off
It is illegal to sell a car with outstanding finance. This is because the lender (the finance provider you signed the contract with) is the legal owner of the car.
However, if you were on a Hire Purchase or Personal Contract Purchase agreement and have officially cleared off all your payments (becoming the legal owner), you can consider selling it. Otherwise, you can consider ending the hire purchase agreement early.
However, if you were on a Hire Purchase or Personal Contract Purchase agreement and have officially cleared off all your payments (becoming the legal owner), you can consider selling it. Otherwise, you can consider ending the hire purchase agreement early.
7. Lifestyle changes
If you’re growing your family, moving house, or changing your lifestyle, swapping your car for one more suitable seems like a sensible consideration.
Maybe you wish to switch to electric cars, or you just don’t enjoy driving your car anymore or maybe you don’t enjoy driving at all and that can a good enough reason to sell your car. The best time to sell your car ultimately differs for everyone, depending on their personal circumstances.
Maybe you wish to switch to electric cars, or you just don’t enjoy driving your car anymore or maybe you don’t enjoy driving at all and that can a good enough reason to sell your car. The best time to sell your car ultimately differs for everyone, depending on their personal circumstances.
Ready to sell your car? You can place an advert on Autotrader in just three easy steps.
With millions of eyes and more potential buyers than any other site, you’re in good hands. Get started today.
With millions of eyes and more potential buyers than any other site, you’re in good hands. Get started today.