The Impact of Seasonal Changes on Used Car Prices: When to Buy and Sell

Seasonal Trends: The Holiday Slump and Winter Dip

December and January are great months to purchase. Buyers are too busy holiday shopping, traveling, and recovering from holiday excess to think about buying a car. Pre-owned dealerships are under pressure to make year-end quotas and reduce vehicle prices.

Private sellers might also be more open to negotiating. They need to make some money after treating themselves and their family to a holiday splurge. If you’re selling, this is not your time—car buyers are scarce, and prices drop. Unless you can’t afford to wait a few weeks to get a reasonable offer, hold on.

Kansas City Tip: Snowy weather in KC tends to keep buyers indoors during the holiday season, which means less foot traffic and more room for negotiation if you're looking to buy.

Spring – When the Market Comes Alive

In spring, tax refund checks start to arrive in bank accounts and winter snow melts of. Car buyers flood into the market. That’s your signal to rub your hands in glee if you’re a seller.

When people have some money to spend, they’re more confident in making big purchases. This is the time when people are looking to make upgrades for summer road trips.

If you’re a buyer, you can expect to pay a little more—demand is high and sellers know it. So, what's the trick? Get out there and buy early in the season before tax refunds drive prices up in the car market.

Kansas City Tip: Spring is also pothole season in KC, which pushes some car owners to look for replacements earlier than expected—especially for sedans and compact cars that took a beating during the winter.

Summer – Road Trip Fun with SUVs and Convertibles

Families are hunting for minivans and SUVs for summer vacations and adventurers dream about convertibles for those breezy drives. If you're on the lookout for a car, this isn’t your time to buy—everyone is shelling out top dollar for the same thrill ride.

If you're in the market for a fuel-efficient car or a family car, this is your moment. The average price of gas increases in summer months, which makes hybrid and electric vehicle ev more appealing. Play that to your advantage if you're in the market for a clean model.

Fall – The Deceptive Sweet Spot

Here’s where people usually get it wrong. Fall can be a treasure trove of deals if you catch it right. Once children are back in school and summer road trips are a distant memory, demand for used cars tapers off.

That’s especially true in September and October. Dealerships are getting ready for next year’s models and private sellers might be desperate to get cars off their hands before winter. Buyers that car shop at this time can get some fantastic bargains—especially on summer standbys. Convertibles are no longer as appealing with the cooler weather rolling in.

Sellers may struggle to find serious buyers. This is especially true if they do not have a winter-ready vehicle, like an AWD SUV or a truck.

Why Weather Matters More Than You Think

In the automotive industry, the weather plays a key role in car sales. Trucks and SUVs increase in value as soon as it begins to snow. Buyers panic-buy all-wheel-drive vehicles when they realize that their little sedan will do them no good in a blizzard.

If you do happen to own one and are thinking about selling, this is your moment to make it happen. If you’re a buyer, start your shopping ahead of time before winter demand creates a price increase and drives prices through the roof.

On the other hand, rear-wheel-drive cars and sports cars lose value as winter nears. Who wants to drive on slippery roads in a Mustang? If you've been dreaming about a high-performance car, wait until it’s cooler and sellers are desperate.

Kansas City Tip: With unpredictable ice storms and sudden temperature drops, KC drivers often look for AWD or 4WD options late in the fall—leading to quick sell-outs at used dealerships like Drive Fast USA.

Key Takeaways

The impact of seasonal changes in the automotive industry is real. Used car purchases are impacted by the season and the weather year over year. These car buying tips can give you the clarity you need to get the best deal when buying or selling.