Best Time to Buy a Car in India: Know All Facts

Best Time to Buy a Car in India

If you are buying a car for the very first time, you may end up conducting a lot of research to figure out which car brand/model/variant to buy. Also, choosing the right dealership is a challenge. Above all these, getting the best price for the car you are going to purchase is crucial. So, let’s glance through some of the best times to buy a car in India.

1. End of the Month

It is often better to purchase a car towards the end of the month. Car dealerships are usually eager to meet their monthly sales targets during this time, increasing your chances of negotiating a better deal. To hit their quota, dealers might offer attractive discounts or incentives, making it a smart move for buyers. While timing your purchase at month-end is wise, understanding the best month to buy a car in India can help you unlock even bigger savings and seasonal benefits.

2. End of the Year

The year-end or months from October to December are a good period to buy a new car. It is observed that, at the end of the year, car showrooms will be clearing the stocks of outgoing models. Also, this period coincides with a lot of festivals. So, you can expect attractive prices and discount offers on outgoing models as the dealerships will start receiving new models. Hence, you can save a lot of money if you purchase a car at the end of the year.

3. Start of the Week

Car showrooms will be at their peak of operations during weekends. So, visiting the car dealerships at the beginning of the week is recommended to get the best possible deals on the car you are looking to buy. Also, there will be fewer customers on weekdays, and you will get better attention and probably specialised discounts!

4. Seasonal Discounts

Planning to buy a car during special occasions, such as festivals, may save you quite a lot of money. Car manufacturers and dealerships often roll out festival offers on cars, featuring irresistible deals, cashback, and accessories at no extra cost. Occasions like Independence Day, Dussehra, Diwali, and even the New Year are known for heavy promotions and exclusive discounts. However, there’s a flip side due to high demand and attractive pricing, the waiting period for new cars may increase during this festive rush.

5. In the Month of March

If you are a businessman/businesswoman, then March is the best month or time to buy your dream car. For the uninitiated, you can save tax by purchasing a car in March, as the cost of the vehicle can be considered a business expense. Car manufacturers and dealers also create exciting discount offers to lure such buyers.

6. New Year

Car manufacturers start offering discounts in December, and these deals often extend into January. This is because most customers prefer vehicles manufactured in the new year. To clear out the current year’s inventory, carmakers and dealers roll out attractive discounts. If you're looking for the best day to buy a car, consider visiting the dealership towards the end of December, especially during weekdays when foot traffic is lower.

Manufacturers may also increase the prices of new models launching in January to boost the sales of outgoing models. For instance, if a car is due for an update in the new year, there are often heavy discounts on the existing model in December. When the new version drops in January, it may come with a price hike. So, if you're looking for a good day to buy a car at a lower price, late December could be your best bet.

7. Just after the Car is Launched

Many carmakers usually offer introductory prices on newly launched vehicles. The special discount on new models remains valid for the first few hundred/thousand units. When sales start to pick up, the prices will go up. But this type of special pricing does not apply to all cars, as not all manufacturers offer introductory pricing. So, there’s a 50-50 chance of getting such deals.

8. Just before an Update/Facelift

Manufacturers keep rolling out updates and launching facelifts during a vehicle's lifecycle. Before introducing a facelift, car showrooms offer discounts to clear the stock. It is the best time to get good offers and discounts. Usually, facelifted models come with minor tweaks to the interior and exterior and some new features. So, it is a good time to buy a car if you are okay with missing out on some new features and intend to keep the vehicle for a long time.

9. After the Launch of a Special-Edition Model

Car makers usually launch special editions of their vehicles, with subtle updates and additional accessories. The special-edition models will be identical to the standard model regarding specs and features. Such models are usually priced identically to the standard variant. So, if you are planning to accessorise your car, then going for such variants makes sense as it offers good value for money.

10. Before the Price Hike

As mentioned earlier, carmakers increase the prices of their vehicles at the start of a new year. The price hike usually ranges between 2% to 3%. Sometimes, waiting for the new year to purchase a car is not beneficial. Hence, you can buy a car before the price hike hits, that is, by December end.

Buying a Car in December

December is the busiest month for car manufacturers and dealerships, as they try to clear out their stocks before the start of the new year. So, it is the best month to buy a car in India, as you can get attractive discount offers. Below are the benefits and drawbacks of buying a car in December.

• How much discount can you expect?

The discount offers vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and depend on the car model. You can expect a discount of a few thousand rupees to a few lakhs. If the car is a slow seller in the market, the discount can go up.

• Additional benefits

Apart from the price discount, you can also get additional benefits when buying a car in December. The dealerships may also offer additional benefits such as free car insurance, extended warranty, and accessories at a discounted price or even for free of cost.

• Drawbacks of a year-end car purchase

December brings a host of discount offers on cars, but it has disadvantages. When you purchase a vehicle in December, the manufacturing year of the model might make your car look a year older. For example, if the car is manufactured in 2020, in January 2023, it will be considered a year old, which might hamper the vehicle's resale value. Also, discount offers are generally offered on such models that are not so successful in the market. So, you might have to compromise with a not-so-popular model.

Best Time to Buy a Used Car

The used car market works differently from new car dealerships. So, there is no specific time which is considered best. There might be several reasons for a car to be sold in a used car market. So, anytime is the best time to purchase a second-hand car. But still, consider the following points as the best time to own a used car.

• During the September-October festive season, most car owners plan to buy a new car.
   
• December, when car owners are planning to upgrade their cars.

Purchasing a used car at the times mentioned above can be beneficial. You may get a good deal, as the seller might push the deal to be settled quickly. So, you can use your bargaining skills to get a very good price.

Buying a Car for the First Time? Here are some Tips

Buying a new car is an important milestone and one of the trickiest tasks. The job becomes even difficult if it is your first time buying a car. Purchasing a vehicle is a major investment, and you can’t afford to go wrong. To make your job easier, here are some car buying tips.

• Fix your budget before beginning your research.
   
• Finalise on what type of car you want to buy.
   
• Understand your requirement and choose the variant (petrol or diesel).
   
• Plan the purchase timing (festive season, year-end, new year, etc.).
   
• Choose the right car dealership.
   
• Take a test drive to understand the car.
   
• Determine the maintenance cost of the car.

Frequently Asked Questions

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