Best Time to Buy a Car in Kenya: Today, owning a car is also emphasized as a basic need of a human among the modern list of basic needs of human. Do you own a car?

If you are planning to buy a new car or even a used car, read this post carefully.

Best Time to Buy a Car in Kenya: When Should I Buy A New Car?

1. Weekends/month end:

Our sale experts believe that end of weeks, month and even the year can bring you lots of deals, discount offers and much more. You are more likely to receive huge discounts at the end of the month.  In common, car dealers work to sale targets for high-value products so they run special deals weekly, monthly or even quarterly. So making a purchase towards the end of the month, and in Kenya especially in March, July, September, and December offer discounts to get a sale across the line. You can choose to buy your new car at the end of these months.

2. Bide your time:

For car lovers, the announcement of their favorite brands with the latest models make them crazy and they make pre-order on the car. One advice is to be patient at the launch of the model. The reason behind is the purchase would be the true cost of the car, no discounts and additionally, it is believed that the few new models of a car come with teething problems which get resolved after few months of launch.So it is good to be patient at that time and purchase it within one year of the announcement and on a sale.

DT Dobie launches Mercedes Benz 1500cc in Kenya

3. End of the Calendar Year

If your primary objective is to buy or lease a new car at the best price possible, then December will give you a “perfect storm” of savings. You should look for a vehicle from the outgoing model year that has generous incentives. December has the year’s highest discount and the highest incentives. Automakers and dealerships want to close the year with strong sales. They also want to get rid of the prior model year cars that are taking up space, so they’re motivated.

4. Buy in the last two days of the month

The best time of the month to buy in is the last day or two, as the dealership will do everything they can to complete a sale.

5. Buy a car on a Friday

Go to the showroom on a Friday. Dealerships are always quietest during the week – this means the staff will be more attentive and more likely to offer discounts in order to meet weekly targets.

6. Buy a previous-plate car when the new number plates are released

Look to buy after the release of new plates. The previous-plate cars will be discounted with the arrival of the new ones, or there may be an excess of new stock, or a run-out model, that allows leverage for a good deal.

7. Buy at the end of the quarter

If you are looking to buy during the year, buy at the end of each quarter. This allows you to put pressure on the dealer as they will be looking to complete sales and are more likely to make a deal.

8. Buy an old model when the new one launches

Buy the previous generation car at the launch of the new one. The new facelifted models become the more desirable purchase and the older version will drop in price and many dealers will be offering good deals in order to make room for new cars.

9. Buy a convertible in winter

Convertibles are most expensive during the summer months – so shop around in the winter when demand is low and dealers will be quiet.

10. Holiday Weekends – Shop during festive season holiday weekends:

You’ll often get to know about huge deals or blowout sales on new cars or stock models during holiday weekends, and those ads are almost always accurate. Automakers often offer special discounts or cash-back deals for holiday weekends. While you might not be interested in spending your holiday test-driving and buying a new car, but doing so could help you save a huge amount and give you the peace of mind that you got a great deal.

When Is The Best Time To Buy A Used Or Old Car?

1. Buy during seasonal sales :

Seasonal trends in sales of new cars have a knock-on effect on the cost of used cars. Never purchase while you are getting any drop down in the sale of a brand new car. Maybe you invest in a used car but you lost out a new car in the same or close budget.

2. Buy in Peak Months:

It is advised to avoid buying used convertibles in the spring or summer – wait until winter when demand is much lower. March and September are the peak months for sales of new cars, often through part-exchange deals. So dealers will have lots of used cars to sell, which puts you in a strong position when negotiating. Dealers are also often keen to clear out used cars in July and early August in readiness for new models.

3. Demand Peaks

December and January are quiet months for the used car trade. Cars aren’t on people’s minds around Christmas and the New Year so dealers and private sellers are keen to make a deal.

Buy four-wheel-drive vehicles in the summer – demand peaks in the late autumn and winter because of the poorer weather.

4. Holiday Trends:

Winters and the festive holiday season is the perfect time to buy a used car. Huge sales in the early winters and late fall are good periods to go for the purchase of a used car. November, December, January, February are considered to the best periods to go with the promotions you are receiving for deals on a used car.

This feature on the Best Time to Buy a Car in Kenya was first published by Next Insurance.