When's the best time to sell your car? How plate changes, seasons, politics and even sporting events can affect the price you get

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With the '66' plate arriving this month, expect there to be plenty of business at car dealerships around the country.

Some 462,500 new models were registered in September last year - and that was a 485 per cent increase over the month of August 2015 - showing just how much interest in new models booms with the plate change.

But what if you're not looking to buy and are thinking of selling a vehicle instead? And is there really a ‘best time of year’ to try to offload your motor? 

When should I sell my car? Here are the best times to advertise your car and some major events and periods to avoid to ensure you get the best price

A lot depends on the car you are selling, according to former salesman Mike Bishop.

'Some cars, particularly the premium brands or popular models, retain strong demand throughout the year and are minimally affected by price fluctuations,' he tells us. 

'But for many cars, there are trends in the market that suggest good and also bad times to offload your vehicle.'

Mike knows a thing or two about car values - he setup tootle.co.uk, the car selling site that offers your second-hand car to dealers who bid to take it off your hands. 

'For certain types of cars, the biggest factors affecting the price you’ll get are weather-related,' he added.

'But across the board, plate changes (also in March as well as September) and other political or sporting events can also have a big impact.'

So, with this in mind, here's a breakdown of the seasons and which types of cars are best to sell when the weather changes.

The Spring is the best time to put a convertible up for sale. Don't wait for the summer months - many will be more interested in childcare and holidays than buying a car

Spring

This is typically the best time to sell a sports car or convertible - because demand from buyers is high ahead of summer. 

As the days become longer and warmer, the lure of a convertible drives up their value. 

'In the industry, it’s often said 'as the temperature goes up so does the price', Mike said.

'Increases tend to begin in March and peak in June.'

Conversely, trying to sell a convertible in December is going to be a challenge. No one wants to have the top down in the cold, so demand from buyers will be at its lowest - which means you’re likely to get very low price. 

Hold off until the following March or April if you can, when prices will rise again in line with demand.

Summer

During the summer months, the second hand car market can take a bit of a hit. 

'This is particularly true of the school holiday months,' Mike confirms, 'when many people are too caught up in looking after the children and holiday plans to be splashing out on a new car.'

Lack of buyers means it can be tough to get a great price if you’re selling. 

However, demand for convertibles and sports cars will hold steady over these months, so this remains a good time to sell them.

It can be difficult to sell in winter, even if you're advertising a 4x4 vehicle. However, it will be easier if the weather is particularly bad

Autumn & Winter

As the days close in the demand for Crossover and 4x4 vehicles will begin to increase. 

The weather can have a massive effect on second hand values of 4x4s in particular. 

'In 2012, after a couple of particularly harsh winters, British Car Auctions reported that average 4x4 prices went from £10,024 in June, to £11,185 in September, to £13,023 in October and £14,816 in December,' Mike confirmed.

'However, on the whole, December can be a tough month to sell a car. The market really slows up as people concentrate on Christmas, and even the most popular ‘winter cars’ can be more difficult to sell until the New Year comes around.'

Non-seasonal factors

Seasonality and the weather are of course huge factors in selling a car, but there are other things to consider throughout the year. 

Keep an eye on the Budget - what the Chancellor of the Exchequer has to say about fuel duty and road tax could have an impact on the interest you receive in the car you have for sale

· Politics: It seemed the entire population was holding its breath in the run up to and immediately after the referendum, and many retailers reported a dip in car sales as consumers held off making new purchases. 

These sorts of drops in demand of course suppress sale prices too. 

The annual Budget can also have an effect on your ability to sell, especially if you have a gas guzzling 4x4 and the Chancellor announces increases in fuel duty and road tax.  

· Plate changes: New registration plates are issued in March and September, causing massive spikes in buying activity. 

This, of course, also translates into a flurry of selling activity, and the glut of used cars on the market generally depresses prices. 

Try to avoid selling immediately around the plate change period when the increased stock availability gives buyers the upper hand.

Avoid selling during major sporting events and tournaments when attention is elsewhere

· Sports fixtures: The Olympics, the Euros, and the World Cup are good examples of sporting fixtures that can divert people's attention from big purchases like a car. 

It can be worth waiting until these have completed if you want to capture the biggest audience for your vehicle. 

· School holidays: Above and beyond the seasonal changes in demand that come in summer or at Christmas, the accompanying school breaks also mean a large proportion of your potential market could well be on holiday or otherwise engaged. 

Lower demand normally means lower prices.

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