Introduction

Having things done when it is most convenient saves one a lot of time, energy, expenses, and most of all, frustration. And that’s why a lot of people, if not everyone, look for that convenient time, that moment when they can get a better deal. It’s the same thing in the auto industry, people wonder what time of the year is most convenient to purchase a vehicle, more specifically, the best months to buy used cars in Nigeria.

Many people consider a lot of things when going for a used vehicle. However, there are two constant things to consider: the condition and the price of the vehicle; everything else can come in second. It’s also clever to consider the reasons a second-hand vehicle is put up for sale as this can invariably affect the bargain.

.Some cars are put up for sale because they are in bad condition while others are put up for sale because the owner wants to go for something bigger, probably an upgrade, and the latest model. That’s where considering the timing is always efficient. So we would use these two reasons as a basis for choosing the best months to buy a used car in Nigeria.

Which is the best month to buy a used car?

The best months to buy used cars in Nigeria

1. Used vehicles for a good price - September to January

When new models are out in the market, an automotive enthusiast would naturally want to go for it, and wouldn’t mind putting up the previous or outgoing model for sale at a moderately lower price. The new brands are usually released in the summer, between May to September.

At this time, used cars will be available for sale in the outgoing models, especially those two to three models behind the current outgoing model. Many people would put them up for sale, and most dealerships would want to get rid of old stock at this time to make room for upgrades.

In Nigeria, these new models won’t be available until late in the year during the yuletide season and the New Year. Therefore, to get a used vehicle in Nigeria, considering the price, it's best to go for them towards the end of the year when dealerships want to get rid of old stock and make room for new inventory. (Yes, dealerships that deal with used cars).

Towards the end of the year is one good time to consider buying a used car

2. Used vehicles in good condition - November to March

Aside from getting a good discount on used cars, Nigerians also want to buy a second-hand vehicle that is in good condition. The best time to buy such vehicles is during the dry season for two basic reasons.

One is that this is the best time the vehicle can be properly accessed thoroughly with test-drives and proper evaluation unaffected by the rain. More so, the used vehicles will be fresh off the roads from the rainy season, and already know how terrible Nigerian roads can get during the rains. Thus, a car that survives the gruelling rains and comes out solid is most definitely in good shape, especially after an extensive inspection.

So generally, cars would be in better conditions during the dry season, which ranges from November to the first quarter of the next year. However, there can be room for error on the basis of this assessment because used cars can be in a bad shape all through the year; nonetheless, it is best to go for cars during the dry months.

>>> Read also: Used car for sale: Should you buy a car used by a woman?

3. After the festive seasons - December, January

The major festive season in Nigeria is Christmas. At this time there are a lot of sales throughout the December season. A lot of visitors come into the country and buy cars to move around as well. However, after Christmas and new year, the left-over of what is there to sell may have discounts and be sold at a cheaper rate because car dealers are eager to sell off old stock and order fresh products. At this point, those who deal in new cars would also want to sell off what they have at a good price.

More to that, a lot of people who came in from abroad would want to auction their vehicles to afford flight tickets back (this might seem outrageous but it’s true). Thus during this time of the year, it might be easy to see a used vehicle for sale at a good price.

4. Buy at the end of every quarter - March, June, September, December

Another favourable time to consider when buying a used car is towards the end of the quarter in a year - March, June, September, and December. Car dealers have targets to meet at the end of every quarter and would want to shift cars out, so towards the end of each quarter car dealership are very likely to negotiate and offer attractive finance packages.

However, private sellers may not have such targets to meet, so before you apply this logic, it is necessary to be sure about the type of car seller they are dealing with. All dealers work three-monthly sales targets, the best deals are usually done in February and early march and follow the same pattern for the other quarters in the year. To get good deals, the second half of the last month in a quarter is usually the best time.

>>> You might also be interested in: 8 common mistakes when buying used cars

Dealerships look to off-load old stocks towards the end of every quarter

5. On the larger scale of things - Avoid the beginning of every month

There is a lot to consider when going for a used car in Nigeria. Not every month is a good month, and even in the so-called good months, always avoid the beginning of the month, because after payday, there is always an influx of customers, and when it is like that car sellers or dealers would not bargain at all.

Conclusion

Above is a guide on the best months to buy used cars in Nigeria. We hope this piece helps you make an informed decision as to when to begin your vehicle purchase plans. If this was helpful, please make sure to share with friends on Facebook and other social media networks. 

Before we go, why not enjoy this short video to discover which cars to buy when you are, unfortunately, broke.

5 Best Cars to Buy When You’re Broke

>>> Also do well to arm yourself with the best market info from our Tips and Advice, as well as News section.