Buying a car can be a significant milestone in your life and feel incredibly personal. This is a major event in a lot of people’s lives and usually requires financial planning, months of research, and careful consideration of available options. Knowing the right time to buy a car to enjoy a deal on your dream car can make a significant difference in your finances as well as your general sense of satisfaction. You have landed in the right place if you are wondering what the best time is to buy a car in India.

Depending on various factors, the car buyer’s market in India fluctuates throughout the year. Here is a breakdown of the best time to buy a car in India according to the car buying trends in different months:

1. March

   Since the financial year ends in this month, many people, especially businessmen/businesswomen, consider March to be the best time to purchase a car in India. By buying a new car in March, you can save on taxes by writing the vehicle as a business expense. Additionally, car dealerships are eager to meet their annual targets in March, which translates to better deals for you as a buyer. March may also let you enjoy the depreciation benefits for a recently launched car and enjoy good deals on your purchase.

2. April to June

   These months do not typically witness a special hike in car sales. Car dealerships may use offers and added benefits with every car purchase during these months to attract buyers. You can leverage this to enjoy a sweet deal if you are looking for the best time to buy a car; just keep an eye out for offers running in the stores in your area or online.

3. July to September

   Rakshabandhan, Independence Day, and some other festivities coincide with these months. Thus, it prompts showrooms and car dealerships to launch attractive discounts in anticipation of these festivities and attract customers, which makes these months a good time to buy a new car. You can benefit from these offers and get your dream car at an unbelievable price.

4. October to December

   This is considered the best time to buy a car in India because of many reasons. In addition to being the year-end, Diwali usually falls in October or November. This leads to unbelievable discounts on every merchandise, including cars.
   Additionally, dealerships take advantage of the increased buyers’ interest and push aggressive offers to clear their dead stock and outgoing models to boost sales and make room for new models.

   December tends to be one of the busiest months for car dealerships and manufacturers as they try to clear out the stock, which translates to heavy discounts for you. Since car manufacturers may hike prices at the beginning of the new year, you are advised to avoid waiting for the new year and lock the deal if it makes financial sense.

5. January to February

   At the beginning of the new year, car dealerships may introduce new models in their stock after the biggest sale of the season in previous months. Thus, January and February may not be the best time to buy a car; however, you may get lucky and strike a bargain to find a suitable car from the lingering year-end stock if the dealership has a sizeable chunk of outdated models in their inventory. Additionally, car dealerships may also introduce an exclusive offer for Republic Day around 26th January.

Some Other Times to Buy a Car in India

If the best times to buy a car mentioned above are not ideal for you, consider any of the following:

1. Month-End

   You are now aware of the annual sales targets of car dealerships, but they also have a monthly target. If a particular dealership is lagging on its monthly sales goals, it may offer exceptional discounts to customers at the end of the month to boost sales. You may be able to get a better deal by using your negotiation skills at the end of the month.

2. Right After a New Car Launch

   You may be able to get the introductory offer, which is usually a steal deal on your desired car if it is about to launch. This is because many car manufacturers introduce a special price for the first few hundred or thousand units of a particular model to build hype and attract customers. Usually, the introductory offer is redacted once the sale starts to pick up. However, there is no guarantee that you will get this deal, as there is a waitlist as well.

3. Right Before a Facelift or an Update

   Since technology keeps evolving, car manufacturers keep introducing updates and/or launching facelifts for their car models during the vehicle’s lifecycle. To clear out their dead stock and make room for new models, car dealerships may offer hefty discounts to clear these stocks, making this one of the best times to purchase a car.

   Generally, there is only a minor tweak in the new version of the same model and a few added features; thus, the ‘outdated’ model remains viable if it has a solid infrastructure. You can buy a decent car at discounted prices if you do not have a problem with missing a few extra features.

4. After a Special-Edition Launch

   Car manufacturers often launch a special edition of a particular model with minute updates and a few additional accessories. These models usually have the same specs and features as the standard versions and are priced the same, so you can use this opportunity and go for an accessorised version of your dream car at the same price.

5. Start of the Week

   Since people tend to go shopping during their time off, the weekends remain one of the busiest days of the week for a car dealership and not the best days to buy a car. You are recommended to visit the dealership at the beginning of the week when things are going slow to get the best deals possible in a week. Having a relatively empty showroom and focused attention are additional benefits of visiting a car showroom at the beginning of the week, which makes it one of the best times to buy a car.

The market dedicated to used cars operates slightly differently than the market for new cars. The best time to buy a second-hand car is during Diwali. Since many car owners are usually looking to buy a new car during the festive season, Diwali is one of the best times to buy an old car.

1. Select a Car Suitable for Your Needs
   If you require a car for your day-to-day commute to and from work, purchasing the most premium model of an XUV may not be the best idea. List out your requirements for a car and narrow your search based on this list.
2. Do Some Research
   Do not buy the marketing campaign of a car; purchase the right product for you. There will likely be different options based on your requirements. But if you do not conduct your research to figure out the best specs and features in your budget, you may end up buying a car that is popular but not as efficient as you would like.
3. Calculate the Total On-Road Cost of the Desired Car
   If your maximum budget is ₹8 lakh, for example, and you are looking at cars with price tags above ₹7 lakh, you may end up overspending. There are certain necessary expenses in addition to the base price of the car that make the on-road cost of a vehicle higher than its price tag. Additionally, you are advised to consider payments like the lifetime road tax, monthly maintenance costs, mandatory insurance charges, and dealer handling charges before buying a car.
4. Request Test Drives for the Shortlisted Cars from a Dealership
   Reading reviews, looking at specs, and comparing prices can give you a good idea of the type of car you want and a few options. However, unless you actually drive the car, you will not have the required knowledge to make an informed decision.
5. Wait for the Best Time to Buy a Car
   In order to get the best deal on your dream car, you are advised to wait for the right time to purchase it. Diwali is considered the prime time to buy a car in India, and you can get the best offers during this time.

Besides being a legal requirement, car insurance can prevent potential financial losses for you. A third-party liability insurance plan is mandated by the government for all motor vehicles, but a comprehensive car insurance plan offers all-round coverage for your valuable vehicle. If you are unsure how to select car insurance policy, you can do some research and find the best insurance product idea for yourself that has a sterling claim settlement ratio, like SBI General. Additionally, you can use a car insurance calculator to figure out your monthly premium rates as per your car model and coverage requirements.

FAQs

Q. When should I buy a car for the cheapest offer?
A. In India, Diwali is usually the best time to buy a car.

Q. What are the best times to buy a car?
A. Generally, October to December are the best months to buy a car. You can also get good deals on a car if you buy it when there are seasonal discounts.

Q. Why are cars cheaper in March?
A. Due to the financial year-end, many dealerships tend to push their old car inventory at discounted prices to meet their annual sales target.

Q. Should I buy a new car or an old car?
A. This depends on your personal requirements and budgetary limits. You can go for a new car if you want to keep it for a longer duration and purchase a second-hand car if you are not a seasoned driver or need the vehicle temporarily.

Q. How can I get good deals on car purchase?
A. It is best to buy a car when the dealerships offer discounts. Check with them for additional available discounts while making the purchase.

Q. Should I purchase a new car right now or wait for some time?
A. If you desperately need a vehicle, consider buying a car as soon as you can. But if you have time, it is best to wait for lucrative discounts.

Q. Can I get a loan to buy a new car?
A. Yes. You can get a loan to finance your new car purchase if you are eligible.

Q. Should I invest in comprehensive car insurance for my new car?
A. Yes. If you want to minimise your potential financial losses and secure your asset, you are advised to go for a comprehensive plan instead of the mandatory third-party insurance plan.

Q. Which car should I buy according to my income?
A. It is recommended that you should not spend more than half your annual income on a new car. Consider whether the value you will be able to get from the vehicle is worth the price in your current financial standing before purchasing a car.

Q. When will car prices lower this year?
A. During Diwali and other annual festivities such as Republic Day, you may be able to buy a car at low prices.