Sep 11, 2025
When is the Best Time of Year to Buy a Car in Canada?
If you’re wondering “What is the best time to buy a car in Canada?”, whether you’re looking for a brand-new model or a used car, timing is everything. Shopping at the right time of year can save you thousands of dollars, give you more options to choose from, and even unlock better financing terms.
In Canada, car buying is influenced by seasonal trends, dealership sales targets, new model releases, consumer demand, and manufacturer incentives. Knowing how these factors work together will help you plan your purchase for the maximum savings in 2025.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the best months, days, and seasons to buy a car in Canada, including holiday promotions, year-end clearance events, and insider tips for negotiating the best deal.
Best Months to Buy a Car in Canada
September: The Perfect Balance of Savings and Selection
One of the most overlooked but powerful months to shop for a car is September. As new model years begin rolling into showrooms, dealerships need to clear space for inventory. That means they start discounting the outgoing model year.
Why September is special:
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Great Selection: Unlike December, when many cars are already sold, September still offers a wide variety of trims, colours, and features.
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Early Discounts: Dealers can’t hold onto last year’s models forever. Discounts begin in September and often get bigger through the fall.
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Negotiating Power: Sales teams know that buyers are eyeing the new models, which makes them more willing to deal on the previous year’s inventory.
If you want both savings and choice, September may be the single best month to buy a car in Canada.
October–December: The Deepest Discounts of the Year
The end of the calendar year is widely regarded as the best time to buy a car in Canada — especially for bargain hunters.
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Dealer Incentives & Clearance Sales
By October, unsold models from the previous year must go. To clear them, dealerships run year-end clearance sales, often stacking manufacturer rebates with dealer discounts. -
Holiday Car Sales
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Black Friday (late November): Now a major event in Canada, with steep discounts across multiple industries, including auto.
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Boxing Day (December 26): Dealerships often promote clearance deals to move cars before year-end.
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New Year’s Eve: The rare moment when a sale falls at the end of the month, quarter, and year, creating maximum incentive for dealerships to close deals.
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Tax Savings for Businesses
For self-employed Canadians, purchasing before December 31st allows you to claim depreciation earlier, creating a tax advantage.
Bottom line: If you want the lowest price possible, aim for November or December.
End of the Month & End of the Quarter
Sales quotas drive dealership behaviour. Salespeople and managers often need to hit specific monthly and quarterly targets to earn bonuses.
Shopping in the last week of a month (or the final days of March, June, September, or December) can give you extra leverage. Even if the dealership has already hit its quota, pushing beyond it often unlocks additional bonuses, so managers are motivated to close just one more sale.
Seasonal Car Buying Trends in Canada
Because of Canada’s climate and driving habits, each season creates different opportunities for car buyers.
Winter (December to February)
Winter can feel like the last time you’d want to go car shopping, but that’s why it works in your favour. Dealership foot traffic drops during cold, snowy months, and fewer buyers means more negotiating power.
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Best vehicles to buy in winter: Convertibles, sports cars, and previous-year inventory.
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Why: Demand is low, so dealers are eager to sell.
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Bonus: Many automakers run holiday and New Year promotions, often extending through January.
Spring (March to May)
Spring is the busiest season for Canadian dealerships. Tax refunds arrive, weather improves, and shoppers flood lots.
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Best vehicles to buy in spring: Not many — discounts are harder to find.
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Why: High demand reduces dealership motivation to discount.
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Tip: If you must shop in spring, focus on demo vehicles or certified pre-owned cars, which may have promotional offers.
Summer (June to August)
Summer creates mixed opportunities. Demand rises for family vehicles, SUVs, and recreational vehicles as families gear up for road trips. However, July and August mark the final push before new model arrivals, creating strong discounts on remaining stock.
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Best vehicles to buy in summer: SUVs, minivans, and family sedans (especially in July/August).
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Why: Dealerships are prepping for September inventory changes.
Fall (September to November)
Fall is the sweet spot for Canadian buyers. New models arrive, old models are discounted, and dealerships offer strong promotions.
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Best vehicles to buy in fall: Previous-year models (brand new but heavily discounted).
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Why: Dealers are motivated to clear space quickly.
New vs. Used: Does Timing Matter?
Yes — the best time to buy depends on whether you’re shopping for new or used cars.
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New Cars: Discounts are deepest during year-end clearance events (Sept–Dec).
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Used Cars: Prices often drop in early spring and late fall, when more trade-ins hit the market. For example, after new models launch in September, used car inventory often increases, giving you more negotiating room.
Tip: Certified pre-owned vehicles may follow similar incentive patterns to new cars, with manufacturer-backed financing deals in late summer and year-end.
Dealership Incentives & Manufacturer Promotions
Understanding the types of incentives available can help you time your purchase:
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Cash Rebates: Direct discounts applied to the purchase price. Common in year-end events.
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Low-Interest Financing: Offered to entice buyers during slow months.
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Lease Specials: Manufacturers may promote attractive lease terms in spring or summer to capture demand.
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Bonus Trade-In Values: Dealerships sometimes offer extra money for your trade-in to move new inventory faster.
Why Slow Days Give You Negotiating Power
Weekends are busy, which means sales staff have less time to focus on you. Instead, shop on:
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Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays
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Rainy or snowy days (when other buyers stay home)
On these days, salespeople may be more willing to offer discounts, throw in extras, or negotiate add-ons because every customer counts.
Best Time to Buy a Car in 2025
With Canadian dealerships facing larger inventories and stabilizing interest rates, 2025 is shaping up to be a buyer’s market.
The best time to buy a car in 2025 will be:
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September (selection + early discounts)
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October–December (deepest clearance sales)
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Black Friday & Boxing Day for holiday promotions.
If you’re flexible, waiting until fall 2025 could save you thousands on new or used cars in Canada.
Practical Tips for Getting the Best Deal
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Shop Around: Compare offers from multiple dealerships, even if it means driving a little further.
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Know Your Trade-In Value: Get an appraisal before visiting the dealership.
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Look Beyond Price: Consider financing terms, rebates, and bonuses.
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Don’t Rush: If you can wait until fall or year-end, you’ll usually save more.
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Use Online Tools: Platforms like Canada Drives allow you to get pre-approved for financing before you set foot in a dealership. Getting pre-approved for your car loan is recommended, even if you don't have the best credit it can help you find the best options in your area.
Read more here: How to get a car loan in Canada with bad credit?
FAQ: Best Time to Buy a Car in Canada
What is the best month to buy a car in Canada?
September through December. September offers selection and savings, while December offers the biggest discounts.
Is it cheaper to buy a car in December or January?
December usually has better deals because dealerships are closing their books for the year, but January may still offer leftover clearance stock.
When is the worst time to buy a car?
Spring (March–May), when demand peaks and discounts are limited.
Do dealerships negotiate in Canada?
Yes — especially at the end of the month, quarter, or year. Read our tips on how to negotiate with a dealership here.
When is the best time to buy a used car?
Late fall and early spring, when more trade-ins hit the market.
Access Great Deals Without Visiting a Dealership
You don’t need to visit multiple dealerships to find the right deal. With Canada Drives, you can:
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Get pre-approved online for a car loan.
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See the vehicles you already qualify for.
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Shop with confidence, knowing your financing is secured in advance.
Get pre-approved today and discover the best car deals near you in 2025.
