Drivers warned to sell cars before March deadline as values plummet

Motorists thinking about buying a new car have been urged to sell their old model before the start of March in order to get the best possible price.

Despite a slump in sales over recent months, the used car market was surprisingly strong during January 2025, with many drivers looking to get behind the wheel of a bargain.

However, Tim Rodie from the used car retailer Motorpoint suggested that the demand may not last after March 1 2025, with the new number plate reg set to see a rise in new car sales.

He explained: “It’s well documented that new car prices are heavily impacted by the plate change, but motorists may not be aware that the price of their current vehicle can also be affected.

“Interestingly, it isn’t the new plates themselves that impact the value of your car but rather the influx of brand-new vehicles on the road.”

Currently, the DVLA issues a new set of number plates twice each year, with the ’25-reg’ plates due to launch on March 1 2025 and the ’75-reg’ set to be introduced on September 1 2025.

The number plates always help to boost interest in new models, with many drivers wanting to buy or lease a model with the latest registration, typically selling their old model on the used market.

As a result, drivers looking to get the most money for their used vehicle have been urged to sell it before the ’25-reg’ cars launch and there is a lower supply of pre-owned models on the market.

Tim highlighted that most drivers will be surprised at how much popular used models could plummet when there is an influx of similar vehicles on the market.

He advised: “With newer models entering the used car market and lots of drivers looking to sell, you could see the value of your car decline quite considerably.

“If anyone is looking to sell their car, I would strongly recommend that they do so ahead of March 1st.”

According to the vehicle marketplace AutoTrader, the Vauxhall Zafira was the fastest-depreciating used model in January 2025, with the average value falling 18.7 percent in 12 months.

This is largely because the once-popular seven-seat MPV has been out of production for a number of years, with the remaining examples on the road getting older.

However, a wide range of current models also fell in price over the past year, with the average price of a used BMW iX1 dropping by 17.5 percent to £35,986, and Tesla Model Ys typically selling for £31,588 – a fall of 16.8 percent.