Is There a Right Time of The Year to Lease Your Next Vehicle?

If you have ever asked yourself whether you should wait for a better deal before leasing your next vehicle, you are not alone. Seasonality in the UK leasing market is very real. However, it’s often misunderstood.

Busting the ‘bad time’ myth

We have been guiding professionals and businesses through the leasing market for over 12 years, and let us tell you, there is no universally “bad” time to explore your options.

The market moves constantly, and pricing is rarely about luck. It is shaped by supply pipelines, manufacturer support, balance sheet pressures and a touch of consumer psychology. However, there are moments in the calendar when conditions align and sharper opportunities can emerge.

Let’s talk about some of the key periods that tend to influence pricing and availability.

March and September: registration plate changes

New registration plates arrive in March and September. These months attract heightened consumer attention, but the real opportunity often sits just before the new plate lands.

Manufacturers and dealer groups are focused on clearing physical stock and managing pipeline risk ahead of the launch. Where vehicles are already built and funded, tactical support can appear to accelerate orders.

That can translate into sharper leasing rates on outgoing model years or pre-registered vehicles.

The nuance is important. It is not the plate itself that creates value. It is the volume and funding pressure sitting behind the stock.

Financial year-end: April

As the UK financial year closes in April, manufacturers, dealer groups and funders assess annual performance against targets.

If there is a shortfall, additional support can appear in March and early April to protect volume metrics. This can create a temporary window where leasing rates are enhanced.

However, this is brand and model-dependent. Strong-selling vehicles with long lead times rarely require additional support. In-demand models are not discounted simply because the calendar changes.

Quarter ends: March, June, September, December

Quarterly performance cycles also influence behaviour.

Dealer groups and manufacturers frequently operate against quarterly targets. As quarter-end approaches, tactical discounting or increased manufacturer contributions can emerge to push volume over the line.

Again, this is not guaranteed. It depends on stock levels, demand and how each brand is performing. But it is a pattern we see consistently across the market.

So…is there a best time?

The honest answer is this. There is no single best month to lease a vehicle. There are simply moments when supply, funding and targets align in your favour.

The biggest mistake we see is waiting for a mythical perfect moment. The market is dynamic. Some of the strongest opportunities appear quickly and disappear just as fast.

The key is not trying to time the market blindly. It is understanding what is happening behind the scenes and making an informed decision based on your needs, your budget and current conditions.

If you are approaching renewal or simply exploring your options, now is as good a time as any to have a conversation. Speak to our team today and let’s make sure you move at the right time for you.