Annabelle Clarke

PR Manager

Annabelle Clarke | Author

Eduardo Rodrigues

Content Writer

Claudia Tuñón

Isobel Coughlan

Joseph Law

Bumper Content Writer

Alastair Shephard

After a house, a car is likely to be one of the biggest purchases you make, so there’s plenty to consider: what model to buy, whether to finance or buy outright, and even 

It may not seem like a big deal, but depending on the type of car you’re looking for, the time of year can make a considerable difference in the price and availability of the model you want. In this article, we’ll go through just when is the right time to buy a car. 

It’s worth noting first off that there may not be a “best time” to buy; it could be your hand is forced by an unexpected repair bill, or even worse, an accident. It could also be that all of a sudden you need to carry an extra person, or a pet! 

So don’t feel too disappointed if you need to buy outside of the ideal time. Everything we discuss here is in an ideal world, where your vehicular needs and cash flow can allow the freedom to decide. 

That said, car prices do fluctuate throughout the year, especially on certain types of models, so it’s always worth planning ahead. 

If you’re on the hunt for a brand new car from a dealer, you can try a couple of different tactics, both revolving around the financial calendar. 

In the lead-up to a new model being released, dealerships will be keen to clear old stock out and make space for the newer model. This could be if a new version of the same model, or even if a similar model is launched, that replaces the old one. 

Manufacturers will typically give a rough estimate of when new cars will be available in showrooms, but you may need to call the dealer ahead of time to get a more accurate timeframe for when the new cars will be arriving.

The tax year runs from the 6th of April to the 5th of April the following year. Businesses close their accounts at the end of this financial year, and a drive to increase sales generally picks up around then.

This can mean dealerships might be slightly more accepting of an offer or two around this period, in order to clinch the sale. 

In a similar way to the previous point, salespeople and dealerships often have sales targets that reset each financial quarter. This puts late March, late June, late September and late December as optimum times to visit.

Around when a new registration is released

In the UK, car registrations are dated, in the current format - that has been in use since 2001 - the 3rd and 4th numbers designate the date, e.g. YR25 OLJ is a car registered between March and September 2025. 

Lots of people prefer to have the latest registration. This generally means a spike in sales around March and September. For people who don’t mind having the latest reg number, this could mean a better price.

This is because A - Dealers may be likely to want older plated cars off their forecourt before the new ones come out, and B - They may also be willing to let those same cars go at a lower price 

the new ones are released, due to a lower demand.

Buying a used car can save you thousands; even a car 3-4 years old can be up to 60% cheaper than new. Older cars can be an even bigger bargain, and if you time it right, you may be able to save even more.

For a lot of people, Christmas is an expensive time of year, with loads of things to pay for. That’s why car sales have historically been slow around December and January.

If you’re fortunate enough to be able to buy around Christmas time, you may find an offer on a used (or new for that matter) car is more likely to be accepted.

For your run of the mill hatchbacks, estates and SUVs, there’s no real correlation between demand and time of year, for open top sports cars, however, the weather and season can play a big part.

If you’re looking for a little 2-seater convertible, being able to plan ahead and buy one during winter or autumn could save you a pretty penny. Sellers will still want or need to get rid of cars during these times, but they’ll have much less haggling power if less people are looking to buy!

The opposite is true for cars that people tend to want in winter, 4x4s for snow, and rugged estate cars that don’t mind getting muddy, salty and generally beaten about, aren’t really on buyers' minds during the height of summer.

Buy performance cars at the start of the month

If you’re looking for a performance car, or even just a slightly older car, the VED (road tax) can be a considerable cost, with some rates over £700 per year. Factoring this in when timing your purchase could save you a tank of fuel's worth of cash. Because VED isn't transferable and you can only buy in full calendar months, you’ll need to tax the car from the moment you buy it. If this happens a few days before the end of the month, you’ll still get charged for that whole month.

Buy just after the start of the month, however, and you’ll get a full month's driving from that first payment. The same can be said for selling a car, or taking it off the road - do so nearing the end of a calendar month.

Sell your old car rather than trading it in

When trading in or part-exchanging your old car for a new one, the dealer needs to account for all their costs when calculating the amount they’ll pay. They’ll need to valet it, store it, and of course, add a profit margin. 

This means you won’t get as much for your car as if you sold it privately before the new purchase sites like Autotrader and eBay can be good for getting the best value for your old car. 

 has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.

When is the Best Time to Buy a Car?

Petrol and diesel cars have been firmly in the crosshairs of environmental legislation in recent years, thanks to the large amount of pollution they pump into the atmosphere, and the limited supply of fossil fuels they use to do so.

Synthetic fuels may pose a solution to both these points, all without needing extensive modifications to existing vehicles. But what exactly are synthetic fuels, how are they made, and are they the answer to the impending 2030 petrol and diesel ban?

Synthetic fuel, also known as e-Fuel, is an alternative to petrol or diesel, but instead of being a refined version of the oil found naturally in the Earth's crust, it's a man-made fuel, produced through complex and innovative processes.

You may have heard of synthetic oil for use in your engine, as they are commonly specified for use in modern vehicles; however, synthetic fuel doesn’t follow quite the same method. Whereas synthetic engine oil starts with crude oil, the constituent parts of synthetic fuels are all extracted in a renewable way, and even the energy used comes from renewable methods such as solar and wind.

At the most basic level, synthetic fuels are a blend of carbon and hydrogen to form a liquid hydrocarbon fuel. Almost all fuels we use are hydrocarbons, from natural gas to diesel.

Hydrogen is gathered by extracting it from plain old water, in a process called electrolysis. Whilst it sounds relatively simple, this takes large amounts of energy to do. The other ingredient, carbon, is ideally captured from the large amounts of carbon dioxide in the air, but can also come from processed biomatter. 

Once collected, the hydrogen and carbon are combined and refined into petrol or diesel, depending on the materials used and processing involved.

Yes, the main selling point of eFuels is that they work as direct replacements for fossil-based petrol and diesel. The reliability, economy and performance would be matched by way of additives, just as synthetic engine oils are made.

An alternative to fossil fuels has been a priority for many years, due to both their polluting nature and the finite quantity of crude oil needed to produce them. Thanks to the way e-fuel is made, it is a CO2-neutral process, meaning it does not add CO2 to the atmosphere in the same way burning fossil fuels does. 

This means we can limit the effect our cars have on the environment, and add another option for those not yet ready or able to switch to electric. The prospect of synthetic fuels is so promising that an exemption to the EU 2035 petrol car ban was added.

One of the companies leading the way in synthetic fuel development is Porsche, most likely because the bulk of their business and prestige is from high-performance sports cars such as the 911, and they are famous for their incredible engines.

Whilst they do still emit CO2 into the atmosphere when burnt in an engine, eFuels are made by capturing carbon dioxide out of the air, meaning their carbon emissions are effectively neutralised.

However, one aspect that is not cleaner is the nitrogen oxide emissions; in some cases these have been found to be higher than when using conventional petrol fuel, the same can be said for carbon monoxide and ammonia.

What are the downsides of synthetic fuels?

Synthetic fuels aren’t widely used currently due to both cost and availability. The largest plant in the world in Chile is predicted to output around 55 million litres of eFuel in 2025, which sounds good until you learn that the UK alone uses around 17 billion litres of petrol. 

Because of this scarcity, the price is also very expensive, and with the amount of energy needed to produce it, it's not likely to come down to a price near that of normal fuels in the next few years. 

Another downside, especially when compared to electric vehicles, is the emissions that are still released when burned. As we discussed above, the NOx and carbon monoxide levels can actually be higher in some cases. This, coupled with the carbon dioxide emissions, means eFuelled vehicles will still need to be controlled in cities and large towns. 

Will synthetic fuels replace EVs and Hybrids?

Time will tell, but looking at the figures, it seems unlikely, at least for the majority of drivers. What may well happen is that synthetic fuels become available for those wanting to use older performance or vintage cars.

For the masses, though, eFuels will simply be too expensive to justify; hopefully, the cost of purchase and charging infrastructure of EVs will improve before the 2030 deadline. 

Synthetic Fuels Explained

How well do you think you know the signs on UK roads? Let's face it, no matter your driving experience, there's bound to be a few gaps in your Highway Code knowledge. Test your skill level with our free online road signs quiz.

And there you have it, our road sign quiz! How did you do? Are you ready to get back on the road, or should you book in for a Highway Code refresher course? Pass the quiz to a friend to see if they can beat your score. Thanks for playing!

QUIZ: How many of these road signs do you know?

Hora del reto: ¿Cuántas de estas señales de tráfico conoces?

Quiz: Wie viele dieser Verkehrsschilder kennen Sie?

New government figures have revealed the areas in the UK with the highest number of road traffic casualties, with Kent, Surrey, and Birmingham topping the list. Despite a slight drop in total incidents in 2024, the number of people killed on British roads rose, prompting calls for urgent action.

Provisional estimates from the Department for Transport show that 128,375 people were injured in road traffic collisions last year, including 1,633 fatalities, a 1% increase from 2023. Worryingly, motorcyclist deaths rose by 9%, while pedestrian fatalities increased by 2%.

The figures clearly show that while overall collisions may be declining, the severity of incidents is not. Fatalities are rising among vulnerable groups like motorcyclists and pedestrians, and that should be a wake-up call for national and local policymakers.

Kent, Surrey and Birmingham have consistently high numbers of casualties, and this year’s data only reinforces the need for targeted interventions in these hotspots. These aren’t just numbers – each one represents a life impacted by road trauma.

Young drivers aged 17 to 29 remain significantly overrepresented in road casualties, while older drivers account for a disproportionate share of fatalities. Road safety campaigns must do more to address these specific demographics with education and technology.

We support tougher penalties for high-risk behaviours like drug driving and not wearing a seatbelt. But beyond punishment, we also need better infrastructure, improved driver training, and smarter in-car safety systems – especially for those just starting out behind the wheel.

According to the data, the top 10 local authorities with the most casualties were:

While the Department for Transport has committed to releasing a new Road Safety Strategy, experts stress the need for swift and bold action.

Map Reveals the UK's Worst Areas for Road Incidents

It might sound like a harmless squeak – but ignoring a high-pitched noise under your car’s bonnet could lead to hundreds of pounds in engine damage. Experts have warned that a squealing sound could signal a worn fan belt – and spraying it with WD-40 might do more harm than good.

The fan belt, also known as the auxiliary belt, is a key engine component responsible for powering everything from your alternator and cooling fan to power steering and air conditioning. Over time, the belt wears out or stretches, and one of the first signs is a telltale squeaking or chirping noise when you start the engine or accelerate.

A squeaking noise from under the bonnet is often the first sign your fan belt is wearing out or has lost tension. It’s a really common issue – but the wrong fix could end up costing you dearly.

Many drivers instinctively reach for WD-40 or other lubricants, assuming the belt just needs a bit of oil to quieten it down. But Bumper warns that this DIY quick-fix could create a far more expensive problem.

Fan belts are designed to run dry. If you spray any kind of lubricant on them, it can cause the belt to slip off the pulleys while the engine is running – and that can lead to engine overheating or damage to critical components.

In older cars, the solution may be as simple as tightening the belt with a socket wrench. However, most modern vehicles are fitted with automatic tensioners, meaning if the belt is squeaking, it's usually because it’s too worn or stretched to work properly – and should be replaced.

If your car uses an automatic tensioner and it’s still squeaking, don’t ignore it. Either the belt has had its day, or one of the components it drives – like the water pump or alternator – could be starting to fail.

The cost of replacing a worn fan belt typically ranges between £100 and £200, but if the belt snaps or slips off while driving, the cost to repair the damage could be much higher – especially if it leads to engine overheating or electrical failure.

The advice is simple: don’t ignore the squeak, and never spray oil on a fan belt.

If you hear a high-pitched squeal when starting your car or turning the wheel, it’s time to book it in – not reach for the WD-40. That sound might be annoying, but it’s your car’s way of telling you something’s wrong.

Drivers Warned Squeaking Noise Could Cost £100s – and WD-40 Might Make It Worse

Drivers are being urged to take better care of their engines – and it could be as simple as heading down the motorway now and then. Experts have warned that cautious, slow driving habits may actually be doing more harm than good, increasing the risk of engine damage caused by carbon build-up – often referred to by mechanics as “black death.”

Most motorists try to protect their cars by driving gently around town, but this can unintentionally lead to long-term problems. One of the biggest risks is the accumulation of carbon deposits, which clog internal components, reduce fuel efficiency, and can eventually lead to engine failure.

If you’re constantly driving at low speeds – especially for short journeys – your engine never gets hot enough to burn off carbon deposits. Over time, this can lead to a build-up inside your valves, pistons and exhaust system.

Known as “black death” because of its thick, dark appearance, the deposits are a by-product of unburnt fuel and poor engine circulation. Left unchecked, they can harden and cause serious damage.

In the worst-case scenario, carbon build-up can cause your engine to seize – and replacing that could cost thousands.

Thankfully, there’s a simple solution – and it doesn’t cost a penny.

Modern engines are designed to be run at higher speeds from time to time. Taking your car for a steady drive on the motorway helps heat the engine fully and allows fuel to clean and lubricate components.

Petrol, when forced through the system at higher pressure, can act as a natural solvent – cleaning valves and piston rings as it goes.

Another warning sign to look out for is white foam or froth under the oil cap, which could indicate water condensation in the engine oil, often caused by short trips where the engine doesn’t heat up properly.

If you take your oil cap off and notice a milky substance, that’s usually a sign your engine isn’t getting hot enough to burn off moisture. It’s not necessarily a serious fault, but it can lead to long-term problems if ignored.

Again, a regular long-distance drive at a steady speed can resolve the issue. When you drive at motorway speed for 45 minutes to an hour, the heat generated by the engine is enough to evaporate condensation and prevent that build-up. Keeping up with maintenance and using preventative measures like these can keep your vehicle in a better condition for longer, and hopefully save your bank balance from taking a big hit too.

Mechanics Warn Drivers to Beat Engine ‘Black Death’ with This Simple Habit

Bumper has successfully completed its Series B extension round, raising an additional £8 million in equity funding. This marks the second extension to its Series B round, bringing the total investment to £20 million.

The round attracted the continued support from leading automotive and mobility investors, including Autotech Ventures, Suzuki Global Ventures, Porsche Ventures, JLR’s InMotion Ventures and Shell Ventures.

The completion of this latest funding round coincides with Bumper marking its tenth anniversary with a refreshed corporate brand identity and the launch of an all-new website with greater functionality for both dealer partners and car owners.

Bumper will use the new funding to launch the Bumper Pro platform and AutoBI services across the UK and Europe and support strategic hiring to scale the company’s operations.

Bumper Pro enables automotive retailers to use Bumper’s direct payment solutions to reduce card transaction fees and automate back-office workflows. AutoBI, a business acquired by Bumper last year, provides real-time business intelligence tools for car retailers and OEMs.

James Jackson, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bumper, said: “This investment is a strong vote of confidence from existing investors in our ambitious growth trajectory, long-term vision and our amazing team.

“We are now operationally profitable and on track to surpass £1 billion in gross merchandise value (GMV) in 2025, representing a tripling of our GMV year-on-year. This momentum is driven by our expanding suite of services that deliver quantifiable value to automotive retailers and OEMs.

“Ten years ago, Bumper launched as a provider of interest-free repair financing for car owners. Today, it has evolved into a comprehensive digital payments and software as a service (SaaS) platform for the automotive retailing sector, with products designed to streamline dealer operations, reduce costs and enhance customer experiences.”

Tony Rimas, Venture Partner of Autotech Ventures, said: “We first invested in Bumper in 2021, attracted by its industry-leading buy now, pay later (BNPL) product and penetration in the UK dealer sector. Since then, we have been impressed by its remarkable revenue growth in the UK and across Europe, its expanded portfolio of payment solutions and the team’s ability to execute on its ambitious plans.

“We’re delighted to support the next phase of Bumper’s growth and are particularly excited by the opportunities presented by its acquisition of AutoBI and Cocoon Payments and the rollout of the game-changing Bumper Pro platform.” 

Kaihei Takagi, Director of Suzuki Global Ventures said: "We are very excited to continue supporting Bumper’s growth, following our initial investment, in this Series B extension. As a result of Bumper’s proactive M&A growth strategy, we have been able to engage in broader strategic discussions beyond just Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL), including areas of potential collaboration with Suzuki Motor Corporation. 

“We look forward to deepening these strategic conversations and supporting Bumper’s continued expansion across Europe, Japan and other regions."

Bumper raises £8 million in Series B extension to accelerate expansion and product rollout

China has been a dominating force in manufacturing for decades, with many of the products we buy and use daily being made there. But, until recently, the same could not be said for cars; despite there being numerous Chinese car brands, they never really made much headway in any markets outside of Asia. 

However, with over 10% of new cars sold in the UK in 2025 being made in China, that is changing. Here is a rundown of some of the most notable brands, with some information about their current models. 

 has a long and varied history in the UK, first founded in the 1920s, they were famous for their open-top sports cars like the MG A and MG TF. The brand was owned by numerous companies throughout its life, but was finally bought by the current owner, SAIC, in 2011.

A full-scale re-launch, geared heavily towards cost-effective electric and hybrid cars, started in 2019. Since then, they have gone from strength to strength, with very successful models such as the MG5, MG HS and MG ZS.

SAIC, the owner of the MG Europe brand, is the biggest producer of cars in China, and has dozens of factories making both SAIC and MG-branded cars, for inside and outside of China, respectively. 

 was originally a battery manufacturer formed in 1995; they diversified into cars in the early 2000s. Their models are well known for their quirky design and names, notable mentions being the Seal, Sealion and Dolphin. 

Global sales in 2022 hit 1.8 million, making them a significant player internationally. Priced slightly higher than the likes of MG, and with a focus on luxurious interiors, they are targeting the higher end of this new market.

, was founded in 1997, but did not enter the UK market until 2024, with the Omoda 5 launch in March of that year. The brand is offering mid-level vehicles that offer a good amount of tech and luxury, but aren’t as expensive as some more luxury brands. 

Chery is the fourth largest vehicle manufacturer in China, and as such has many facilities across the country, its vehicle selection in the UK is currently limited to three models, the Omoda 5, the E5 and the Omoda 9. 

 came to the UK market ahead of most other Chinese brands, with their diesel powered Steed pickup truck in 2012. The Steed didn’t sell in great numbers, but the new ORA brand has. 

Their flagship vehicle being the ORA 3 (originally named the Funky Cat) which is a small, quirky city car, powered by a 170bhp electric motor. With prices starting at just under £25,000, it offers good value compared to the competition. 

GWM is also busy bringing another brand to the UK; HAVAL, which will specialise in SUVs and Crossovers. Their first car; the Jolion Pro. They have also teased what looks like a pickup truck too.

As seems to be common with all the brands discussed here, 

is another offshoot from a larger company, with the aim of targeting a different market. The parent company, Geely, is one of the larger car makers in China, and actually owns a few well-known “European” brands such as Polestar, Volvo and Lotus.

Zeekr is primarily focussed on the luxury market, with three cars in their current lineup, the most notable, the 001, is bucking the trend slightly by offering a shooting brake style 5 door, reminiscent of a larger Porsche Panamera.

The AWD performance model has over 500hp, putting it squarely in the high-end performance EV category. Other models include the angular Zeekr X (expected late 2025) and the 7X to come sometime after that. 

What are the top Chinese car brands?

Find all the latest industry news and handiest car repair and service tips on the Bumper Blog. Want to get the Bumper view on something? Let us know and we’ll drop a blog post on it as soon as we can.