agent Entrepreneur logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

LendingTree: This Is the Best Time to Buy a Car

The team at LendingTree analyzed data from more than 2 million LendingTree users as well as Edmunds to find the best time of the year to purchase a vehicle.

March 25, 2021
LendingTree: This Is the Best Time to Buy a Car

The team at LendingTree analyzed data from more than 2 million LendingTree users as well as Edmunds to find the best time of the year to purchase a vehicle. 

IMAGE: LendingTree.com

1 min to read


LENDING TREE – The team at LendingTree analyzed data from more than 2 million LendingTree users as well as Edmunds to find the best time of the year to purchase a vehicle. From the best rates to the best prices, a quick look at what we found: 

  • December car buyers receive the best APRs compared with any other month. In December, the average auto loan APR is 7.01%. The worst time to buy a car is in January when the average auto loan APR is 8.57%.

  • December is also the best month to get MSRP discounts, with discounts averaging 6.5% in December. The least optimal time of year for MSRP incentives is July through October.

  • March is the most popular month for car buying. In 41 states, March saw the biggest uptick in people looking to buy a car. Despite the best APRs coming in December, that month is the quietest for car buying. In 34 states, December had the lowest car-buying traffic.

Ad Loading...

More Industry

newspaper advertisement circled in pink, Turn Listings into Leads, F&I and Showroom
Industryby Lauren LawrenceAugust 5, 2026

Structure Leads to Optimized Auto Listings

As the average car-buying journey has shifted to a blend of digital and retail, a dealership’s vehicle listings must be optimized to answer shoppers’ questions clearly and accurately.

Read More →
Photo of woman counting cash with a calculator sitting on a desk in front of her
Industryby Hannah MitchellJuly 30, 2026

Consumers Mixed on Economy, Finances

A July survey shows spotty sentiment of current and future conditions, in addition to demographic differences as overall opinion of present circumstances kept sliding.

Read More →
blue map of Europe with outline of an electric vehicle powertrain on top, Closing the Powertrain Gap, Agent Entrepreneur
Industryby Lauren LawrenceJuly 30, 2026

EVs Closing the European Gap

Electrified powertrains led June new-vehicle sales in Europe, reaching 26% of the market.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
a line of people sitting down with paperwork in their hands
Industryby Lauren LawrenceJuly 27, 2026

Early Intervention Saves Retention

Sales and service departments have the highest annual dealership turnover rates, according to a new industry report, costing money and time that could be better spent elsewhere.

Read More →
Photo of MINI nameplate on the hood of a white MINI Cooper
Industryby Hannah MitchellJuly 23, 2026

Autos More Appealing

Consumers gave new cars better scores again this year for design, performance and more as mass-market brands kept gaining on premium lineups, JD Power found in an annual poll.

Read More →
red car parked in front of a sunset, The Used Market Divide, Agent Entrepreneur
Industryby Lauren LawrenceJuly 23, 2026

Used EVs Defy Overall Market

While the used-car market saw three months of price declines or stagnation, the used EV segment did the opposite – rising for three straight months.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
silver car in background with hand in front holding out a set of keys, Trade-In Trouble, F&I and Showroom
Industryby Lauren LawrenceJuly 20, 2026

Trade-Ins in Negative Equity Reach New Heights

As such trade-ins rise in frequency, so do monthly loan payment amounts and interest rates, according to second-quarter data compiled by Edmunds.

Read More →
Photo of a retriever dog looking out of an open SUV window with a yellow Peugeot headrest on the top of the window below it
Industryby Hannah MitchellJuly 16, 2026

Gone to the Dogs

A Stellantis brand decided to have some fun with one of its SUVs’ design to address growing emphasis on family pets.

Read More →
Aerial shot of a car dealership
Industryby Hannah MitchellJuly 13, 2026

OEM Poll Sees Industry Evolution

Kerrigan Advisors’ survey of automakers finds that tariffs, technology, network tightening and other factors are poised to reshape auto retail.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Foreign Cars Italia dealership store in front of sunset
Industryby Hannah MitchellJuly 2, 2026

Luxe N.C. Dealerships Change Hands

A collection of Italian and English brand franchises were handed off to the owner’s friend in the business and include the Carolinas’ only Ferrari retail stores.

Read More →
Ad Loading...