Is now a good time to lease a car?

Is now a good time to lease a car? It certainly can be, particularly if you've found a competitive deal on a car that suits your needs and budget. However, there's no single best time to lease. Prices change throughout the year, so finding the right deal is often more important than waiting for a particular month.

If you're thinking about leasing your next car, here's what you should consider before making a decision.

When is the best time to lease a car?

Car leasing deals are available throughout the year, although certain periods can bring more attractive offers.

• March and September: New registration plates arrive, which can coincide with manufacturer discounts and special offers.
• End of financial quarters: Manufacturers may introduce additional incentives to help meet sales targets.
• October to December (Q4): The final quarter can be a good time to look for lease deals. Manufacturers may introduce additional discounts and financial support as they work towards annual sales and registration targets, particularly on vehicles available from stock.
• New model launches: Attractive deals can sometimes become available on outgoing models as manufacturers make way for newer versions.

However, these aren't guaranteed to be the cheapest times. Some of the best lease deals appear outside traditional promotional periods.

Why do car leasing prices change?

You might notice that the monthly rental on a particular car changes from one week to the next.

There are several reasons for this, including:

• Manufacturer offers: Discounts and financial support can make selected models more affordable.
• Vehicle availability: Cars already in stock may benefit from competitive pricing.
• Depreciation: A car's predicted future value influences its monthly rental.

As a leasing broker, we regularly see how changes in manufacturer support and funder pricing can affect monthly rentals. A particularly competitive deal on one model might not be available for long.

This also explains why two cars with similar purchase prices can have very different monthly leasing costs. Find out more in our guide to how car leasing payments are calculated.

Should you lease a car now or wait?

If you've found a car you like at a monthly rental you're comfortable with, there may be little benefit in waiting.

Lease prices can go down, but they can also increase, and particularly attractive offers don't always last.

If you're flexible about the car you drive or when you need it, comparing different makes, models and contract lengths could help you find better value.

Before committing, consider the total contract cost, your annual mileage and how long you want to keep the vehicle. If you're unsure about the contract length, our blog on whether it's better to lease a car for 3 or 4 years could help.

So, is now a good time to lease?

The best time to lease isn't necessarily when a new registration plate arrives or when the year ends. It's when you find a competitive deal on the right car, with a contract that suits your budget and driving needs.

At Gateway2Lease, we compare offers from a range of leasing funders, helping you explore competitive deals across different makes and models.

Thinking about your next car? Explore our latest car lease deals and see what's available.