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If you’re planning to buy a new car, the timing of your booking can have a direct impact on both the payment you have to make and how long you can use the vehicle, especially if you live in Delhi. With OEMs increasing prices from January 2026, potential buyers can expect to pay thousands of rupees more over the ex-showroom price, depending on the exact increase.
Why are prices increasing from January 2026?
Carmakers are announcing price hikes across their portfolio, with the new prices coming into effect from January 1, 2026. The primary reason behind these increases is the continued cost pressure due to sharp depreciation of the Indian Rupee against major currencies like the US Dollar and Euro. The rupee hit its all-time low of 91.01 against the dollar in mid-December 2025 and has declined by nearly 6 per cent over the year, making it the weakest performing currency in Asia in 2025. This has increased the cost of imported components, raw materials and logistics, forcing manufacturers to pass on some of the burden to customers.
Nissan Motor India is the latest in this regard and will increase prices by up to 3 percent from January 1, depending on the variant. For example, the entry-level Nissan Magnite is equipped with a manual gearbox in its VISIA variant, which is currently priced at 5,61,643 (ex-showroom), its price will increase to approx Rs 17,000 when the maximum increase is implemented. At the other end of the range the Magnite Turbo CVT TEKNA+ can be had for approx. 32,000 more expensive. Similar pricing announcements have already come from JSW MG Motor India and Mercedes-Benz India, with more OEMs expected to follow.
Should you book before January 1st?
If your favorite car is already available and you are not waiting for a new model or a brand new model, it will be financially beneficial to book before the end of December. Most manufacturers allow customers who book before the price revision to take delivery at the old ex-showroom price, even if the car is delivered slightly late, subject to stock availability and dealer conditions. In simple terms, booking before January 1st lets you lock in today’s price and avoid the hike.
However, Delhiites may find the registration aspect particularly important. Cars registered in 2025 will officially become old a year earlier than cars registered in 2026. In Delhi, petrol cars are allowed to drive for 15 years from the date of registration before they can be stopped from plying on public roads. Booking now and registering the car in 2025 means your vehicle’s expiration date will arrive sooner than a 2026-registered car. For some buyers, especially those who have kept the car for a long time, this is a factor worth considering.
(Also read: Mercedes-Benz India considering quarterly price hike in 2026)
bottom line
If avoiding a price hike of thousands of rupees matters more than the registration year, then booking before January 2026 is the safe option. However, if you intend to maximize the usable life of your car under Delhi’s vehicle age rules, it may be worthwhile to wait and register in 2026, provided you are comfortable paying the higher price. Like most purchase decisions, it will ultimately come down to a choice between upfront savings and long-term ownership considerations.
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