No one likes having to wait for their new car so we called key manufacturers for to get their latest UK lead times
Buying a new car in 2022 will be a little more time-consuming than normal. Production issues caused by Covid-19 and global semiconductor shortages mean that your brand new motor could take weeks or months longer than usual to arrive on your driveway. Of course, there are still new cars with very short delivery times. The trick for car buyers is knowing which is which.
Finding out how long you can expect to wait for a new car might make you more inclined to switch to another car brand or put you off buying a car altogether, so having transparency over production and delivery times will be key for car makers and prospective buyers alike in the coming months.
We asked the UK’s major car brands to tell us how long lead times are on their current model range, and for their guidance on which new cars are available from stock for immediate delivery.
New car delivery times
Here’s what the top car brands told us when we quizzed them about the waiting time buyers can expect on their latest models…
Audi
The German firm was unable to provide accurate advanced lead times for new cars, with model availability constantly varying. Audi customers are being informed of the fluid situation and are given as much information as possible at the time of their purchase.
BMW
Customers who order a new BMW are currently facing an average lead time of 20 to 24 weeks. Some models require a transit time of four to six weeks, which is included in that average, plus lead times are longer for electric and plug-in hybrid models due to exceptionally strong demand.
New-car stock at BMW dealers is lower than it has been historically, the manufacturer told us, but customers can search through what is available online. Any new cars that are in stock are typically offered for delivery within two weeks.
Citroen
Citroen said customers can take delivery of a selection of its core models in what it called a “reasonable amount of time”, depending on colour and specification chosen. Availability of electric and plug-in hybrid models is particularly strong, the manufacturer added, with the e-C4, e-Berlingo, e-SpaceTourer and C5 Aircross Plug-in Hybrid all able to be delivered in the first half of 2022.
The French company told us that it does have some new cars in stock at its dealers for customers to choose from if they need something sooner.
Dacia
Anyone who orders a new Sandero, Sandero Stepway or Duster now should receive it before the end of August. Pre-orders are also open for the new Jogger, and Dacia expects deliveries before the end of August, too.
There are new cars in stock at Dacia dealers, so a customer may be able to get a car sooner if they’re not fussy about spec.
Fiat/Abarth
All orders for new Fiat and Abarth models placed today should arrive in the first half of 2022. Dealers are carrying stock of some models, so customers can get a Fiat or Abarth sooner than this if they are willing to compromise on specification.
Ford
Anyone ordering a new Ford can expect a wait of three to seven months, depending on model. The Fiesta, for example, is available in four to five months and an EcoSport can be had in as little as three to four months, but you’ll wait six to seven months for an electric Mustang Mach-E.
Ford said it was unable to provide a UK-wide answer to our question about dealer stock, explaining that this is highly model and geography-dependent.
Honda
Customers who want a Honda can order any new car from the brand’s entire range for delivery by the end of March.
There are also examples of every single model in stock at dealers, so immediate delivery is possible across the range if the customer doesn’t mind what colour or trim level they get.
Hyundai
New-car lead times vary across Hyundai models and derivatives. The brand is keeping its dealers updated with the latest production and availability information, so customers are advised to speak to them.
The Korean brand added that there is a “limited” amount of stock available across its dealer network.
Jaguar
Jaguar told us it couldn’t provide specific new-car lead times, because these vary between different models and retailers. As an example, however, one Jaguar dealer Auto Express spoke to in the south-east of England quoted a six-month lead time for a new I-Pace.
The British manufacturer also said its stock situation was changing on an hourly basis, so it was impossible to provide an accurate picture of what’s available.
Land Rover
Land Rover told us its lead times vary with model, quoting a six to 12-month window as a rough guide. As Auto Express went to press, Land Rover had no dealer stock on the ground in the UK whatsoever.
Mazda
At present, most models are available for delivery on a 22-plate in March. This situation is liable to change, the Japanese brand cautioned, but it added that it would be confident of fulfilling all orders by June/July.
Mazda couldn’t comment on dealer stock, highlighting that customer orders receive priority at the factory.
Mercedes
As with many other brands, Mercedes is experiencing varying lead times. Customers are advised to check with their dealer for information on any car they want to order.
In terms of dealer stock, Mercedes told us there’s a good selection of electric EQ models available. These and all other cars in stock can be seen on the Mercedes website.
MINI
All new MINIs ordered today will be built in June, the brand said, adding that this could become July for some in-demand models.
Dealer stock of new MINIs is more limited than usual, but some cars are available.
Nissan
Nissan has stated: “Supply of different models varies significantly. Lead times will also vary depending on the stock available to individual dealers. If customers are willing to be flexible then orders can be filled in a matter of days or weeks.”
Kia
The majority of new Kia models have a lead time of 8-16 weeks, the brand told us. Its UK best-sellers – the all-new Sportage and several variants of the Ceed – currently have a lead time of exactly eight weeks. Wait times for the EV6 and Sorento, however, are in excess of 16 weeks, due to high global demand.
The brand’s dealer stock is fluctuating, it added, but some models are available, primarily those built in Europe, such as the Sportage and Ceed.
Peugeot
A good selection of Peugeots – including variants of the 208, 2008 and 508 – is available on a 22-plate. The French brand warned that lead times can be affected by specification and colour choices. Peugeot was unable to provide information on its dealer stock.
Renault
All new Renault orders placed before the end of February will arrive before August, the French firm told us. The Mégane E-Tech is going on sale in April, with first deliveries due to arrive in September.
As with its subsidiary Dacia, Renault has some new cars in stock at its dealers for customers who are willing to compromise on model and specification.
SEAT
“The Group is taking every effort it can to minimise delivery delays for its customers and to ensure that they remain mobile (e.g. extending existing lease terms). This means that delivery times for some vehicles will be longer than normal.”
“For this reason, we are unable to provide you with lead times at the moment.”
Skoda
Orders placed in February for the Skoda Fabia, Kamiq, Superb and Kodiaq will arrive before the end of August, the company confirmed. We were also told that it’s currently running very low levels of new dealer stock.
Toyota/Lexus
Lead times for new Toyota and Lexus cars are changing every day, and the firms said that they couldn’t provide a list of model lead times and dealer stock that would stay accurate for long.
Although the brands have been in a “reasonably good place” in the face of the semiconductor shortage, they are being affected, they added.
Vauxhall
A full range of Vauxhalls is available on a 22-plate. Corsa, Mokka and Crossland – including the electric variants of the first two – are available with a lead time of two to three months. The Astra, Grandland and Insignia will arrive in early summer if they are ordered now.
The British firm said that it has a very limited number of new cars in stock at its dealers across the UK.
Volvo
The majority of new Volvos ordered now will be built in June and ready for delivery in July. The Swedish manufacturer highlighted that models built in China (XC60 plug-in hybrid and the S90) and the US (S60) will take several weeks longer than this to be delivered. Volvo also warned that its order books are very full, so the situation could easily change.
New-car stock at Volvo dealers is lower than usual, the brand told us, but if a customer finds something in stock that they want, it can be driven away within a few days of being purchased.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen declined to provide us with any specific model lead times, merely saying that its delivery times are longer than normal. It was a similar story when we asked about dealer stock, which the German giant told us varies from retailer to retailer.
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Keyword: New car delivery times 2022: how long will you have to wait?