Which Cars to Choose to Avoid The Wait

The waiting list for cars is at an all-time high. With delays caused by the ongoing global pandemic and staff absence, the semiconductor shortages and now the crisis in Ukraine, people are waiting longer and longer for new vehicles to make it onto the roads, sometimes up to a whole year.
So to help you skip the queue, MotorEasy has contacted dealers and manufacturers to find out which vehicles have the shortest waiting list for the UK’s best-selling cars of 2021. We’ve also looked at the top-selling EVs and provided some tips on how you could avoid the wait.
The UK’s top-selling car lead times
We uncovered the wait times for the top 20 cars registered for the first time from January to September 2021. We used Department for Transport data to locate the best selling cars and contacted dealers to request their factory order wait periods.
Rank | Make | Model | Estimated lead time |
1 | Nissan | Qashqai | 13 |
2 | VW | T-Roc | 14 |
2 | Tesla | Model 3 | 14 |
2 | BMW | 3 Series | 14 |
3 | VW | Polo | 20 |
3 | Kia | Sportage | 20 |
4 | Ford | Kuga | 22 |
4 | Ford | Puma | 22 |
5 | VW | Tiguan | 24 |
6 | VW | Golf | 25 |
7 | Ford | Fiesta | 26 |
7 | Mercedes | A Class | 26 |
7 | Nissan | Juke | 26 |
8 | Hyundai | Tuscon | 28 |
8 | Vauxhall | Corsa | 28 |
8 | MINI | Cooper | 28 |
9 | Toyota | Yaris | 32 |
10 | Audi | A3 | 39 |
11 | Volvo | XC40 | 52 |
12 | Kia | Niro | New model expected in July |
Nissan Qashqais have the shortest UK wait time
The Nissan Qashqai took the top spot on our list of vehicles with the shortest wait. The family-friendly SUV is expected for delivery in just 13 weeks, double the expected delivery time in 2020 of six to eight weeks.
The motor is its third iteration after being released in 2007. The latest model is packed full of on-board tech, extra room for both adults and children as well as having rear doors that open to 85 degrees making them ideal for child and baby seats.
It’s unclear whether the Qashqai delivery time benefits from the Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd which is based in the UK in the North East. However, the wait time doesn’t translate for all of the Nissan range with the Juke taking 26 weeks and the Leaf being up to 34 weeks.
The Qashqai starts from £25,505 for the Visia version.
The VW T-Roc, Tesla Model 3 and BMW 3 Series are expected in three months
If a Nissan Qashqai doesn’t take your fancy, up next, we have the VW T-Roc, Tesla Model 3 and BMW 3 Series, all with an expected delivery time of 14 weeks or just over three months.
The Model 3 is an all-electric compact sedan from Tesla which boasts an impressive range of up to 340 miles, WLTP and nippy 3.1 seconds from 0 to 60. They’re filled with top-of-line tech which has become synonymous with the brand - it’s also the cheapest Tesla on the market starting at £45,990.
The Volkswagen T-Roc is a compact SUV with both style and substance. It’s ideal for families and has impressive drive thanks to its raised drive position. The T-Roc Starts from £25,810 for the Life version.
The BMW 3 Series features two available models, a Saloon from £33,250 and a Touring from £35,085. Both versions offer impressive handling for performance motoring and a luxurious drive.
The VW T-Roc, Tesla Model 3 and BMW 3 Series are expected in three months
If a Nissan Qashqai doesn’t take your fancy, up next, we have the VW T-Roc, Tesla Model 3 and BMW 3 Series, all with an expected delivery time of 14 weeks or just over three months.
The Model 3 is an all-electric compact sedan from Tesla which boasts an impressive range of up to 340 miles, WLTP and nippy 3.1 seconds from 0 to 60. They’re filled with top-of-line tech which has become synonymous with the brand - it’s also the cheapest Tesla on the market starting at £45,990.
The Volkswagen T-Roc is a compact SUV with both style and substance. It’s ideal for families and has impressive drive thanks to its raised drive position. The T-Roc Starts from £25,810 for the Life version.
The BMW 3 Series features two available models, a Saloon from £33,250 and a Touring from £35,085. Both versions offer impressive handling for performance motoring and a luxurious drive.
The Kia Sportage and VW Polo will take around 20 weeks
In third place on the waiting list we have the Kia Sportage and Volkswagen Polo with a wait of around four and a half months.
The Kia Sportage is a compact SUV with a starting price of £26,745 for the Turbocharged version. Another family orientated vehicle with generous space which rivals the likes of the Qashqai.
The Volkswagen Polo is a small hatchback that’s been on the market since 1975. The latest version is said to be a capable supermini with big car features. It starts from £18,855 making it the most affordable model near the top of our list.
You’ll be waiting a year for a Volvo XC40
The car with the longest wait time that was in the 2021 top-selling cars was the Volvo XC40. Dealers advised you’ll be looking at around a full year for the compact SUV, taking the second from the bottom spot on the list.
In the last spot was the Kia Niro which is due for a release in July. Until the release, the model is unavailable to order.
Which EV to choose to avoid the wait
Using DfT data on top-selling EVs for 2021, we’ve also revealed the top-selling EV wait times.
Rank | Make | Model | Estimated Lead Time |
1 | Hyundai | IONIQ | 13 |
2 | Tesla | Model 3 | 14 |
3 | Renault | Zoe | 22 |
3 | Peugeot | e-2008 | 22 |
4 | Hyundai | Kona | 23 |
5 | Jaguar | I-Pace | 26 |
5 | MG | ZS | 26 |
6 | Mini | Cooper | 28 |
7 | Vauxhall | Corsa | 29 |
8 | Nissan | Leaf | 34 |
8 | Mercedes | EQC Class | 34 |
9 | VW | ID3 | 41 |
10 | Audi | E-Tron | 52 |
10 | Volvo | XC40 | 52 |
The Hyundai IONIQ is the EV with the shortest wait
The Hyundai IONIQ is the EV with the shortest wait at 13 weeks. This is the same time as the Qashqai, tying it with the leader in the best-selling car list.
The IONIQ 5 is the latest version of the all-electric hatchback from Hyundai, which is another family vehicle. Awarded the “Car of the Year 2021” by Auto Express, it’s a stylish vehicle with a top driving range of up to 298 miles and can go 0 to 62 in 5.2 seconds.
The IONIQ starts from £36,961 for the SE Connect version.
The IONIQ is followed by the Tesla Model 3 in second place with a wait time of 14 weeks.
The Renault Zoe and Peugeot e-2008 take the third spot
In third, we have the Renault Zoe and Peugeot 2008 with a wait of around 22 weeks. This implies that EVs may be harder to get hold of than petrol and diesel cars, especially when compared to the third-place wait for top-selling cars of 2021 at 20 weeks.
The Renault Zoe is a small electric vehicle with a driving range of up to 238 miles and is filled with the latest in-driving tech. They start from £30,495 for the GT+ line.
The Peugeot e-2008 is a compact but versatile SUV with a range of up to 214 miles. It’s ideal for families and starts from £33,700.
Recently released car wait times
We’ve also looked into the wait times for recently released cars that could make it onto the 2022 top sellers list.
Rank | Make | Model | Estimated lead time |
1 | Tesla | Model Y | 14 |
2 | BMW | 2 Series Active Tourer | 15 |
3 | Renault | Arkana | 22 |
4 | Ford | Mustang Mach-E | 32 |
5 | Volvo | C40 | 35 |
6 | BMW | iX | 37 |
6 | BMW | I4 | 37 |
6 | Hyundai | IONIQ 5 | 37 |
7 | Kia | EV6 | 41 |
8 | VW | ID. 4 | 60 |
Once again, Tesla has topped the list with around a 14 week lead time for the new Tesla Model Y, an impressive vehicle which is likely to be a top-seller in 2022. Prices start from £54,990 for this midsize, all-electric SUV.
The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer follows with a wait of 15 weeks for a diesel model, however, a petrol version will likely be another four weeks. Prices start from £30,265 for this luxury vehicle with hybrid options available.
In third place, we have a jump to 22 weeks for the Renault Arkana, a striking hybrid SUV which starts from £26,395.
The Volkswagen ID. 4 is at the bottom of the list with an estimated wait time of 60 weeks. If you’re keen to get your hands on the all-electric vehicle with a range of 320 miles, it’s probably best to place an order now if you want it by next summer.
How can you avoid waiting for a new car?
Now you know the estimated wait times for new vehicles, why not try the below tips to help you avoid the long delay.
Place a refundable or no-deposit order
Dealers advise that once you place an order, if someone ahead of you in the queue cancels their purchase, they contact people who’re waiting to see if they want the vehicle. This can help reduce your wait time for your new vehicle.
If you’re not willing to wait the entire time or you plan on ordering more than one vehicle to see which will be delivered first, make sure the order is either fully refundable or doesn’t require a deposit.
Buy a second-hand vehicle
The second-hand car market hasn’t ever been more popular due to the wait for new vehicles and the ongoing cost of living crisis. Buying a car that’s a couple of years old rather than a brand new vehicle can save you a huge amount of money and will likely be readily available.
Lease a car
Some car leasing companies are staying ahead of the backlog by preordering popular vehicles meaning the wait time is much less and some vehicles are even in stock. You can search “in stock” vehicles to see what’s available to avoid the wait.
Keep your current motor
This may seem like an obvious point but if you don’t have a need to buy a new car, why not wait? The chip shortage is expected to last until at least 2024 but improve by 2023 so waiting for a new car will hopefully give the motor industry time to get on top of the car backlog. It also means you can access the latest vehicle rather than a car that’s potentially not top of the line when you get it.