A SHORTAGE of new cars means buyers must move fast if they are to beat next year’s VAT rise, according to industry analysts CAP.
There is now an unusually long wait for delivery of many new cars after last year’s recession.
That, coupled with a weak euro, led manufacturers to slow down production and focus on supplying other countries.
In some cases, even cars ordered today will not be delivered until after VAT rises to 20% on January 4 next year, adding £375 to the VAT-inclusive price of an £18,000 vehicle.
And the problem isn’t confined to the usual luxury and exotic car sectors, with many mainstream brands now reporting lead times of several months.
According to CAP, a Skoda Superb ordered immediately won’t be delivered until mid-November, while some Volvo and Audi models will not be available until well into 2011.
Volkswagen is seeing lead times of 12-14 weeks when normally a new car can be delivered in around five weeks. Even the Ford Fiesta can’t now be supplied until mid-September.
