New Car Delivery Times in Australia

They say that good things come to those that wait, though the process of actually waiting for your new car to be delivered can be an incredibly frustrating time.

As the world’s manufacturing scene recovers from a global shutdown and supply chain shortages, thankfully, new car delivery times have fast-tracked from our last report, though some manufacturers are struggling to keep up with demand.

Let’s take a closer look at just how long you can expect to wait for your new car to be delivered here in Australia, and toss up some of the manufacturers with the shortest waiting times.

What is the Average New Car Delivery Timeframe in Australia? 

According to the latest dataset from May, 2023, the average new car delivery timeframe here in Australia stands at 109 days; the equivalent of three-and-a-half months.

For reference, average new car delivery wait times have dropped considerably from their peak in August, 2022, where the average wait time was around 159 days, or just over five months, which has been on a downward trajectory since.

List of Popular Car Brand Delivery Times in Australia in 2023

Using the same dataset, we’re able to track how delivery timelines are panning out between manufacturers here in Australia in 2023.

• Audi - 58 days
• BMW - 114 days
• Ford - 193 days
• GWM - 26 days
• Hyundai - 85 days
• Isuzu - 158 days
• Jeep - 28 days
• Kia - 124 days
• LDV - 26 days
• MG - 42 days
• Mazda - 54 days
• Mercedes-Benz - 90 days
• Mitsubishi - 116 days
• Nissan - 84 days
• RAM - 22 days
• Skoda - 53 days
• Subaru - 78 days
• Suzuki - 180 days
• Toyota - 214 days
• Volkswagen - 107 days
• Volvo - 34 days

Which Car Models Have the Longest Wait Times in Australia?

Currently, Toyota’s vehicles have some of the longest wait times here, due to their popularity and a limited supply arriving to Australian shores, which has caused long delays across most of its range.

In May, 2023, the Toyota LandCruiser - which includes the Prado and 300 Series - has the longest wait time for a model here in Australia, averaging at 277 days, followed by the Toyota Kluger, Toyota Corolla, Toyota C-HR and the Isuzu MU-X.

• Toyota LandCruiser - 277 days
• Toyota Kluger - 270 days
• Toyota Corolla - 261 days
• Toyota C-HR - 257 days
• Isuzu MU-X - 236 days
• Ford Everest - 229 days
• Toyota RAV4 - 229 days
• Toyota HiLux - 226 days

Which Models Have the Shortest Wait Times in Australia?

Looking on the opposite end of the spectrum, there are a number of popular models that Aussie buyers can step into within a matter of weeks, if not straightaway at the dealership as new stock arrives; these models include:

• MG HS - 11 days
• Suzuki Swift - 14 days
• Volvo XC60 - 14 days
• Jeep Wrangler - 14 days
• LDV T60 - 20 days
• MG ZST - 21 days
• Mazda CX-9 - 25 days
• LDV D90 - 28 days

Which Australian States Have the Shortest Wait Times?

Tasmania has taken the honour of Australia’s shortest wait times for new models from last year’s winner, the ACT, with an average wait time of 38 days; the list goes as follows.

• Tasmania - 38 days
• Australian Capital Territory - 79 days
• Victoria - 98 days
• South Australia - 114 days
• New South Wales - 132 days
• Queensland - 141 days
• Western Australia - 142 days

How Long Does it Take to Get a New Car Delivered in Australia?

As we can see, the matter of just how long it will take for your next car to be delivered depends largely on the make and model, with Australia’s most popular vehicles being matched with extensive wait lists that can extend out to six-to-eight months, and in some cases close to a year.

How Long Does it take For a New Car to Clear Customs?

The timeframe for clearing customs, unfortunately, depends on a number of factors largely out of the control of the manufacturer.

In the best case, your car will clear customs within a day or two of arriving at an Australian port, while it can take days, if not weeks at some of Australia’s busier ports like Sydney and Melbourne due to the limited resources on hand.

Why are Cars Taking so Long to Arrive in Australia?

In short, waitlists for new cars have ballooned because of two factors: supply has decreased, in the wake of Covid-related shutdowns and supply shortages, while demand has either remained in place or even increased for certain cars.

The end result of this increased demand and reduced supply is the reason why cars are taking so long to arrive in Australia, which is compounded by the fact that manufacturers often send vehicles to other, more lucrative markets before allocating vehicles for Australian buyers.

Request a Quote

If you’re looking to move into the car of your dreams and skip the waitlist in the process, reach out to one of our car-buying specialists who can help at every stage of the buying process and gain access to limited stock of popular models.