Your questions answered: When will I be able to buy a new car?

Waiting lists for popular new cars show no sign of shortening through the first half of 2022 – at least.

Top-sellers like the Toyota RAV4 and Kia Sportage have been in short supply for more than a year. And the new Toyota LandCruiser was a sellout before first local deliveries took place in late 2021, with new orders taking more than a year to fill.

Supplies have been hit by global production delays, caused by the worldwide shortage of computer microchips and labour and supply chain interruptions as a result of COVID-19.

Meanwhile on the demand side, new-car customers have returned to pre-COVID levels as travel restrictions and other factors make more people think about spending on a new car and hitting the road for a holiday at home.

Right now, many brands find it impossible to quote exact delivery times and the waiting lists stretch beyond six months for the most popular models. How long do we expect this to be the case? The answer is not a simple as it seems…

Question: I am looking at a BMW X1 sDrive20i and have read online that the 2023 version should start production mid-year. Should I wait for the new model? – Adam

Answer: It really depends on when you want or need a car, as new car supply is generally problematic. In addition, the ‘content’ within a car like the X1 means companies including BMW have been actively tweaking standard equipment levels to maintain new-car stocks.

Unless you are buying a car from stock you may struggle to get clarity on the delivery date, but push the dealer for exact timings on the 2022 and 2023 models to help you decide.

Question: My father-in-law purchased a Kia Sorento GT last December. He has contacted the dealership who tell him it still isn't booked on the production line. He is in his 80s and would appreciate some sort of timeframe. It's hard to believe that 12 months later they still aren’t getting any cars delivered. – Rohan

Answer: We checked with Kia Australia and his car is now on the production schedule, but still without a firm delivery date. Kia has been hit hard by production delays and the delays are worse for fully-loaded versions like the GT, because they require more computer chips for all their ‘fruit’.

Question: We have a query about a Mazda3 that was ordered last June (2021) for my 80-year-old mother. The due date was September (2021) but after three months we were told that due to COVID and the chips etc, it may be before Christmas.

Then I called mid-January to be told that Mazda has a January manufacture slot but no dates – so I’m unable to confirm when the car is arriving. I went to speak with the dealership and was told they have next model with accessories – $2000 extra – which has been confirmed end of March. I am not sure if they are trying to push for the upgrade as they can make extra dollars. – Kathryn

Answer: In many cases it’s been impossible to predict exact delivery times until cars are physically in Australia. That said, trying to upsell you definitely seems a tactic by this dealer, as how can he confirm one car in March and not another? We’d suggest you contact Mazda Australia directly via its customer care department and ask the question.

Question: I purchased a black Kia Sorento GT in July last year and I’m and still waiting. The estimated delivery was this month [Jan 2022] but I still haven’t heard a peep out of Kia to inform me when the SUV will arrive. What happens to informing the customer? What’s a good alternative? – Bill

Answer: We have contacted Kia on a number of occasions with similar issues. In your case it’s now predicting a handover in March. As for rivals, the Hyundai Santa Fe is effectively the same under the skin – but also subject to shortages – and you should also look at the Skoda Kodiaq and Toyota Kluger. Our picks for the best in the family SUV class are covered here.

Question: I’d like to try a plug-in hybrid vehicle. I live and work in the Yarra Valley (Vic) and do around 25,000km per year, often transporting my disability clients to appointments. I’m currently driving a 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross LS and really do love the car. Is a plug-in hybrid only good in stop/start traffic and will one be value for money? – Name withheld

Answer: In very simple terms, if you’re travelling mostly at speeds above 80km/h then any hybrid, and even a plug-in with a fairly limited electric range of 70km will probably not deliver significant savings.

PHEVs are great for short trips in the city and suburbs when they can run largely on battery power, and keeping them charged (especially via solar power) will bring significant cost savings. At highway speeds they essentially revert to petrol power.

Question: My daughter has a 2016 Mazda CX-3 in which the right-hand rear seatbelt will not retract. The rear seats are never used as she has no children but I believe this is a known problem. However, there is no recall in place for the replacement of these seatbelts as far as I am aware.

I believe some people have had their seatbelts replaced by Mazda as a goodwill gesture and the fact that this problem is a safety issue. Our vehicle is out of warranty but could you please advise the best way to proceed? – Michael

Answer: You are not the first person to report this problem and Mazda has replaced belts for two of our readers without any cost. It should be done immediately as it’s a safety problem. Contact Mazda Australia directly to resolve it.

Question: Just trying to find out about the Toyota Prado V6 twin-turbo. There is talk of the new model coming out late August 2022 or August 2023. Toyota Australia denies any knowledge, so is there anything further you could tell me regards to potential release date? – Nicole Lowns

Answer: Toyota is being quite secretive on plans for its next-generation Prado, which will share many components with the new LandCruiser – potentially including its new twin-turbo diesel V6. As we reported here, there won’t be an all-new Prado until about 2024, but there will be minor ‘tech update’ within the next 12 months or so.

Question: We have a $45,000 insurance pay-out to buy a car. I currently have a 2009 Volkswagen Touareg which my husband will drive and eventually will pass on to our kids. My husband very keen to buy a new 2021 Touareg but I think it’s too expensive at $106,000. – Jane

Answer: The Touareg isn’t cheap. But when you consider it shares most of its basic engineering with equivalent SUVs from Porsche, Audi, Bentley and even Lamborghini, it’s actually pretty good value. I like it and reckon it’s a great pick.

Question: I am looking at purchasing a new large SUV, either Mercedes, BMW or Audi. I enquired to the companies about purchasing a petrol model, however, consistently they tell me the biggest selling model in Australia is still the diesel and the petrol model is a special-order vehicle.

Given that Europe is turning away from diesel, are the car companies using Australia to sell their diesel stock that they are unable to move in Europe? I don’t want to purchase an expensive car that will have no resale value in five years. – Hugh

Answer: Diesel is popular in Australia because so many people use giant SUVs for towing and trekking. The torque is strong and the fuel range long. But diesel demand is falling rapidly in Europe and there will eventually be a knock-on effect here.

Also, petrol-powered large SUVs are an early target for electrification – whether that be via basic hybrid or PHEV versions. Your choice should depend on the usage you are planning as the difference in resale in five or so years will be marginal, all things considered.

Question: I was wondering if car companies are doing anything about extending the three-year extended warranty since no-one could travel anywhere during our various state lockdowns? – Gail

Answer: Most companies have given some leeway, at least on servicing times, but there is no blanket answer because the lockdowns and restrictions have varied so widely. It seems to be on a case-by-case basis.

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