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Current Lead Times?
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 12:34 am
by Lyc
Hi guys,
Ordered a new Polo R-line about two weeks ago, currently sat in the tracker as 'With the factory'
When buying was told they couldn't tell me the current lead times as they didn't know, but after placing the order, dealer contacted VW and was told it's 22 weeks, which was a bit of a shock...
Then, I read on here that the factory in SA is closed for two months, and there's people posting who have been waiting since January with no confirmed BW yet, so assumption is there's going to be a massive backlog which might push things back even further?
Seen someone else on here talking about a 35 week wait which would mean I wouldn't get the car until April next year
Bit alarmed to be honest and wondering if I should cancel, though I suppose that means I lose my deposit
Does anyone actually know what the current situation is RE the plant closure, when they're going to re-open and what sort of timeline I'm realistically looking at?
Re: Current Lead Times?
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 7:14 am
by Leif
If they told you 22 weeks then legally I suspect you have cause for a return of your deposit if cancelling. But in practice it might not be easy. If you do want to cancel, maybe best to politely discuss with them, explain the reasons and ask for your deposit back, and then go from there.
Lovely car though mine has very unreliable electrics.
Re: Current Lead Times?
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 8:19 am
by Robint
Hi I was quoted 38 week for a GTI. Which I thought was ridiculous
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Re: Current Lead Times?
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 2:19 pm
by paulrodgers7
I ordered mine on the 4th June and was quoted a 40 week lead time, now just the 32 weeks to go

Re: Current Lead Times?
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 3:06 pm
by silverhairs
Now I expect every VW dealer has the same "VEHICLE ORDER FORM", if they do they have a legal get out clause, because if you look under "DELIVERY DETAILS" they have got (well it's on mine) Estimated Date, on mine it's 29/11/2018. I've have a email from the sales guy telling me my build week will be week 35. So my week 48 that they first quoted seems a little dubious, if there's about 8 weeks shipping.
But the best of luck with your Polo.
"Paulrogers7", If you ordered on the 4th June and they gave you 40 weeks, you should be expecting it by my reckoning about 11th March 2019. with a bit of luck you'll have a 19 plate
Looking through the post on this subject, "Lyc" If you've ordered a Polo R line with no added extra's, 22 weeks could be feasible, but if no extra's there must be a Polo R line just sitting in a dealers compound somewhere?
Re: Current Lead Times?
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 3:22 pm
by SRGTD
I doubt any dealer would be able to give anything other than an estimated lead time / delivery date at time of ordering as there are so many variables outside the dealer’s control. That’s why the delivery date the dealer inserts on the order form (and reference to delivery date in the T’s & C’s on the order form) will be referred to as ’estimated’.
@Lyc as to whether or not you’ll lose your deposit if you cancel; the position regarding the return or non-return of any deposit paid in the event of you, the customer, cancelling the order should be outlined in the T’s & C’s on your order form.
Re: Current Lead Times?
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 3:47 pm
by Robint
I’ve got to say guys you have patience but having drove one for two weeks they are great
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Re: Current Lead Times?
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 5:11 pm
by johnpolo2
Not looking good for many of us, whatever the model ordered.
http://budget-accommodation-port-elizab ... age-plant/
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Re: Current Lead Times?
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 5:52 pm
by Cadwest
I searched for more info and came across this but dated 2010 which appears to be the same article.
https://mg.co.za/article/2010-09-01-vw- ... ike-starts
Re: Current Lead Times?
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 6:01 pm
by johnpolo2
well played sherlock.
I looked for a date but my feed said 2 day old story . Fake news.
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Re: Current Lead Times?
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 11:16 pm
by Lyc
Thanks for the input everyone.
I don't actually have an order form, though I suspect I should and might have to take it up with the dealer - I bought through Carwow and the only thing I've been asked for is the £500 deposit to secure the order.
Also didn't get a receipt or anything like that, which I've just learned I should've insisted on
It sounds like my estimate is actually on the short side though from what others have said... guess I'll suck it up and wait
For the record, I did spec in some extras (actually went a bit overboard) - I think I added everything apart from the smoker pack, panoramic sunroof, dual zone climate control and blind spot assistance.

Re: Current Lead Times?
Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2018 1:26 am
by Lyc
Anyone else noticed that the VW Configurator no longer gives you the option to build a Polo?
Maybe trying to stem the volume of orders while they catch up or a sign of something bigger?
Re: Current Lead Times?
Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2018 8:35 am
by SRGTD
Lyc wrote: Tue Jul 31, 2018 1:26 am
Anyone else noticed that the VW Configurator no longer gives you the option to build a Polo?
Maybe trying to stem the volume of orders while they catch up or a sign of something bigger?
May have been a temporary ‘hiccup’, or perhaps VW took it offline during a quiet period (early hours of the morning) to make some changes. It seems to be working fine now. The only model of Polo not on the configuator is the GTI+, but that model has been missing for quite a few weeks now. You can still order one though.
Re: Current Lead Times?
Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2018 8:51 am
by SRGTD
Lead times on the Golf GTI are currently being discussed over on golfgtiforum.co.uk.
Currently, the time from order to delivery is officially 17 weeks (info from a forum member who’s in sales at a large VW dealership), or 21 weeks if a dealer has used up their build slot allocation so has to delay ordering until the following month.
So quite a difference in lead times between the Golf GTI and Polo GTI; Robint has been quoted 38 weeks and paulrogers7 was quoted 40 weeks last month on a new Polo GTI(+).
Re: Current Lead Times?
Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2018 11:11 am
by paulrodgers7
The factory closure of 8 or so weeks plus the shipping from South Africa would significantly impact the lead time, I’m happy enough to wait, my current finance deal doesn’t run out until the end of November so gives me a little more time to gather up the dosh lol
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