WLTP officially came into force from September 2017, where any new types of cars which were introduced to the market, needed to consider WLTP standards.
From September 2018, ALL new car registrations must adhere to the WLTP standards however, some exceptions will apply for “end of series” vehicles, which can be sold under the old testing regulations until September 2019.
The new standards are going to be more thorough than the period NEDC testing standards, with more time, speeds, distances, gearshifts and additional equipment all being taken into account for calculating a vehicle’s performance. By having a more realistic testing process, we will see more realistic emission and fuel performance statistics (i.e. these are going to increase).
The issue with the new testing process, is that this is causing delays with new “MY19” vehicles.
It is also affecting vehicles, which are currently in production. Our advice is fairly clear to customers, in that if time is of the essence then you need to procure a vehicle which has already been built and which can be registered on or before 31 August 2018.
Many factory orders are now changing from “weeks” to “months”, leaving many customers without any real idea as to exactly when they can expect a vehicle to materialise.
For some customers an original April/May delivery date may be missed by almost two months.
What can I do if my lease car is delayed? The answer to this is that it very much depends. Many credit brokers and leasing companies will not make delivery a condition of the contract. This means that we are under no obligation to work towards a fixed timescale, unless this is specifically mentioned within the course of conversation between customer and supplier. In cases of delays, the first step is always to ascertain whether or not the manufacturer can assist with the delays. For exceptional delays/issues, some manufacturers will provide a rental vehicle as courtesy car, until the new one arrives as per the transaction. However, a courtesy vehicle is NOT always available and there is no contractual right to have one.
This means that in some cases, the customer must either stay in their current lease vehicle or make their own arrangements until the new vehicle is ready.
Can I cancel if my lease car is delayed? Again, this will depend on the course of the transaction. If it can be argued that delivery was a condition of the contract, then a customer (personal or business) may be able to move away from the transaction without any penalties. However, do review the terms and conditions of the order form. Many companies will add cancellation penalties, either commensurate to the vehicle value or a fixed cost, say £500 plus Vat, for any cancellations. This will always be subject to any cooling off periods prescribed under distance selling regulations (regulated transactions). In contentious situations, suppliers and customers have to work together to resolve the situations, as ultimately the customer needs a vehicle and the supplier will not be paid until they deliver one. Some customers may be inclined to source a vehicle elsewhere, but this can often complicate matters further.
If a customer is significantly dissatisfied, consider raising a complaint with the supplier (they will have a complaints procedure) or liaise with the BVRLA who operate a conciliation service.
