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In Stock Lease Vs. Factory Order

Posted by: VIP Gateway, 6th Nov 2023

In Stock lease vs. Factory Order

Thinking of leasing a car and want to understand your options? One of the big questions you need to answer is whether in stock leasing or factory order leasing is the best choice for you. At VIP Gateway, we want to help you answer this question.

Having the information you need allows you to get the best value from our car lease deals and ensures you get the car lease that’s the best fit for you. Reading our guide gives you this vital information. You’ll discover the difference between in stock and factory order leasing, what to expect from both, and the pros and cons of each option.

What is in stock car leasing?

As you might guess from the name, in stock lease cars are already part of stock and available to lease. They will normally be with a dealership, in a compound, or at the port. You can find an excellent selection of in stock car lease deals in our catalogue of lease vehicles.

If you find a lease option you like, you can start the leasing process by clicking the green “enquire now” button. The process then follows a few simple steps:

Your order is received.
We complete the required finance checks and paperwork.
You sign your lease agreement.
Your lease vehicle is delivered to your door within an agreed timeframe.

In many cases, in stock cars are pre-registered. This means the clock is already ticking on the warranty and the MOT. However, these are still brand-new cars, and they only have delivery mileage. So, contrary to what you might have heard, you won’t get a car that’s been used before.

How long do in stock cars take?

Because these cars are already available, delivery lead-in times are normally short. This means that once you’ve signed your lease agreement, you can normally expect delivery in 2-4 weeks. If the delivery period is likely to be longer than this for any reason, you’ll be informed.

The fact that in stock cars are already available makes delays less likely. However, there may occasionally be an issue that causes the delivery period to be extended. If this happens, you’ll be kept informed at all times.

What does factory order mean on a lease?

Unlike in stock vehicles, factory order cars are not already available. These cars have yet to be manufactured. So, you can order a vehicle that meets your exact requirements. This means that the factory order lease process is more comprehensive.

There are several steps involved in the process, including the same finance checks and paperwork as for an in-stock vehicle and,

You place an order for a vehicle that includes your choice of engine, colour, trim, and additional options.
The order joins a queue waiting for a build date.
A build week is scheduled.
The vehicle is built and dispatched from the factory.
The car arrives at the dealership.
The car is delivered to you.

How long do factory order cars take?

You can see that the process for ordering, building, and delivering a factory order lease car is lengthy. So, as you can imagine, the lead-in time for delivery is considerably longer than for in stock cars. Times also vary greatly, depending on various factors, such as,

Model of vehicle
Manufacturer
Build allocation slot
Customer demand

You can normally expect the build of a factory order car to take from four weeks to four months after you place the order. Building a prestige vehicle may take longer.

Given the nature of the build process, there may be some delays. If this happens, you’ll be notified of any changes to timeframes.

In stock lease vs. factory order pros and cons

Having explained what to expect from in stock and factory order leases, we’ll take you through the advantages and disadvantages of both options. These pros and cons are listed in the table below. Reading each one will help you to make an informed decision about which leasing option is best for you.

	In Stock Lease	Factory Order Lease
Pros	Delivery lead-in times are shorter	You have more choice
	Planning is easier with shorter time frames	You decide the exact specifications of the vehicle
	Delays are less likely	The car is exactly how you want it, as there aren’t the same compromises you may find with an in stock vehicle
	You’re more likely to get a deal on an in stock car

Cons	You may not get every specification you want	The delivery lead-in time is considerably longer
	Delays are not as likely, but they are possible	Delays are more likely to happen
		Planning for delivery of a vehicle when it’s so far in the future and uncertain can be difficult

The verdict

In stock leasing is a good option if you aren’t concerned about having complete control over the design of your lease vehicle. It’s also worth mentioning that our in stock deals cover a range of models and trims, so you do get a good selection of options to choose from. This type of lease is also likely to be the best option if you want to take delivery of a vehicle quickly, as lead-in times are normally 2-4 weeks.

If you want to have full control over the design of your lease vehicle, factory order leasing is probably your best option. You can choose aspects such as colour, trim, engine, and additions according to what you want. If you opt for a factory order lease, prepare well in advance because it will take several weeks for the car to be built and delivered.

Overall, the choice between in stock and factory order leasing is always going to be a personal one. Your decision will be based on your own circumstances. The information in this article should help you with this. We’d also recommend that you read our post “The 5 Must Knows Before Leasing a Car,” which gives you more advice about leasing.

If you need more help, we’re always happy to answer your questions. You can call us on 0161 814 9623 or send an email to hello@vipgateway.co.uk.