Vehicle Sourcing Timeline: How Long Does It Really Take? | GVE London – Blog

Buying a car at a traditional dealership is super easy. You go there, select the car you like best out of their stock, sign the papers, and voila, it is yours. Sourcing one? Now that is a very different story.

If you’re working with car sourcing services, you’ll want to know how long it’ll actually take from “I want it” to “It’s in my garage.” So, let’s break it down.

What is Vehicle Sourcing and How Long Does It Take?

Vehicle sourcing is all about tracking down a specific vehicle, and it is one intense search. It involves locating a car of the right model, make, and trim, and that’s just the basics. Then, you need to confirm its condition, make sure everything about it is legal and there is proper documentation, then haggling over the pricing, and finally, dealing with the logistics of delivery or export. 

If you’re dealing with luxury car sourcing, add a couple of more layers to it. The more specific your desired vehicle is, usually the longer it’ll take to get it. But how long are we talking?

Well, there’s no fixed rule, but here’s what most clients can expect:

1. Standard UK models (used): 1–3 weeks

2. High-spec or rare luxury vehicles: 4–8 weeks

3. International sourcing or luxury car exports: 6–12+ weeks

4. Factory orders: 12–26 weeks (sometimes longer)

If you’re working alongside a supercar showroom like GVE London that already has an established network of providers worldwide, this can speed things up significantly. Some have cars already in transit or even reserved stock you won’t see advertised publicly.

Why Does It Take Time?

Vehicle sourcing will definitely take time, and here are the factors that push the timeline further:

Availability: Not every car is sitting all pretty, ready to ship out. A one-owner, low-mileage car with a specific model year is difficult to find.

Checks: A proper sourcing service won’t just grab the first listing. After all, you want a car that works, not a hunk of metal to store in the garage. They’ll verify mileage, check for accident repair history, run HPI checks, and often arrange independent inspections. That takes time, but it is for your own benefit.

Logistics: The world is more interconnected than ever before, but logistics is still an issue to a great extent. Even after the car is sourced, arranging delivery or export isn’t instant. Transport, customs (for non-UK vehicles), registration paperwork—there’s a queue for each of these steps.

Negotiation: Sourcing specialists will often haggle on your behalf. That back-and-forth, especially with private sellers or overseas dealers, can add days or weeks.

Read Also: Why Sourcing Directly from UK Dealerships Can Save You Thousands

How to Speed It Up

You can’t always control the clock, but a few smart moves help:

Be Clear, but Flexible

If you insist on an exact spec, year, and colour, the search narrows fast. If you’re open on a few points, the process can move quicker.

Work with the Right Team

Look for car sourcing services with a solid track record, wide network, and in-house logistics. Those who know the trade can cut through bottlenecks others can’t.

Have your Finances in Place

Delays often come when buyers haven’t sorted their funding or part-exchange early. If you’re ready to move when the car’s found, there’s less risk of losing it to someone else.

Patience Pays Off

The hardest part of the vehicle sourcing timeline is usually the wait. But it’s also the part where the right decision saves you thousands. Rush it, and you risk ending up with a car that’s been poorly maintained, misdescribed, or overvalued.

Good sourcing isn’t just about speed. It’s about the right car, at the right price, with no hidden surprises.

So, if it takes four weeks instead of two? Worth it.

Final Thoughts

Waiting a few weeks for the right car is worth the wait, especially if it meets all your requirements. Rushing the process means compromising. If you’re looking to source a vehicle, GVE London takes the stress out of the process. Whether it’s a rare spec, a limited edition, or something destined for international delivery, our team handles everything including sourcing, checks, logistics, and paperwork.

With access to a global network and a full supercar showroom, we can often find cars others can’t. And if it takes a little time, we make sure it’s time well spent. Furthermore, being enthusiasts, we not only perform the usual repairs and service but can work on customisation, modifications and detailing as well. To know more, hop on a call with us today!