[JG.26]

I think if you can then delay the pick up date by a day or two and go and inspect the car first. If you do that and spot a problem before handing the monies over it will make life alot easier in the long run. A good dealer should accept a bankers draft or building society cheque on the day of collection without you having to wait for the cheque to clear.

I recently collected my Corsa VXR. Originally I would have had to wait 12 weeks for delivery from the factory but my dealer found an unregistered car in Vauxhalls stock with the spec I wanted at a dealer 200 miles away so I said I would have this one and save the wait. The car was driven up to my local dealer which is quite normal in the trade when ferrying cars around. Car arrived on the Friday and inspected it over the weekend, all perfect and fine. Collected the car on Monday afternoon after the PDI and stupidly as it was parked around the back I didn't inspect it but did the paperwork and handed the cheque over. Car was brought round to the front of the dealers and noticed the lower spoiler was cracked, ie it must have been kerbed during the PDI. It was definitely not damaged the previous Saturday. I wanted to reject the car there and then but it made things very awkward as the dealer wanted me to accept the car and bring it back later in the week to be repaired, they had my monies. It was only me blowing steam in the showroom and refusing to leave that they agreed to swap the spolier from another showroom model there and then. Moral of the story is DO NOT hand any money over until you have inspected the car thoroughly and do not be fobbed off by the dealer if there are probs at pick up time.

Also I'm unsure of your legal rights if you make payment and sign the paperwork off the garage premisses, I'm sure your rights aren't as great.