The car arrives covered in wax, with plastic "fallout" sheet stuck to the roof and bonnet and possibly also plastic covers over the wheels. It'll have foam door guards and tape across the door jambs to deter anyone opening a door and nicking something.
It'll have import/specification and routing (e.g. Jason - UK)
stickers on the windscreen and probably a lot of writing in yellow or purple wax crayon to tell the delivery drivers where/when/how to load it on the transporter.
The documentation is on the passenger seat or in the glove box and everything else is in the boot. The drivers seat will have a plastic sheet on it. So might the sills.
But, the dealer is charging you for PDI (Pre-Delivery/Inspection).
They'll remove all the wax crayon and
stickers and all the plastic sheeting... then they'll hot jet wash the car to get the wax off. If you have alloy wheels they will fit 4 locking wheel bolts and leave the bolts they replaced in the box, with the key, in the glovebox.
The dealer will provide number plates with the number they assign when they register it. Check with the dealer what numbers they have. They'll have a batch (e.g. AB19 ABC to AB19 RST). If your initials are "RST" then you could ask for that one... otherwise you get whatever is the next available number.
The dealer will tax it, make sure it all works (nothing missing or hanging off) and stick some petrol in it.
Before you collect (i.e. when you ask what reg numbers they have and can you have "RST") you'll need to ask them the registration number so you can insure it. Bring some cash so you can buy petrol (saves running out on the way home, depending how stingy your dealer is).
Make sure they give you a proper handover... such as how everything works (particularly the fuel flap) so you're not fumbling with it trying to work out how to work the windscreen washers when you should be driving. Loads of people shunt their new car on the way home from the dealer. You don't need to memorise how the infotainment system works.. apart from "does it work".. leave that till you get home.
Apart from they "PDI'd" it.. check everything for yourself, particularly all the paint... make sure there are no chips or dents. Make sure all the stuff you ordered is there (e.g. did you order red mirror covers) and that the boot contents (wheel, jack and tools or whatever should be in there) are all on board. Check that you have all the paperwork (bill of sale, service book, handbook, warranty cards,
radio code... whatever).
The registration document itself will come from the DVLA once the dealer has sent it off. Check the details are correct when that arrives (reg no, model type, engine and chassis number etc. The engine and chassis number are written on the engine and chassis). There's a good chance that the engine will have its "birth certificate".. usually a big sticker with barcodes on it, stuck to the cam-cover. It'll have the engine number and the date when it was made. It'll fall off eventually.. but it's handy to note the engine's details (take a photo) for later on.
But you shouldn't have any trouble or disappointment. The dealer is touching you for £80-100 for the PDI.. and for the most part, they get it completely right.
Ralf S.
