[radiocaf]

Hi guys,

Next month I should be taking delivery of my MCD (F55), it'll be my first ever brand new car, and my first ever MINI. Needless to say, my excitement is fever-pitch.

Anyway, I saw a thread about people finding problems with paintwork and body elements when accepting delivery, but it wasn't clear whether their cars were straight from the factory or off the lot. Either way, what do I look for when it comes to my handover and I have to sign to say I'm happy with my MINI?

I'd always assumed that it would be flawless, especially as mine is coming straight from the factory, and only travelling 80-ish miles to get to me, but I'd like to hear what you suggest I look for/at, and what problems, if any, you guys found and had to have corrected.

Thanks for any feedback!

 

[Hat]

Firstly, try to contain your excitement just for a little while...

Have the dealer go through all your options to make sure they are all present and correct. Its unusual but not unheard of for the wrong items to end up on a car or be missing completely.
Basically then just have a good look over it, inside and out. Dont be shy taking time over this, better to highlight anything before you've driven off than have to come back later. Ask to see it outside in normal daylight as well as under the showroom lighting. ask/ point out anything you're not sure about - its your car and your money. You are entitled to expect it to be flawless. We got them to re-print the number plates as they were faded on some of the characters

Likely issues might be light scratch marks in the paint caused by the dealers valeting dept. if they exist and youre not happy, tell them.

Other than this ive not heard of any specific delivery issues. Also dont worry if you find something when you do get home. Give them a call, most if not all dealers will be on your side if its something clearly wrong with the car.


Also dont expect them to go through every single feature on the car. It would take all day and you wouldn't remember half of it anyway. They should go through key features, some will offer to pair your phone to the car if you have bluetooth specced

 

[tandberg]

As above for sure
My dealer was getting me to sign the paperwork and when i came to one i asked is this one to say the cars is all as i expected and he said yes, so i said before i sign i want to give the car a thorough check for parts ordered and to make sure no scratches and such. So out i went and spent a good while looking outside and inside for any things that they may have not wanted me to see.

I did not want to sit there for ages with them going through everything as i wanted to have that experience myself and that's what makes the fun part for me,discovering new things.

All in all it was a fun experience,but more fun driving away!

Just take onboard the above comment from hat and enjoy the day PS it s only 80 ish miles away but a lot can happen in that 80 ish miles so do check and dont sign until your happy with the spec,condition as it should be in tip top condition as your paying out a lot of brass

 

[JPRI]

Ditto on above. Arrive early morning and check it over real good in the sunlight. I found the lighting inside the dealership too reflective. Bring a second set of eyes too. I recently posted the issues I had with damage on delivery, and they found me another.

 

[radiocaf]

Wow, what an awesome response. Thank you everyone. I shall be going with my other half, and I think my brother (also getting a new car (a Corsa), and wants to see what to expect) and his girlfriend (loves Mini Coopers) want to come too, so eyes won't be a problem.

I'll take a good amount of time checking the car over to be sure, both outside and inside it, to be sure. Would you guys worry about swirl marks from the valeting?

Hat, I'll be sure to check for everything I ordered. I'll take my order form and use it as a checklist.

Ditto on above. Arrive early morning and check it over real good in the sunlight. I found the lighting inside the dealership too reflective. Bring a second set of eyes too. I recently posted the issues I had with damage on delivery, and they found me another.

Haha, it was your thread that brought me to make this thread. And yeah, sunlight, us in the UK only get that as long as Jupiter aligns with Saturn, which needs to be lying at a 33 degree angle whilst eclipsing the sun. But I'll try and find somewhere not too cloudy

 

[tandberg]

Wow, what an awesome response. Thank you everyone. I shall be going with my other half, and I think my brother (also getting a new car (a Corsa), and wants to see what to expect) and his girlfriend (loves Mini Coopers) want to come too, so eyes won't be a problem.

I'll take a good amount of time checking the car over to be sure, both outside and inside it, to be sure. Would you guys worry about swirl marks from the valeting?

Hat, I'll be sure to check for everything I ordered. I'll take my order form and use it as a checklist.



Haha, it was your thread that brought me to make this thread. And yeah, sunlight, us in the UK only get that as long as Jupiter aligns with Saturn, which needs to be lying at a 33 degree angle whilst eclipsing the sun. But I'll try and find somewhere not too cloudy

Mine had NO swirls marks,so i dont see why yours should have. When you paying out for any car they should be spotless inside and out.

 

[Blat7Chris]

Over the year I have had many new cars. Some have been damaged some have been perfect. Damage comes out of the dealers pocket, because then will have signed it as damage free when it's delivered to them.

My check list is as follows, and take you time ;-)

Check the panels for dents scratches and if you have a dark paint swirls. You should take a very bright torch with you. A good LED will show swirls (if that sort of thing bothers you)

Check under the front bumper, to see if it's been damaged coming off the transported, it's a great place for scratches to hide.

Check the wheels, can't tell you how many VWs that have had paint imperfections in the wheels. One Audi had corrosion, on the wheel centres, (it needed another 3 sets) during the time I owned it. Run your fingers down each spoke, sometimes you feel it before you see it.

Check all interior trims are not scratched, including the boot. My last car had a scratched handle on the boot floor under a load liner. Also check under the mats.

If you want to take it to the extreme do the same under the bonnet. Does a scratch on the engine trim bother you?

Finally be realistic, I once had a small stone chip on the bumper (very small), I wouldn't want the dealer painting the bumper for this, when I could touch it up, and it could get worse damage driving it home,.

 

[radiocaf]

I don't know how I feel about swirl marks, I kinda don't want them but I don't know if they'll bother me. I do have a dark paint, I went for British Racing Green. I will definitely check the wheels and the inside trims. I can't see anywhere where the boot could be scratched inside, but I'll have a look when I get it.

Engine wouldn't bother me if it's a light or small scratch. I'll never really see it anyway and it's not like I'm going to be taking this car to meets or what not. I'm not that social.

I think the only thing that would bother me is a scratch in the paint or a dent on a panel.