Basic question on registering new 172 car

TLF

I know on other forums, this would count as a 'stealth boast' but I'm the v fortunate position of buying a new car - buying a display model and did the deal last weekend with a main dealer with the intention of picking it up as a 172 reg.

However, he's telling me I can't collect it on Saturday (1st July) and it needs to wait until Monday at least, as he can't register it with Motor Tax on a Saturday. Is that correct?

I'm suspicious by nature anyway but I've never been through this before at the start of a new registration period, so wasn't sure how it would work. I suppose I assumed it could get pre-registered somehow, or that it would all be computerised and that the day of the week wouldn't matter.

Does anyone know for sure if it has to be the first 'weekday' before it can get registered?

R.O.R

Registrations are done via an on-line system so they can be registered on a Saturday, but it sounds like the dealer is under promising so they may be able to over deliver.

The on-line system has a tendancy to fall over at the start of the busy registration periods, due to sheer demand as everyone is logging on and trying to reg at the same time.

It's happened a good few times in the past on the first working day of January & July, but these have been normal working days (Mon-Fri) - from memory this is the first time the 1st day of registering has fallen on a Saturday. When it's happened previous times it's been off line couple of hours while someone in IT in whichever Government department goes and fixes it, but it's unlikely anyone will be in IT in the Government as it's the weekend, so if it crashes it's probably going to stay down, and that's what all dealers are worried about.

Better to promise delivery on Monday and deliver on Monday rather than make arrangements to go out on Saturday and be stymied by not being able to register the vehicle, so not being able to put plates on it, and therefore it can't go on the road.

ShadowHearth

As above. I bought my one on saturday too and they sorted out plates in 30min. Then again it was deadest time of the year.
So as said above. Dealer is doing very sensible thing and trying not to disappoint you.

Comhrá

However, he's telling me I can't collect it on Saturday (1st July) and it needs to wait until Monday at least, as he can't register it with Motor Tax on a Saturday. Is that correct?

A neighbour of mine is getting a new Focus and was told exactly the same as yourself........he can't collect it on Sat. and has to wait till Monday.

colm_mcm

They just don't want to be up the walls on a Saturday. To do a proper handover takes time. Also they won't want to be tipping up their ROS account with hundreds if thousands before they get money in from the first batch of collections.

js35

I was also told the same thing ordered a 172 and won't be able to pick it up until Monday

TLF

Thanks everyone - much appreciated and good to know - although I'll probably be a bit jealous if I do see any 172's over the weekend .

Salesman is actually pushing it a bit now, because he's saying I can pick it up after Monday, so'll we have to negotiate the specifics. I'm happy enough with the deal, but starting to wish I'd been pounced on by someone else in the showroom...:rolleyes:. But ultimate first world problem I know.

Anyway, well wear to all of you picking up new cars next week! Thanks again.

Arthur Daley

Dealers will want to push it out beyond Monday to mid week if they can at all. Eases pressure this time of year. But punters naturally eager to get into their new motors.