The community checklist: What our drivers look for on delivery day

1. Hunt down the charging cables

If you are picking up an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid, this is step one. Depending on the manufacturer and the specific deal you signed, your car should come with a portable trickle charger (to plug into a standard wall socket) or a Type 2 cable (for public AC chargers).

Because these cables are often stored in the boot, the 'frunk' (front boot), or hidden in sub-floor compartments, they can easily be overlooked by the dealership during detailing. Ask your handover specialist to physically show you where the cables are.

2. Double-check your financed accessories

One of the biggest perks of a novated lease is that you can bundle the cost of accessories—like window tinting, roof racks, tow bars, floor mats, and dash cams—into your pre-tax finance.

Because some of these items are installed at the dealership level rather than at the factory, they can occasionally be missed. Before you sign the final handover paperwork, cross-reference your car against your lease agreement. Are the floor mats the premium ones you ordered? Is the dash cam hardwired in? It is much easier to get this sorted while you are standing on the showroom floor.

3. Sync your smartphone app

Modern cars, particularly EVs like Teslas, BYDs, and Zeekrs, are basically smartphones on wheels. A huge amount of the car's functionality, from locking the doors to pre-conditioning the air conditioning and monitoring charge levels, is controlled via the manufacturer's mobile app.

Don't leave the dealership without ensuring your phone is successfully paired to the car's system and your primary user profile is set up. The dealership staff do this multiple times a day and can troubleshoot any pairing glitches in minutes, saving you a frustrating evening on Google when you get home.

4. Verify the registration details

It sounds simple, but administrative errors happen. Take a quick look at the registration paperwork and the physical number plates on the car. Ensure the registration details match exactly what is on your novated lease documentation. This ensures your fuel or charge cards, insurance, and toll tags will all link up perfectly from day one without any administrative headaches.

5. Do the daylight walkaround

Dealership handover bays are often in dimly lit areas or undercover garages. Before you drive away, ask to pull the car into natural sunlight. Do a slow lap around the vehicle looking for any transport damage, paint chips, or alloy wheel scrapes. Check the interior for any scuff marks on the seats or door trims.

If you spot anything, don't panic. Just point it out to the dealer immediately so they can document it and book the car in to have it rectified. Once you drive off the lot, it becomes much harder to prove that a scratch didn't happen on your drive home.