Buying Approved Used car but cannot collect it for X weeks?

[BootieBoot]

Been looking for an Approved Used Jaguar for some weeks as I wanted a particular spec. Found one last weekend at a large dealership and put down a deposit. They have arranged finance which was approved very promptly. The dealership has had the car on the lot for three weeks.

Just spoken to them to arrange a collection date and they can't give me one. The car currently has a private plate which is supposed to go onto retention. The dealership said that they are waiting for the previous owner of the car to sort out the retention cert. So I have to wait whilst that is done and for the generic plate to be fitted, which may be as long as a month or more.

Is this sort of wait reasonable? I though the dealership should offer the car for sale with it's generic plate already fitted. I don't really see why I have to wait for the previous owner of the car and the DVLA to do their paperwork.

I've just looked on the Approved Used website again and seen an almost identical car at another dealership with generic plates which is presumably actually ready to be purchased. Can I stop the purchase of the first car which is NOT ready and retrieve my deposit in order to buy the second car which is ready?

I've bought quite a few approved used cars of a different marque and never had this situation, so I'm a bit bemused.

[GreatGranny]

Give them a call and explain you aren't happy with the open ended delivery date.
Tell them you have seen another car which is available within days.
See what they say.
Maybe suggest a loaner until yours is ready?