I think theres a limit to how long a car can stay unregistered once it hits UK soil. Ive just been confirmed build week 1. Not sure what this equates to with delivery but the dealer sounded quite confident that it wouldn't be long enough to have the 2010 reg. I would prefer the 2010 reg I must admit!
Bizzarly there is no limit some Rovers sat around for a few years before being registered. Was it a Mastero that sat for 10 years before being registered? A dealer will always hold a car for a reg change unless your deal dictated otherwise.
The last car we ordered was a 118d SE with a few special offer options (adaptive Xenons £320, Cruise F/R PDC, extra storgae £200, 17" Alloys sports seats and M SPort suspension £320!! ). we ordered it in May was delivered to the dealer eary August and we picked it up the first week of September again at out request.
The reason for going for the newer registration for us is residual by waiting a couple of weeks the car will be worth £250-£300 more. Just said I wanted March delivery at the point of order.