This has been discussed multiple times before, and I can't recall anyone actually pulling off the not signing first trick. If you decide to reject your car, are you ok with a) Tesla having your $, and b) rejoining the queue for another car?
What was the issue with your previous car that they stuffed you around with?
I can assure you that it is your right as a consumer to inspect your vehicle before signing. It is a case of knowing your rights and standing your ground.
My vehicle had been damaged on a side panel and filled and repainted. The rim was also damaged and repainted. All this was repaired by a professional spray repair company and it is not unheard of with new vehicle deliveries. They get the odd knock, scrap during transport and many new vehicles are repaired before delivery. Not uncommon. Some major and some minor. I used my iPhone torch and shone it down the side of the vehicle and could see this slight wave/ripple effect from being filled. Then I looked further and noticed the rim had been touched up. At a glance everything looked perfect. Unfortunately, I had already signed, despite asking for the signed contract to be returned to me.
I engaged a repairer for an independent review, who highlighted the extent of the damage. They remarked that the vehicle must have hit a 900mm high bollard during transport, due to their experience and damage.
The eye opener was when he showed me several range rovers and Porsches, which were brand new and yet to be delivered, in his warehouse with panel and paint which needed repairing, prior to delivery to the customer.
Short story I engaged department of fair trading and a lawyer and it took 6 weeks to get a full buy back. I also went through a buy back, when I lived in the USA, but it was so much easier as they have a lemon law, slightly different in each state. All part of the learning experience of life.
After 11 further new car deliveries, I have always demanded to inspect the vehicle first and it has always been granted and rightly so, as it is your right.
Just passing on what I have learnt over the years and I can only stress the importance of inspecting before signing. If it means I rejoin the queue, after receiving a refund then it’s not the end of world. You must be satisfied as a customer before signing and accepting delivery.
Happy to post in 2 weeks time, after I receive my M3P.