In hindsight, with all the setbacks I've experienced with the new Mini, the latest news can't really be a surprise to anyone.
Because a vehicle's value is largely determined by it's "build date" in Holland, which actually is the date it gets its license ("kenteken"), many lease companies refuse to take delivery of any cars after the 15th of november, and instead will only allow a license to be requested for it after the first of january of the next year (effectively gaining a year). Of course, how could it have been any different, my Checkmate will be delivered to the dealer in the first week of december, which is at least two weeks too late.
This means the car will have to sit at the dealer until the start of 2006 before I can drive it. Oh well, it will make for a nice, although slightly delayed, christmas present.