WHEELER Dealers host Mike Brewer has revealed the “worst car he’s ever owned”, which cost him hundreds after failing an MOT.
The star explained he was forced to snap up the “hideous” motor thanks to the demands of his filming schedule.
Twitter / @MrsMBrewerWheeler Dealer’s Mike Brewer has revealed the worst car he’s ever owned[/caption]
AlamyHe named the 1986 Suzuki SJ410 that he restored in series two of the show[/caption]
Mike, who has presented the beloved car show since 2003, identified a particular Suzuki SJ410 4×4 that appeared on an early episode as his most hated purchase.
He told The Telegraph: “It was a truly hideous car with no chance of getting through an MOT test.”
The car in question appeared on a series two episode, where Mike and the team aimed to build an off-roader on the cheap.
They bought the 1986 Suzuki for £250, roughly equivalent to £430 in today’s money, and set about the conversion.
Mike claimed that he had not wanted to use the car but was forced to by the pressure to get the series shot.
He said: “The television deadline meant I had to buy it.”
Unfortunately, he would end up losing hundreds on the old banger.
He and then co-star Edd China had bought a new engine for £150 to fix a misfire and had also spent £500 on new axles and wheels, as well as another £500 on a roll cage.
But it all fell apart when the car was MOT tested, which it failed badly due to faulty welding rendering it unsafe.
Since this would have taken days and yet more money to solve, the team decided to cut their losses and sell it to an off-roading enthusiast without an MOT for £500.
When taking their costs into account, that represented a loss of around £900.
In the same interview, Mike also opened up on which car he most regretted selling – again citing one that appeared on Wheeler Dealers.
Known for his love of Fords, the presenter cited a ’60s Mustang with a “soulful V8” that he restored for the show.
Indeed, he was so impressed by the car that he “bought a similar [one] straight after”.
It comes after Mike revealed his next project as he vowed to restore a classic Porsche just days after issuing a “sad and exciting” update on the show’s future.
He also backed a major tax change that could benefit thousands of British drivers, as a new petition gathers steam.