In a surprising and somber announcement, Mike Brewer, the well-known TV personality from Wheeler Dealers, has closed down his used car dealership, Mike Brewer Motors, located in Sheffield. After running the business for 15 successful years and employing around 60 staff members, Brewer revealed that recent tax hikes imposed by the Labour government have made operating the dealership financially unsustainable.
Speaking to Car Dealer Magazine, Brewer expressed his frustration about the new “taxation on staff,” which includes increased National Insurance contributions and other employer costs that have severely impacted his business model. “It’s meant that it is untenable to run anymore,” Brewer said bluntly. “We are losing money, and it’s all a result of the government’s recent taxation measures.” He also noted the highly competitive market forces requiring sharp pricing strategies to maintain sales something harder to achieve under the new tax burdens.
Mike Brewer Motors had sold tens of thousands of vehicles over the years, created numerous jobs, supported charities, and fostered community engagement. The closure marks a significant loss not only for Brewer but for the local economy in Sheffield.
While Mike Brewer Motors winds down, Brewer’s other venture, One Automotive in Warwick, remains operational. He plans to focus his energy and resources there going forward. The closure has left many in the motor trade saddened but not surprised, given the increasing financial pressures faced by dealerships across the UK.
The exact details of the tax increases have yet to be fully clarified, but they’re thought to relate to hikes in employer obligations connected to the National Living Wage and associated compliance costs. As Mike Brewer Motors shuts its doors, it raises questions about the impact of government policy on independent motor businesses and the future landscape of the UK automotive market.
