Wheeler Dealers host Mike Brewer once pulled out of a classic car sale, despite flying two hours to Europe to finalise a deal.The host of the renowned restoration series flew out to Portugal to complete a deal but quickly found out the model “wasn’t right”.
Mike and the team didn’t go ahead with the deal and looked set to return back to the UK completely empty-handed. However, Mike ran into a Peugeot 405 Mi-16 on the same journey and completed a deal before featuring it on the show. Previously speaking to the Daily Express, co-host Marc Priestley said: “Mike went down to Portugal to look at a particular car. It wasn’t right for us. But there was another car that ended up being like a real star of one of these episodes.
“Like anyone out there, it’s not all just pre-planned and thought out in advance. Sometimes you think on the fly. You see something and it just works.”
Mike took a look at the model in front of production crews and quickly worked on fixing up a deal for the car.
After looking at the bodywork and under the bonnet, Mike came to the conclusion that the head gasket and starter motor would need some work.
However, he quickly realised that he couldn’t get behind the wheel on public roads to give it a spin. This was because the Peugeot had not recently passed a Portuguese MOT and was therefore no longer considered to be road-legal.
After viewing the car, Mike said: “”hat car is a very special car and I’m the first one from the UK to come and see it. That means that there is going to be a load of people on their way to see it if he advertises it, so I have to be quick with my decision.”
The seller was asking for €8,000. Mike quickly came back with a counteroffer of €6,000, but the owner stood firm and wanted €7,000 before a deal was eventually struck at €6,500.
Marc flew over to Portugal to get working on the model and spent time fixing up the tyres, brakes, engine and starter motor. The model became the most profitable car of the previous series, with Mike and Marc selling the model on for £20,000.
After restoration costs were factored into account, the pair still brought home a profit of £12,338.