Major garage closes down leaving customers £160,000 out of pocket
A MAJOR garage has closed down leaving customers £160,000 out of pocket.
Crest Motorsports NW Ltd in Warrington, Cheshire, specialised in working on rare and specialist vehicles.
It went bankrupt and owed aggrieved customers for incomplete work.
A year later, around 30 people are still fighting to get their money back and have set up a Facebook group.
A customer who lives in the United States bought parts from the garage online.
"People did try going to a small claims court but I don't think anything really came from it," an anonymous customer told the .
Read more Money News
"The general understanding is that nothing could be done as it was a limited company that has now ceased trading - essentially, because the business doesn't exist anymore there is nobody to sue/reclaim money from.
"I believe the garage owed thousands and had next to no assets when the bailiffs arrived.
"My car is currently still just sat in a garage with no engine or anything."
One lucky customer was awarded £7,000 because the ex-business owner failed to attend court.
Most read in Motors
At the time of the closure, the director left a note at the garage.
It read: "Crest Motorsport North West Limited has ceased trading.
"Every avenue to allow the business to continue trading has been explored, inevitably these have been intangible.
"The business cannot continue with the volume of debt and unfulfilled customers associated; I sincerely apologise to all those affected by this inevitable outcome."
The note added: "During the time trading, the intention was always to complete all booked work.
"I am deeply aggrieved by this outcome and have had no personal gain from this business venture, instead facing personal bankruptcy.
"To all those affected and involved, my deepest apologies."