1:00 pm, August 17, 2026
Car dealer Kevin Mackie is to get his day in court after an application to have his case thrown out was rejected by a judge.
Mackie Motors is currently embroiled in long-running legal action against Renault, Nissan and RCI Financial Services after its banking, and access to key dealer systems, were pulled with seven days notice back in 2021, amid internal suspicions of money laundering.
Boss Kevin Mackie strongly denies the claims and describes the accusations as ‘unfounded’. Within weeks of being shut off, the business was sold in a distress deal.
Car Dealer reported earlier this year that the respondents in the case had made an application to have the case struck-off, arguing that the ongoing proceedings ‘repeat matters already litigated in previous proceedings’.
They also described the claim as an ‘abuse of the court process’ and accused Mackie Motors of ‘re-litigating’ the same facts under new legal theories, after a previous court case ruled in favour of RCI.
Now however, their application has been rejected by judge Lance Ashworth KC.
In a written judgement, passed down today (Aug 17), the judge said the case did not constitute an abuse of the court process and that it would be wrong to shut Mackie Motors out from litigating issues that had not previously been adjudicated.
Ashworth KC said Renault and Nissan had ‘not been parties to the previous claim’, describing that as a ‘powerful factor’ in his decision.
He added that there was nothing to suggest the new case was ‘oppressive or amounts to unjust harassment’ of the two manufacturers.
Allowing the claim to proceed, Ashworth KC said: ‘It is not appropriate to shut out MMBL [Mackie Motors (Brechin) Limited] from litigating for the first time a question which has not previously been adjudicated upon on this basis.’
‘The Current Action against RCI is not merely a repackaging of the same facts into new causes of action against RCI,’ he added.
‘It is an entirely new case based on evidence that was not available at the time of the previous claim.’
‘We have done nothing wrong.’
Mackie welcomed the ruling and vowed to continue fighting his corner.
Reacting to the news, he told Car Dealer: ‘They are trying to make the innocent the guilty party when we have done nothing wrong.
‘It has caused a lot of pain for my family – if they had just given us our two year’s notice it would have worked through the issues.
‘I’m now looking forward to getting all the disclosures. We have never seen what was sent between Renault, Nissan and RCI and that is a key part of our case.
‘It will be good to finally get them in court – it really feels like we are heading in the right direction.’
In a public statement, the 58-year-old added: ‘With the help of former Renault and Nissan Motors GB directors and managers we can now look forward to the disclosure of relevant emails, meeting records, internal communications and decision-making documents, allowing the role played by each party to be properly examined.
‘Today is not about lawyers. It is about my parents, my family, our former staff, customers, and everyone who has helped me over the last four and a half years.
‘The Financial Conduct Authority has been an embarrassment and as much use as a chocolate fireguard. Now the questions begin.
‘I look forward to those who caused this scandal, answering questions under oath in the High Court.
‘Accountability starts at the very top. Leadership is not just about celebrating success; it is about accepting responsibility when things go wrong.
‘If organisations expect the public’s trust, then their leaders must also accept public accountability.’
A future date for the full trial is yet to be set. However, it has already been confirmed that SNP politician Dave Doogan will appear as a witness for Mackie Motors.
Doogan, Mackie’s local MP, previously told Car Dealer that a Mackie Motors had been destroyed by a ‘faceless foreign bank’.
The firm also says it will be calling former managing directors from Renault UK and Nissan Motors GB along with a senior executives from with RCI Financial Services.
Appeal still possible
Car Dealer has contacted Renault, Nissan and RCI Financial Services – now called Mobilize Financial Services – for comment.
In a statement issued to Car Dealer, Renault acknowledged the verdict and said it could still appeal the decision.
A spokesman for the French brand said: ‘We acknowledge the judge’s decision to allow the case to proceed to a further hearing.
‘We will continue to defend our position, and will now evaluate our options, including a potential appeal of today’s ruling.’
A spokesman for RCI Financial Services added: ‘We acknowledge the judge’s decision to proceed to a further hearing.
‘We are reviewing the judgment in detail and the possibility of an appeal. As the matter remains subject to ongoing legal proceedings, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.’
Meanwhile, Nissan remain confident of winning at trial.
A Nissan spokesperson said: ‘The Judge in the latest hearing indicated that Mackie Motors’ claims are likely to be dismissed at trial but did not consider that they should be dismissed summarily at this stage. We will review the judgment and consider next steps.’
You can read about the whole Mackie Motors legal saga here.