News

Dealer has cars worth £100,000 stolen just days after relocating

Time 11:08 am, January 31, 2017

A CAR DEALER had six high-end vehicles as well as his van stolen just days after moving into new premises.

They were taken from MB Motors in Woodside Road, Ballymena, Co Antrim, last Friday – the same week the firm relocated from nearby Cullybackey Road. The company, which sells new, used, 4×4 and commercial vehicles, has traded in the town for more than 15 years. Together, the stolen vehicles were reckoned to be worth approximately £100,000.

The vandalised office at MB Motors in Ballymena

The vandalised office at MB Motors in Ballymena

The six vehicles comprised an Audi A4, a BMW 5 Series, a Land Rover, a Mitsubishi L200 Trojan, a Mitsubishi Shogun and a Volkswagen Scirocco. The Ford van was later recovered.


Malcolm Beattie, who owns and runs the company, had only moved into the new premises on Monday and had his office vandalised during the break-in.

He told Car Dealer Magazine: ‘I’m a sole trader and it’s taken me many years to get the money together to build up the level of stock. This has been a big kick in the teeth.’

The BMW 5 Series stolen from MB Motors

This BMW 5 Series was among the vehicles that were stolen from MB Motors

Police are investigating the thefts, although it is understood the number plates were subsequently changed. A public appeal has also been made on MB Motors’ Facebook page.


Anyone with information about the break-in should contact police on 101 and quote reference number 291 of 28/01/17, or they can get in touch with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or MB Motors on 07784 088292.

Images via MB Motors’ Facebook page and reproduced with permission

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John Bowman's avatar

John has been with Car Dealer since 2013 after spending 25 years in the newspaper industry as a reporter then a sub-editor/assistant chief sub-editor on regional and national titles. John is chief sub-editor in the editorial department, working on Car Dealer, as well as handling social media.



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