£35k Land Rover snatched from dealership after owner left it for MOT

A woman has been left furious after her Land Rover was stolen from a car dealership while waiting for its MOT.

Tracey Holmes bought her £35k Land Rover Discovery around four years ago, and has always taken it to Stratstone Land Rover car dealership when it was time for an MOT. But this car service became one like no other after the 47-year-old received a phone call to inform her that her car had been snatched from the site.

The Stratstone customer, who uses the car daily to travel for her job in Middlesbrough, said she has been left both “stunned and devastated” by the incident – and has desperately shared a plea on social media for her car’s safe return.

Speaking to Teesside Live, Cleveland Police confirmed it was called to reports that a black Land Rover Discovery was stolen in the early hours of Tuesday morning and said that enquiries are ongoing.

Tracey said she took the car into the Preston Farm site around 4pm on Monday, and was leaving it overnight ahead of a trip to Hull for her job the following morning.

Tracey told Teesside Live that she dropped the car off and signed the key over before leaving the site. She said: “I was in Hull [on Tuesday] and just after 10am and I got a phone call from their customer relations. He said: ‘Could you advise us where you have parked your car?’ I explained where I had parked it in their forecourt.

“I said I don’t think it will be there now because the lady told me you would be moving it into a more secure compound out the back. I said: ‘Why, what is the issue?’ He said: ‘Your car has been pinched.’

“I honestly thought I was getting a prank played on me. I really did,” she added. Tracey claims she was told her car was not taken to the dealership’s secure compound after being informed that it would be.

Tracey also claims she has had “no empathy” from the dealership and has not received an apology.

She explained: “I was stunned but I was devastated. You put your car into a garage to keep it legal on the road and then you get a call to say it’s been pinched while it has been put into their hands.”

Tracey thinks the dealership should provide her with a courtesy car while the incident is dealt with, as she is concerned about losing income with not being able to travel to work. She added: “I’m not wanting anything flash – I’ll have whatever you will give me that has got four wheels and works!”

A Cleveland Police spokesperson said: “We were called to reports that a Black Land Rover Discovery was stolen in the early hours of Tuesday 25^th April from Stratstone Land Rover dealership in Stockton. Enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with information should contact us on 101, quoting reference number 078056.”

Teesside Live contacted Stratstone Land Rover directly, which declined to comment, however, motor retailer head office Pendragon confirmed the incident. A spokesman said: “We have been made aware of this incident and are working closely with local police to investigate the situation further.”