Derek Mathewson is the founder and patriarch of Mathewsons Auctions, a family-run classic car auction house in North Yorkshire, and the breakout star of the hit UKTV observational documentary series Bangers & Cash. With over 50 years of experience in the motor trade, he is renowned for his encyclopaedic knowledge of vintage vehicles, his straight-talking Yorkshire humour, and his ability to spot hidden value in “barn finds” that others might scrap. As of 2026, he continues to lead the business alongside his sons Paul and Dave, operating primarily from their expanded headquarters in Pickering while maintaining their iconic original premises in the picturesque village of Thornton-le-Dale.
Derek Mathewson has become an unlikely national treasure. In a world of polished TV presenters and scripted reality shows, Derek offers something refreshingly authentic: a grumpy, passionate, and incredibly knowledgeable bloke who simply loves old cars.
Since Bangers & Cash first aired on the Yesterday channel in 2019, Derek and his family have transformed from running a successful local business to becoming the faces of the UK’s booming classic car culture. Their auction house, Mathewsons, now attracts bidders from across the globe, and the sleepy village of Thornton-le-Dale has become a pilgrimage site for petrolheads.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the man, the business, and the TV show. Whether you want to buy a classic Ford Cortina, visit the famous garage, or just find out if Derek really is as grumpy off-camera as he is on it, you’ll find the answers here.
Early Life and Career: Before the Gavel
While he is now famous for wielding the gavel, Derek Mathewson’s life in the motor trade began long before the cameras arrived.
The Petrol in His Veins
Derek has spent over half a century in the automotive industry. Unlike many auctioneers who come from a fine art background, Derek is a “car man” first and foremost. He cut his teeth in the trade during an era when deals were done on handshakes and mechanical simplicity was king.
- Early Days: He started buying and selling cars as a young man, developing a keen eye for what makes a vehicle desirable. He has often spoken about his disdain for modern, computerized cars, preferring vehicles “you can actually fix with a spanner.”
- The Move North: Originally from the south, Derek moved his family to North Yorkshire to pursue a better quality of life and establish his business in a region with a strong appreciation for heritage and mechanics.
Building the Business
Mathewsons didn’t start as an auction empire. It began as a traditional garage and car sales operation.
- Bedford CA Vans: Derek has a well-documented obsession with Bedford CA vans (the Dormobile type). His personal collection and restoration of these vehicles helped establish his reputation as a specialist in “everyman” classics rather than just high-end supercars.
- The Auction Transition: Recognizing a gap in the market for an approachable, transparent way to sell classic cars, Derek shifted the focus from retail sales to auctions. This allowed for a higher turnover of stock and created the chaotic, exciting atmosphere that defines the business today.
Mathewsons Auctions: The Empire
Mathewsons is the beating heart of Derek’s world. It is unique in the auction industry because it deals in everything—from a £500 rusty Austin Metro to a £100,000 Aston Martin.
The “Roxby Garage” Era (Thornton-le-Dale)
For years, the business was synonymous with Roxby Garage in the village of Thornton-le-Dale.
- The Look: With its vintage petrol pumps and old-fashioned signage, the garage looks like a film set. It sits right on the main road through the village, famously causing traffic jams when transporters try to unload vehicles.
- The Change: Due to the massive success of the TV show, the business outgrew this location. Today, Roxby Garage serves primarily as a gift shop and a spiritual home for the brand, while the heavy lifting happens elsewhere.
The Expansion to Pickering
To cope with the volume of cars (often 400-600 lots per month), Mathewsons expanded to a large industrial unit in nearby Pickering.
- The HQ: Located at Unit 10, Enterprise Way, this is where the cars are stored, photographed, and viewed. It lacks the romantic aesthetic of the village garage but offers the space needed for a global auction house.
- The Modern Era: The business has modernized significantly. While Derek still loves a handwritten note, the auctions are now sophisticated operations with online bidding platforms, professional photography, and worldwide shipping logistics.
Bangers & Cash: The TV Phenomenon
Bangers & Cash is the engine that propelled Derek to stardom. It is consistently one of the most-watched programmes on the Yesterday channel (and now available on Channel 4 streaming).
Why It Works
The show’s success lies in its unpolished nature. It follows the “observational documentary” format.
- No Script: The arguments between Derek and his sons are real. The stress when a car doesn’t sell is real. The joy when a “barn find” starts for the first time is real.
- The Storytelling: Unlike Top Gear, which focuses on performance, Bangers & Cash focuses on provenance. Derek is a master at telling the social history of a car—who bought it, why they loved it, and why it smells like old pipe tobacco.
The Family Dynamic
The show thrives on the relationships between the Mathewson men:
- Derek: The “Dad” figure. Risk-taker, loves a project, hates paperwork.
- Paul Mathewson: Derek’s son. The sensible one. He often rolls his eyes at Derek’s purchases and tries to keep the business running efficiently.
- Dave Mathewson: Derek’s other son. Share’s his dad’s enthusiasm but often sides with Paul on the logistics. He has a dry wit that rivals his father’s.
Restoring Classics (The Spin-Off)
The success of the main show spawned Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics. In this series, the Mathewsons buy a car at their own auction and restore it, hoping to make a profit (though Derek often admits they barely break even). This show highlights the realities of restoration—hidden rust, expensive parts, and missed deadlines.
Buying and Selling at Mathewsons
Derek has demystified the auction process for thousands of people. If you are inspired to buy your first classic, here is how the “Mathewson Way” works.
The Process
- Cataloguing: Sellers send photos. If Derek likes it, the car comes to Pickering.
- The Description: Derek or the team writes a famously honest description. They are known for pointing out flaws rather than hiding them, which builds trust with buyers.
- The Video: A walk-around video is filmed (often featuring Derek pointing out “rot” or “bubbling”).
- The Auction: Held monthly. While Derek used to hammer them down in a crowded village hall, auctions are now largely conducted with online bidding, though the auctioneer still performs live.
Fees and Costs (2026 Estimates)
- Buyers: Expect to pay a commission of around 10% + VAT on the hammer price for vehicles under £20,000 (rates may decrease for higher value items). There is often an online bidding fee (approx 1-2%).+1
- Sellers: Entry fees are generally low (sometimes £0 for interesting cars), with a selling commission deducted from the final price.
- “Sold as Seen”: Derek constantly reminds viewers that auctions are not dealerships. There are no warranties. You buy the car “warts and all.”
The Cars: Derek’s Taste
Derek Mathewson is an “everyman” enthusiast. He is known for championing the “unloved” cars of the 70s, 80s, and 90s.
Favourites
- Bedford CA Vans: His absolute passion. He owns several and is the foremost expert on them.
- Fast Fords: He recognizes the explosive value of Ford Escort Mexicos, RS2000s, and Capris.
- British Leyland: Derek has a soft spot for the cars that “kept Britain moving,” even if they broke down often—Austin Allegros, Morris Marinas, and Rover SD1s.
Notable Sales
Mathewsons has sold some incredible vehicles, including:
- Fast Fords: Reaching prices of £40k-£60k.
- Barn Finds: Low-mileage Minis found buried under rubbish for 30 years.
- Memorabilia: Old petrol pumps, enamel signs, and vintage bicycles.
Practical Information and Planning
If you want to visit the world of Derek Mathewson, you need to know where to go, as the TV show can be misleading regarding locations.
Visiting Thornton-le-Dale (The Gift Shop)
- What is it: The original Roxby Garage site.
- Address: Pickering Road, Thornton-le-Dale, Pickering, YO18 7LH.
- Status: Open to the public. It is primarily a gift shop selling Bangers & Cash merchandise, model cars, and branded clothing.
- Can I see cars here? There are usually a handful of “halo” cars on the forecourt for photos (often the promotional van or a classic tractor), but the main auction stock is not kept here.
- Parking: Do not park on the forecourt. Use the main village car park (signposted).
Visiting Pickering (The Auction HQ)
- What is it: The main warehouse where the 500+ auction vehicles are stored.
- Address: Unit 10, Enterprise Way, Thornton Road, Pickering, YO18 7NA.
- Status: Restricted Opening. You cannot just wander in on any day.
- Viewing Days: The showroom is open to the public only during designated viewing days leading up to an auction (usually the week before the sale).
- Entry Fee: There is often a small entry fee (e.g., £5) for viewing days, often donated to charity.
- Check First: Always check the Mathewsons.co.uk website for “Viewing Dates” before traveling.
How to Get There
- By Car: Thornton-le-Dale is on the A170. It is about 30 minutes from Scarborough and 45 minutes from York.
- By Public Transport: The nearest train station is Malton. From Malton, you can take the Coastliner 840 bus (voted Britain’s most scenic bus route) which stops in both Pickering and Thornton-le-Dale.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Derek Mathewson married? Derek has been married to his wife, Sue, for over 40 years. However, in 2023, widely circulated tabloid reports suggested a separation involving a colleague, Vicki Ivens. The family has kept these personal matters private, and Derek continues to work alongside his sons.
2. What is Derek Mathewson’s net worth? While exact figures are private, Derek’s net worth is estimated to be in the range of £3 million to £5 million. This wealth comes from decades of trading, the ownership of the auction house (which has a high turnover of stock), and his fees from the TV show Bangers & Cash.
3. How old is Derek Mathewson? Born around 1951/1952, Derek Mathewson is approximately 73 or 74 years old as of 2026.
4. Can I meet Derek if I visit the garage? It is possible, but not guaranteed. Derek is still a working auctioneer and is often out valuing cars or filming. He does not sit in the gift shop all day. However, he is known to be very friendly to fans when he is on-site at the Pickering showroom during viewing days.
5. Is the Thornton-le-Dale museum open? The formal “museum” at the back of the Roxby Garage in Thornton-le-Dale is widely reported as permanently closed to the public to make space for the shop and office operations. The cars are now viewed at the Pickering site during auction viewing weeks.
6. Does Derek keep the cars he buys on Restoring Classics? Generally, no. The premise of the spin-off show is to buy, restore, and sell to see if a profit can be made. However, he has a personal collection (including his beloved Astons and Bedfords) that he keeps privately.
7. Why did Sarah Crabtree leave the show? Sarah Crabtree, the popular office manager from early seasons, left Mathewsons in 2021. She launched her own classic car platform, Evoke Classics. Her departure was amicable, simply a desire to move on to new projects, though fans missed her banter with Derek.
8. Where is Bangers & Cash filmed? It is filmed on location in Thornton-le-Dale (at the original garage) and Pickering(at the new industrial unit), as well as across the UK as Derek travels to collect vehicles.
9. How do I sell my car with Derek? You can submit a “valuation request” via the Mathewsons website. You will need to send photos and a description. If accepted, you will arrange to transport the car to Pickering for the next available auction.
10. Is the auction real or staged for TV? The auctions are 100% real. The cars are real, the bidders are real, and the money is real. The TV crew simply observes the process. Derek has no control over whether a car sells or fails to meet its reserve.
11. Does Derek really drive the transporter? Yes. Unlike some TV hosts who have stunt drivers, Derek (and his sons) hold HGV licenses and regularly drive the transporters to collect vehicles.
12. What is the “Mathewson effect”? This refers to the increase in prices for certain “unloved” classic cars (like the Austin Maestro or Morris Ital) after they have been featured on the show. Derek’s enthusiasm for ordinary cars has helped raise their profile in the classic car community.
Watch Derek in Action Check out some of Derek’s funniest moments, from arguing with Paul about buying another “rust bucket” to hammering down a record sale.
