Wheeler Dealers is a British TV series originally produced by Attaboy TV for the Discovery Channel in the United Kingdom and for Motor Trend in the United States. The programme was fronted by car enthusiast and former dealer Mike Brewer with mechanics Edd China (Series 1-13), Ant Anstead (Series 14–16), and Marc Priestley, (Series 17-18). The premise of the show has the presenters on a mission to save old and repairable enthusiast vehicles, by repairing or otherwise improving an example of a particular make and model to a budget then selling it to a new owner.
The programme was created by Daniel Allum and Michael Wood, the founding directors of Attaboy TV, both long-time car enthusiasts.
Series 1 was aired in 2003. Series 5 was renamed Wheeler Dealers On the Road, with Brewer and China expanding their car search by heading out into Europe hoping to find classic cars to buy and restore. The second half of Series 6 was aired in the autumn of 2009 on Discovery Real Time.
Beginning with part 2 of Series 8, Brewer further expanded their horizon by touring the United States. In Series 12, Brewer and China set up a new workshop in a rented bay at Huntington Beach Bodyworks, 18108 Redondo Circle, Huntington Beach, California. This decision was made so that they could deliver more episodes of the show and meant they were able to restore and sell the cars on the spot, instead of having them shipped back to the UK. Once the American operation was established, it moved to more suitable premises at 5382 Research Drive, Huntington Beach. Series 17 (2021) saw the show filming return to the UK.
Wheeler Dealers has spawned a number of derived series such as Wheeler Dealers: Trading Up in which Brewer travels around the world attempting to trade his way up to a supercar, Wheeler Dealers: Dream Car where Brewer and mechanic Marc "Elvis" Priestley lend their expertise to add value to clients' cars to help them trade up to their dream vehicle, and most recently Wheeler Dealers World Tour.
Format
In each episode, Brewer buys a vehicle, turns it over to his mechanic for repairs, then sells it. For the first series, the budget was £1,000, for series 2, £2,000, and for series 3, £3,000. Budgets in subsequent series have varied, depending on the target vehicle. For example, a £10,000 budget was set on buying and restoring a Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 in series 6. For series 11 (2014), the budget is listed on the show's Discovery UK website as "up to £20,000". The presentation for each project usually follows a similar TV format. Through series 6, the project was presented in two 30-minute episodes. Starting with series 7, the format was changed to single 60 minute (including commercials) episodes.
Summary The programme was created with a DIYer in mind. The costs, and thus any profit or loss for a given project, are assessed without consideration of the labour costs of the mechanic (the assumption is that a well-equipped and able enthusiast could complete all work him or herself) but if repairs require professional help, like body resprays, complicated electronics, or windscreen replacements, they are added to the final cost.
Also addressed on each vehicle are its service history, bodywork defects (e.g. rust, dents), worn-out interiors and accessories. Vehicles that have either been inactive for long periods of time or purchased from outside the UK are restored and modified to pass the country's mandatory MOT test.
In common with most similar programmes, Wheeler Dealers features much incidental on-screen advertising. Logos for tools, supplies and equipment are always prominently displayed. Specialist repairers of parts and sub-systems, along with upholsterers, etc. always get adequate coverage in return for favourable price deals. Sometimes, parts and equipment are supplied free of charge.
Part one Brewer starts with a budget to buy and then fix up a vehicle. Brewer gives a brief history of the merits of the chosen model of vehicle. Brewer locates, test drives, negotiates for and buys the vehicle (usually sealed with a handshake and Brewer triumphantly expressing to camera that he's just bought a <name of vehicle>). (Starting from series 5, prospective cars Brewer wanted to buy, but needed too much work, were shown. This also took place in Series 1, Episode 7). Brewer turns the vehicle over to the mechanic, and together they assess its needs. The mechanic begins work, providing assessments of the work and its challenges. Brewer stops by the workshop for an overview of progress, and expenditures are reviewed.
Part two A quick review of the first episode (for series where each project is split into two episodes). Brewer goes on a field trip to procure some required parts. Brewer interviews an owner of a similar vehicle in top condition, then drives and comments on the car. Brewer also assesses the merit and likelihood of getting the Wheeler Dealers example to the same condition as the example he is driving. (This feature was dropped from series 5 onwards) The mechanic finishes the work on the project vehicle which is subsequently shown on a revolving turntable. Brewer returns to the workshop and discusses the finished vehicle with the mechanic. There is a final tally of expenditures. Brewer drives the completed car, assessing improvements. (Starting from series 5, Brewer and the mechanic test drive the finished vehicle together and discuss its resale value.) Brewer sells the vehicle to a new owner (after the inevitable haggling). (Starting from series 5, prospective buyers who failed to buy the car are occasionally shown) The deal is sealed when Brewer says, "Hold out your hand, you've just bought a <name of vehicle>!" and shakes the new buyer's hand. Brewer summarises what the final selling price and profit is (or in rare instances what the loss is) and usually states that they have saved another vehicle to be enjoyed by the new owner.
However, in interviews, following his leaving the show, Edd China has hinted at, at least, some of the sales not having been 'real.' He stated that he, himself, had possession of both of the Cadillacs from the show.
Cast Mike Brewer uses his skills as a car trader to scout and buy used cars to be restored and sold for profit. He's also responsible for procuring replacement parts and sometimes specialists to refurbish expensive parts.
Edd China was credited as the show's co-presenter, from series 1 to 13 doing much of the restoration and mechanical/servicing work, and giving viewers tips on how to sort out and solve various car problems, as well as estimating how much a garage would charge for such repairs. There were, however, always two other mechanics credited.
On 21 March 2017, Velocity announced that China had left the show to "pursue other projects" and that he would be replaced by Ant Anstead in series 14. China explained that he chose to leave because he was disagreeing with the channel, which wanted to cut down his fixes and degree of technical information delivered in the workshop.
On 2 November 2020, it was announced that Marc "Elvis" Priestley would replace Anstead as the main mechanic of the show from Series 17, when it returns to the UK after six years filming in the U.S. However, Anstead will appear occasionally as a special guest.
Since series 13, the programme has been produced by Discovery Studios (replacing Attaboy TV that had produced the 12 previous seasons), for Motor Trend.
Guest appearances on other shows While buying more American cars for the show, Brewer dropped in on Chip Foose during the 2 June 2013 (Lotus Europa part 2, episode #91, s06e12) of Overhaulin, where Foose showed Brewer the 1972 Lotus Europa he was customising.
Theme music Throughout the 18 series of the programme broadcast so far, three different theme tunes have been used; the current one being "Balaclava" by the Wideboys.
The previous theme was from V-The Production Library by Music 4.
Spin offs
In April 2013 a spinoff series titled Wheeler Dealers: Trading Up was launched. This series was produced by X2 Productions Ltd and has Brewer travelling around the world to buy and sell but not repair or restore used cars in different countries with the aim of ultimately purchasing a supercar. In the first season he began with $3,000 and traded his way up to a Porsche 911. The series was recommissioned by Discovery Channel International for a second season where Brewer ended up buying a Ferrari.
A second spinoff series titled Wheeler Dealers: Dream Car premiered in January 2020, with Brewer and mechanic Marc "Elvis" Priestley lending their expertise to add value to clients' cars helping them trade up to their dream vehicle.
In 2024, a third spinoff series was released, dubbed Wheeler Dealers World Tour. It premiered in May 2024, with Brewer and mechanic Marc "Elvis" Priestley travelling around the world to source for cars that they are going to restore and sell.
Episodes
Wheeler Dealers
As of 25 December 2023 269 episodes have been shown, along with 12 recap episodes. For series 1 to 6, each car was covered in two, half-hour episodes (including ad breaks). From series 7 until series 18, each car was covered in a single 60-minute episode.
Wheeler Dealers Revisited
Wheeler Dealers Revisited (ca. 2010) was a set of 5 programmes tracking down some of the cars that had been restored and sold a few years previously. 1983 Jeep CJ7 (s4 ep3-4) 1972 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce 2000 (s4 e5-6) 1976 Porsche 911S 2.7 Targa (s4 e1-2) 1985 BMW 635CSi (s4 e7-8) 1990 Mazda MX-5 NA 1.6 (s3 e1-2)
Wheeler Dealers: Stripped Down Starting in 2020 Wheeler Dealers: Stripped Down is a re-issue of some of the older series, with each program cut down to fit a 30-minute broadcast slot.
U.S. Top 5 Specials SeriesEpisodesOriginally airedSeries premiereSeries finale 1 5 5 June 2013 3 July 2013 Discovery U.S.'s Velocity channel commissioned a series of one-hour Wheeler Dealers: Top 5 Specials hosted by Mike Brewer, featuring the top five vehicles of each genre Brewer and China have worked on during the first nine years of the show.
The specials began airing 5 June 2013, on the way to a Top 5 Viewer's Choice finale on 3 July 2013.
These episodes have been shown in the UK on the Discovery Channel at the end of season 11.1 and started on 5 May 2014.
Episode Top 5Originally Aired180s Icons2American Icons3Micro Cars4Performance Cars5Viewer's Choice
Wheeler Dealers: Trading Up Series Episodes Originally airedSeries premiereSeries finale 1 6 2 April 2013 7 May 2013 2 6 6 August 2014 10 September 2014
Series 1 (2013) # Location Vehicle Budget Purchase Price AdditionalCosts Final Selling Price Profit / Loss UK Air Date UK Viewers (million)1Kolkata, India2004 Maruti Suzuki Alto LX$3,000$2,150 style="text-align: center;" $2,550$4002 April 20130.15 The car was bought off the street, and sold via a newspaper classified2004 Tata Indigo Marina$3,400$2,350$25$2,850$475 The car was washed for $5 Mike had to replace the starter motor for $202000 Hindustan Ambassador Classic$3,875$3,600$1,050$7,600$2,9502London, Herefordshireand Newark, UK The car was shipped over to the UK and got stuck out at sea Mike had to get the car serviced to drive on UK roads Transport & service cost Mike $1,0509 April 20130.211971 Triumph Spitfire Mk IV Convertible$3,000$2,400 style="text-align: center;" $3,450$1,050 New seat foam was installed on the seats The wheels were replaced with refurbished wire units1992 Land Rover 90 Defender$4,050$4,100 style="text-align: center;" $5,825$1,725 New front grille and headlamp bezels were installed Wheels replaced with refurbished black alloy units1967 Chevrolet El Camino$9,600$9,600$808$9,900-$5083Gothenburg, Uddevalla,Malmö and Fjällbacka,Sweden The car was shipped over to Sweden from the UK Repair & transport cost $808