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Mike Brewer
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Mike Brewer (born 28 August 1964) is an English car trader-turned-presenter of motoring television programmes. He currently presents Wheeler Dealers on the Discovery Channel with Marc "Elvis" Priestley.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Brewer was born in 1964 in Lambeth, London, to Roger Wilks and Doreen Fitzgerald. His father Roger was the owner at one point of a Ford Popular called "Mr Popstar", and was heavily involved in vehicle customizing, which helped Brewer discover his passion for motoring.[1][2][3] Brewer's first car was a beige Mini 850cc.[4]
Television career
[edit]Brewer's television shows have included Driven on Channel 4, Deals on Wheels, Pulling Power, Wrecks to Riches, Auto Trader, Wheeler Dealers and Wheeler Dealers Trading Up. With the exception of Driven and Pulling Power, all these shows have subsequently aired on the Discovery Channel.
He has appeared in a series called Revved Up in which cars are modified, and presents coverage of the British Rally Championship on Sky Sports. He has presented a show called Remote Madness, in which people with remote controlled mini cars, boats, planes and helicopters compete in a multi challenge race.
In 2010, he changed direction and fronted a new Discovery Channel series Frontline Battle Machines, where he went to Afghanistan, and accompanied front line troops, showing how they use their motorised equipment.[5] At one point his helicopter took enemy ground fire, injuring the pilot in the head and damaging a hydraulic line, forcing a landing.[6]
Wheeler Dealers
[edit]In October 2003, Brewer was hired by the Discovery Channel to present their new motoring show, which was to be titled Wheeler Dealers. Upon its launch, the programme was met with success, and featured Edd China as co-host and mechanic. Following changes to the show's production, China stepped down as co-host in 2017 and was replaced by Ant Anstead.[7]
In 2013, a spin off of Wheeler Dealers was created called Wheeler Dealers - Trading Up. The show featured Brewer travelling around the world buying and selling various cars to reach a final goal of owning a supercar.
January 2020 saw the premier on the Discovery Channel of spin off series Wheeler Dealers: Dream Car. Mike Brewer and former Formula 1 mechanic Marc "Elvis" Priestly help car owners trade up their unwanted vehicles to get them the car of their dreams.[8]
Business career
[edit]In addition to his TV career, Brewer is still active in the car industry, opening Mike Brewer Motors in 2012.[9] The dealership is based in Sheffield and was nominated for Autotrader dealership of the year in 2022. He has also launched the only annual awards for used car dealers in the UK.[10]
Personal life
[edit]Brewer has several advanced licences: a racing licence, an advanced driving licence, and a world speed licence, which allows him to compete at world speed events.[11]
Brewer is married to his wife Michelle.[12] They live in Warwickshire, and have one daughter.[13][14]
Filmography
[edit]Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997-2001 | Deals on Wheels | Presenter | Channel 4 |
| 1997-2002 | Pulling Power | ITV1 | |
| 1999 | Driven | Channel 4 | |
| 2003–2023 | Wheeler Dealers | Discovery Channel | |
| 2009 | Auto Trader | ||
| 2020–2021 | Wheeler Dealers: Dream Car | Presenter | Discovery Channel |
| 2020 | World’s Greatest Cars | Co-Presenter | Quest |
| 2024 | Wheeler Dealers World Tour | Presenter | Discovery Channel |
| 2025 | Mike Brewer: Born Dealer | Presenter | Discovery Channel |
Awards and honours
[edit]On 25 October 2000, Brewer was in a team that set a new British 24-hour Endurance Land Speed Record in a Volvo S60 T5.[15]
In 2004, Brewer won the Royal Television Society Midland Centre award for "Best In Vision Personality".[16]
Bibliography
[edit]- Mike Brewer's The Wheeler Dealer Know How!, Veloce Publishing, 2013, ISBN 9781845844899
References
[edit]- ^ Mike Brewer. "Happy Birthday Dad". Facebook.com. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
Happy Birthday to the greatest man a son could know. I love you tons Dad. Xxxx he's called Roger by the way.
- ^ Mike Brewer. "Mum and Dad Marriage". Facebook.com. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
Today it's all about family for me...44 years in the making and we couldn't be any happier for our Mum and Dad...x.
- ^ Sean McKellar. "Wheeler Dealers: S10 E8 – Ford Popular 103E". motoringbox.com. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
Micky Bray built the famous "Pinball Wizard" Ford Popular from which the paint scheme idea was taken, and which was owned at one time by Mike's dad, Roger.
- ^ Hudson, Paul (18 November 2016). "My first car - Mike Brewer: 'I had a girlfriend, so a scooter wouldn't do'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "FRONTLINE BATTLE MACHINES". MikeBrewer.TV. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
So he decided to find out for himself, by going to the front line in Afghanistan, speaking to the soldiers who use the kit and getting a unique insight into their life and the machinery they use in the field of battle.
- ^ Chinook Pilot takes a headshot... then flies the thing home (Television production). Discovery. Archived from the original on 2021-12-19. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
- ^ Edd China on leaving Wheeler Dealers, archived from the original on 2021-12-19, retrieved 2019-12-07
- ^ "Wheeler Dealers: Dream Car". Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "mike brewers motors". Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "Mike Brewer". Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "Me and My Motor - Mike Brewer". Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "About Mike". Mike Brewer TV. Retrieved 2020-04-15.
- ^ "My Favourite Holiday Mike Brewer". The Sunday Post. 2014-03-16. Retrieved 2020-04-15.
- ^ "Coventry Transport Museum announces Mike Brewer as President of Patron Scheme". Mike Brewer TV. 2016-10-13. Retrieved 2020-04-15.
- ^ "24-hour Endurance Land Speed Record" (PDF). Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "Wheeler Dealers - Mike Brewer". Retrieved 8 May 2015.
External links
[edit]
Mike Brewer
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Mike Brewer (born 28 August 1964) is a British television presenter, journalist, and former car trader, best known for hosting the long-running motoring programme Wheeler Dealers on Discovery Channel, where he has restored and traded over 200 classic cars across multiple series since 2003.[1][2] Born in Lambeth, London, Brewer grew up in a working-class family and developed an early passion for automobiles, which led him to enter the motor trade as a teenager.[3]
Brewer's career in the automotive industry began in the 1980s when he started buying and selling cars, eventually building one of the largest 4x4 centres in southern England by the early 1990s.[2] He transitioned to television in the mid-1990s, initially presenting shows like Deals on Wheels and Driven for Channel 4, before expanding to series such as Auto Trader, Pulling Power, Wrecks to Riches, and Revved Up on networks including Discovery and ITV.[2] His breakthrough came with Wheeler Dealers, co-hosted first with mechanic Edd China for 13 series (135 episodes), then Ant Anstead for four series, and currently Mark "Elvis" Priestly, reaching a global audience of over 200 million viewers in 217 territories; new episodes aired from September 2025.[2][4]
Brewer has earned accolades for his broadcasting work, including the 2004 Royal Television Society Midland Centre award for Best In-Vision Personality. Beyond motoring, he has produced and presented non-automotive content, including the 2010 documentary series Frontline Battle Machines filmed in Afghanistan, and created the spin-off Wheeler Dealers Trading Up.[2]
In his personal life, Brewer has been married to Michelle Brewer since 1992; they have one daughter and reside in Warwickshire.[5] He co-owns the One Automotive dealership in Warwick with his wife, following the closure of his Mike Brewer Motors dealership in Sheffield in October 2025, while a Luton location continues to operate under Mike Brewer Motors; he serves as president of the Patron Scheme at the Coventry Transport Museum, ambassador for Ford UK and the Ben charity, and patron for Seesaw Oxford and the Sporting Bears Motor Club.[2][6][7]
Beyond television, Brewer has made notable non-TV appearances in podcasts and digital media. He guest-hosted the Auto Express podcast in 2023, discussing his career and car trends.[37] In 2024, he appeared on the Car Dealer Podcast, sharing insights on his used car business ventures.[38] On YouTube, his official channel features regular cameos and car-related content, including a October 2025 video teasing "big plans" for upcoming projects, generating significant fan buzz about potential new series.[39]
Early Life and Background
Childhood and Family
Mike Brewer was born on 28 August 1964 in Lambeth, London, to parents Roger Wilks and Doreen Fitzgerald.[8] His father worked as a car customiser and mechanic, while his mother managed the household, creating a family environment deeply immersed in automotive culture from an early age.[9] This dynamic fostered Brewer's initial fascination with vehicles, as he often accompanied his father to car shows and spent time observing customisation work.[10] A pivotal element of Brewer's childhood was his father's ownership of a modified Ford Popular hot rod, affectionately nicknamed "Mr Popstar," which served as a constant source of inspiration and family bonding.[10] Brewer has recalled developing an interest in cars around the age of 10 or 11, drawn to the hands-on modifications his father performed on this vehicle, which highlighted the creativity and skill involved in automotive tinkering.[10] At age 17, Brewer acquired his first personal car, a beige Mini 850cc, because he had a girlfriend and felt a scooter was insufficient.[10] Equipped with a wooden steering wheel and gear knob, the car became a symbol of independence, with Brewer driving it on weekend trips to coastal towns like Southend and Margate despite its modest 34 bhp output and top speed just over 70 mph.[9] He bought the Mini for £300 and later sold it for £800 after basic clean-up and minor modifications, securing a £500 profit that ignited his entrepreneurial approach to cars.[11] Growing up in Lambeth during the 1960s and 1970s, a working-class district amid London's post-war economic recovery, Brewer was exposed to a practical, resourceful mindset shaped by limited means and DIY culture.[12] Assisting in his father's workshop during summer holidays reinforced this, teaching him essential mechanics through trial and error rather than formal training, which cultivated a lifelong hands-on ethic in vehicle maintenance and repair.[9]Early Interest in Cars
Mike Brewer's fascination with automobiles began in childhood, largely shaped by his father's involvement in car customization. His father owned a customized Ford Popular, a model that ignited Brewer's mechanical curiosity as he observed and assisted with basic repairs and modifications in the family garage. From around the age of ten, Brewer spent school holidays cleaning tools and helping in the garage, where he developed foundational skills in vehicle maintenance under his father's guidance.[13][14] During his school years, Brewer's hands-on interest deepened through personal projects with affordable cars. He acquired his first vehicle, a beige Mini 850cc, which he tinkered with by tidying and performing minor modifications to improve its condition. These early experiments not only honed his practical knowledge but also foreshadowed his aptitude for vehicle enhancement, as he bought the Mini for £300 and sold it for £800, securing a £500 profit.[11][9] As a teenager, Brewer began informal dealings in cars, buying and selling vehicles to turn a profit and build experience. These adolescent pursuits, influenced by his father's custom Ford Popular and garage environment, laid the groundwork for his deep-seated expertise in the motoring world.[11][9]Professional Career
Business Ventures
Mike Brewer founded Mike Brewer Motors in Sheffield in 2012 through an alliance with Evolution Funding, the UK's leading automotive finance provider.[15] The dealership specialized in used cars, emphasizing a relaxed, no-hassle sales approach with a strong focus on customer service to build long-term relationships rather than high-pressure tactics.[16] In 2022, Mike Brewer Motors received a nomination for Dealership of the Year from Auto Trader, recognizing its operational excellence in the used car sector. That same year, Brewer launched and hosted the annual Used Car Awards through Car Dealer Magazine, establishing the UK's only dedicated national recognition program for used car dealers, which includes mystery shopping and judging panels to highlight industry best practices.[17] The dealership faced significant challenges in 2024, including a fraud incident where scammers used a fake identity and stolen credit card to purchase a Volkswagen Golf GTD, resulting in an initial £10,000 loss before police recovered the vehicle days later. Brewer publicly responded by declaring "the fight is on" against such scams and implemented stricter verification rules, such as mandatory in-person ID checks and halting remote sales to prevent future vulnerabilities.[18][19] Later in 2024, a used car was effectively stolen from the dealership lot via a related credit card scam, with police recovering it shortly after; this incident, combined with ongoing fraud risks, prompted enhanced security measures across Brewer's operations. By early 2025, recovery efforts for a separate high-profile theft—a fully restored Mk1 Ford Fiesta stolen in 2023 from a nearby hotel during Wheeler Dealers production—remained unsuccessful, with Brewer noting the vehicle had "vanished from the face of the Earth" despite extensive searches.[20][21] Amid these setbacks, Brewer expanded his ventures with the launch of One Automotive, a new used car dealership in Leamington Spa focused on vans and family vehicles, which proved successful by emphasizing nearly new stock to meet market demand. In 2025, he partnered with Petrolheadonism to organize Wheeler Dealer Live, an annual car trading event at Bicester Heritage featuring live auctions, trader networking, and enthusiast showcases to foster industry connections. However, by October 2025, escalating government taxation on staffing forced the closure of the original Mike Brewer Motors in Sheffield after 15 years, resulting in 60 redundancies, though One Automotive continued operations unaffected.[22][23][24] Brewer's television persona from Wheeler Dealers has briefly boosted visibility for these ventures, drawing customer interest through his established reputation in car trading.[25]Television Presenting
Mike Brewer's transition to television in the late 1990s stemmed from his established background in car trading, which lent authenticity to his on-screen roles. He entered the medium through a chance opportunity when a producer contacted him, leading to his debut as host of the Channel 4 series Deals on Wheels in 1997, where he showcased used car buying and selling. This was followed by presenting Driven on Channel 4 starting in 1998, a consumer-focused motoring program that highlighted vehicle reviews and advice.[2][3] Brewer's presenting style is characterized by an energetic, deal-making persona that draws directly from his automotive expertise, often featuring on-location haggling and practical demonstrations to engage audiences. His approach emphasizes straightforward, honest commentary on cars, blending enthusiasm with real-world trading insights to make complex motoring topics accessible. This persona has become a hallmark of his work, fostering a relatable connection with viewers interested in automotive culture.[2][26] Key milestones in his television career include receiving the Royal Television Society Midland Centre award for Best In-Vision Personality in 2004, recognizing his early contributions to motoring programming. Another notable incident occurred in 2010 while filming Frontline Battle Machines for the Discovery Channel in Afghanistan, where Brewer was aboard a Chinook helicopter that came under Taliban fire during a medical evacuation mission; the pilot was struck in the helmet but safely landed the aircraft, an event captured on camera.[2][27] Post-2020, Brewer's career evolved with changes in show formats and co-hosts on Wheeler Dealers, including the departure of long-time collaborator Edd China in 2017 and the subsequent pairing with Ant Anstead until 2021, followed by a shift back to UK production and a new format emphasizing international trading challenges. These adaptations reflected broader production relocations and a focus on refreshed content to maintain global appeal, with the series now airing in 217 territories.[2][28] In 2024 and 2025, Brewer expanded his media presence through partnerships with Petrolheadonism.club, organizing live Wheeler Dealers events such as the Wheeler Dealer Live show at Bicester Motion on June 1, 2025, featuring car auctions, trader meetups, and interactive sessions. Additionally, he announced and premiered the new series Mike Brewer: Born Dealer on Quest in August 2025, offering an inside look at his Warwickshire dealership operations and family involvement in the business.[29][30]Media Output
Key Television Shows
Mike Brewer's most prominent television work is the long-running series Wheeler Dealers, which premiered in 2003 on Discovery Channel and follows the format of sourcing undervalued vehicles, performing mechanical restorations, and reselling them for profit, blending automotive education with business negotiation. Initially co-hosted with mechanic Edd China from 2003 to 2017, the show underwent a significant change when China departed, with Ant Anstead taking over as co-host from 2017 to 2021, after which the series paused before reviving in 2023 with Marc "Elvis" Priestley as the new mechanic partner. The revival emphasized international elements, leading to spin-offs such as Wheeler Dealers: Dream Car (2020–2022), where Brewer and Priestley helped clients achieve dream vehicles on budgets through custom builds, and Wheeler Dealers World Tour (2024), which featured global sourcing and repairs in locations like Turkey and Japan. A new series of the main show launched on September 24, 2025, airing at 9 p.m. on Discovery Channel UK, continuing the core format with Priestley while incorporating viewer-favorite restoration challenges.[4] Beyond Wheeler Dealers, Brewer hosted several other notable motoring programs that highlighted his trading expertise and enthusiasm for vehicles. In Pulling Power (1997–2008 on ITV), he presented reviews of high-performance cars, trucks, and motorcycles, often testing their capabilities in dynamic segments to appeal to enthusiasts. Wrecks to Riches (2004, Discovery Channel) was a one-off challenge series where Brewer started with a modest budget of £300 to trade up from salvaged vehicles to desirable models, demonstrating practical haggling and repair strategies over four episodes. Similarly, Auto Trader (2003–2004, Discovery Channel), co-presented with Edd China, focused on the used car market by scouting deals, appraising vehicles, and offering buying advice, establishing Brewer's reputation as a knowledgeable dealer on screen. In 2025, Brewer starred in the new series Mike Brewer: Born Dealer on Quest and Discovery+, which premiered on August 4 and provides an intimate look at his personal trading ventures at his Warwick dealership alongside his wife, Michelle, emphasizing real-time deals and business decisions.[30] The show highlights bold trades, such as in Episode 2 (aired August 11), where Brewer swapped a classic Citroën for a Jaguar F-Type, showcasing risk assessment in the classic car market during a visit to an auction. These programs, particularly Wheeler Dealers and its extensions, have achieved global distribution via Discovery networks, engaging millions through their hands-on restoration tutorials and transparent profit breakdowns, which educate viewers on automotive maintenance and market savvy while fostering a dedicated international fanbase.Filmography and Appearances
Mike Brewer's television filmography primarily consists of hosting and presenting roles in motoring and automotive-themed programs, spanning from 1997 to the present day. His credits emphasize practical car restoration, reviews, and industry insights, with Wheeler Dealers serving as his longest-running series.[1] The following table provides a chronological overview of his key television series and notable appearances:| Year(s) | Title | Role | Network/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997–2001 | Deals on Wheels | Presenter/Host | Discovery Real Time; early motoring series focusing on car deals.[31] |
| 1998–2002 | Driven | Presenter/Host | Channel 4; reviewed new and classic cars.[32] |
| 2003–present | Wheeler Dealers | Presenter/Host | Discovery Channel; core series on buying, repairing, and selling cars; ongoing with new episodes announced for 2025.[33][4] |
| 1997–2008 | Pulling Power | Presenter/Host | ITV; explored powerful vehicles.[32] |
| 2004 | Wrecks to Riches | Presenter/Host | Discovery Channel; one-off four-episode series restoring wrecked cars for profit.[32] |
| 2003 | Auto Trader | Presenter/Host | Discovery Channel; car buying advice series.[32] |
| 2010 | Frontline Battle Machines | Presenter/Host | Discovery Channel; series on military vehicles filmed in Afghanistan.[32] |
| 2020–2022 | Wheeler Dealers: Dream Car | Presenter/Host | Discovery Channel; spin-off advising on dream car modifications.[34] |
| 2020 | Mike Brewer's World of Cars | Presenter/Host | Discovery Channel; global car culture exploration.[35] |
| 2024–present | Wheeler Dealers World Tour | Presenter/Host | Discovery Channel; international car flips with tighter deadlines.[36] |
| 2025–present | Mike Brewer: Born Dealer | Presenter/Host | Quest/UKTV; documentary-style look at his dealership life with family.[30] |