A mechanic who scammed 20 customers out of thousands of pounds by accepting payments for car repairs he never completed has been sentenced to prison.
Mark Douglas Lowe, 47, pleaded guilty to offences under the Companies Act relating to running a fraudulent business. His criminal activity spanned from April 2023 to October 2025 and was conducted under three separate limited companies.
Each victim lost between £400 and £3,400, with most residing in Dorset, although Lowe’s offending covered ten counties ranging from Cornwall to Staffordshire and Yorkshire. In response to numerous charge-back requests, Lowe switched between multiple bank accounts after his previous accounts were closed by financial institutions.
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During the court proceedings at Bournemouth Crown Court, it was revealed that Lowe targeted customers after their vehicles broke down, contacting them through a third-party website. He would visit their homes, diagnose the problem quickly, and claim that parts needed to be ordered or repaired abroad. He then demanded large upfront payments.
Once paid, Lowe failed to complete the repairs. Customers who tried to follow up were often given false explanations such as parts being held at customs, ignored, or, in some cases, met with verbal abuse when they phoned to complain.
As well as the prison sentence of two years and three months, Lowe was disqualified from being a company director for five years and issued a five-year criminal behaviour order preventing him from working as a motor mechanic in any capacity, whether from premises or at customers’ homes.
Lowe has a history of dishonesty offences, holding 15 prior convictions and using 11 aliases. He also changed his name upon relocating from Basingstoke to Dorset in 2013.
Sentencing, Mr Recorder Bebb KC stated: “This was a sustained period of offending involving many victims, some of whom were extremely vulnerable. You were callous in the extreme. Your customers trusted you and you simply took their money causing sleepless nights and significant emotional impact.”
“This was a sustained period of offending involving many victims, some of whom were extremely vulnerable. You were callous in the extreme.”
Cllr Nick Ireland, Leader of Dorset Council, praised the victims and law enforcement for their roles in securing justice. He said: “I would like to thank the victims who came forward to support this prosecution and our Trading Standards officers and Dorset Police for their thorough investigation.
“The determination of those affected helped bring this offender to justice and prevent others from being targeted in the same way.
“Many of the victims lost significant amounts of money after paying large sums in good faith for parts and repairs that were never provided, and some were subjected to abuse.
“We will always take robust action against rogue traders who exploit residents and undermine honest businesses. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts before handing over money and report your concerns as soon as possible.”