Posted on: 3 August 2026
A mobile mechanic who took large upfront payments for parts and never returned to fix the cars has been sentenced to 2 years and 3 months at Bournemouth Crown Court in a case brought by Dorset Council’s Trading Standards service.
Mark Douglas Lowe (aged 47) who gave his address as near Blandford in Dorset, pleaded guilty to running a fraudulent business under the Companies Act.
The case covered 20 victims who, between April 2023 and October 2025, each lost between £400 and £3400 to Lowe who traded using three different limited companies. He used numerous accounts to take payments after banks closed his accounts due to the high number of charge-back requests they received. Most victims lived in Dorset, but his offending covered 10 counties as far apart as Cornwall, Staffordshire and Yorkshire.
The court heard that customers contacted him through a third-party website after their car had broken down. Lowe would visit them at their home and quickly diagnose the problem. He would then either say that he had to take a part away to be repaired, or more often, that their car needed a new part which had to be ordered from abroad. He always asked for significant sums of money up front. Once these were paid the customer would never see him again. When they called to complain he would make excuses such as the part was held up at customs, or often just ignore their calls. On other occasions he would answer the phone and abuse his customers.
Lowe was disqualified from being a company director for 5 years and was also made subject to a criminal behaviour order for five years which will prevent him from working as a motor mechanic at all, either from fixed premises or at people’s homes.
Lowe had 11 alias names and had changed his name when he moved from Basingstoke to Dorset around 2013. He has 15 previous convictions for dishonesty.
At sentencing on 24 July 2026 Mr Recorder Bebb KC said: “This was a sustained period of offending involving many victims, some of which were extremely vulnerable. You were callous in the extreme. You customers trusted you and you simply took their money causing sleepless nights and significant emotional impact.”
Cllr Nick Ireland, Leader of Dorset Council, 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 fter 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.”
For general consumer advice Dorset residents should contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133. Trading Standards advise that you always consider the Buy With Confidence approved trader scheme. All members have been vetted and approved by Trading Standards to ensure that they operate in a legal, honest and fair way.