We Buy Cars, Hexham marking anniversary in Northumberland

We Buy Cars, Hexham, was founded by Allendale’s John James on August 24, 2021, while he was studying computer science in his early twenties. In its first year, the business bought, sold or scrapped more than 100 vehicles.

Five years on, it operates its own recovery truck and a fleet of branded vans, buying cars, vans and 4x4s ranging from family vehicles to prestige marques and classics.

Mick Robson in his Allendale Motor Company (AMCO) polo (Image: We Buy Cars)

The business continues a family connection to the motor trade. John’s stepfather, Mick Robson, bought the Allendale Motor Company in 1970 while still a teenager. A mechanic by trade, Mick ran the business as a repair garage, with car sales operating alongside it.

More: 'We want people to use us for decades' - Car company celebrates first birthday

Tea break in the workshop at the farm, mid-repair, in the AMCO years (Image: We Buy Cars)

Over the years, the Allendale forecourt handled marques including Aston Martin, Lotus, Porsche and Mercedes. In 2003, Mick sold the forecourt, now home to The Forge café, and moved the workshop and a smaller sales operation to a shipping container at the family farm, where We Buy Cars remains based.

Mick introduced John to the trade as a teenager, with the pair working and trading vehicles together for years. John later revived the sales side under the We Buy Cars name.

Hexham Juniors in their We Buy Cars sponsored kits (Image: We Buy Cars)

The company’s name has an unusual origin. In 2020, John and Mick arranged for a family van to be wrapped with the words “We Buy Cars” in large lettering. The van was regularly parked outside the former Allendale Motor Company forecourt, giving the new business a prominent advertising spot in the village.

The Allendale Motor Company forecourt (Image: We Buy Cars)

John said: “He taught me the trade. He never quite trusted my way of doing it, the websites and the data, and I like to think the last five years would have won him round. This anniversary is for him.

Mick sat at the wheel of the boat behind the family Range Rover on the moors in the 1970s (Image: We Buy Cars)

“Five years ago it was me, a laptop and a shipping container at the yard. The plan was simple. Buy cars properly, pay people fairly and do the paperwork right. That has not changed.”

Jack, Mick's son, sat in the boat in the same seat and pose in August 2026 (Image: We Buy Cars)

The business has received 190 Google and Trustpilot reviews, including a five-star average on Google.

The transporter today, a 1970s classic aboard, the same sort of cars that crossed the AMCO forecourt fifty years ago (Image: We Buy Cars)

It is supported by John’s partner Elizabeth, who helps across the business; sister Katie, who leads marketing and events; stepbrother Jack, who repairs vehicles and manages fabrication; mother Helen, who coordinates collections and drop-offs; and Thomas, partner of John’s sister Lucy, who maintains the fleet.

A Porsche 911 riding the transporter - there were Porsche's crossing the Allendale forecourt in Mick's day too (Image: We Buy Cars)

We Buy Cars has also supported grassroots football, foodbanks and local schools, while becoming known for its playful local promotions. These include a miniature recovery truck with a branded toy car, a giant inflatable gorilla at the county show, a black cat at Halloween and Santa-hat-wearing vans during the Christmas truck convoy.

A Mercedes SL under the Allendale Motor Co sign itself (Image: We Buy Cars)

John said: "I grew up here and played for these clubs as a kid. Kit sponsorship would have meant a lot to my family back then, so being able to do it now has been the best part of the whole five years.

Mick passed away in November 2024 (Image: We Buy Cars)

“Keep your overheads low, and treat people the way you would want to be treated. That was Mick’s advice, and it still runs the business today.”