Derek Mathewson’s net worth is estimated to be between £5 million and £10 million as of 2026. While online sources vary, his wealth is anchored by the massive success of Mathewsons Auctions Ltd and the record-breaking run of Series 13 of Bangers & Cash on the U&Yesterday channel.
Derek Mathewson 2026: Key Financial & Business Facts
| Feature | 2026 Status |
| Estimated Net Worth | £5 Million – £10 Million |
| TV Status | Bangers & Cash Series 13 (Airing Now) |
| Auction Scale | 900+ Lots per month (3-Day Sales) |
| Primary Location | Pickering & Thornton-le-Dale, N. Yorks |
| Active Generation | 3 Generations (Derek, Sons & Grandsons) |
For those who don’t know him from telly, Derek is the star of Bangers and Cash on the Yesterday channel. It is essentially he and his sons buying old cars, auctioning them off and making decent telly out of it. But he was minted long before the cameras arrived.
Started Young With Cars
As of February 2026, Derek Mathewson’s is 74, born October 13, 1951. He restored his first car at the age of 16, which seems crazy to think about now, doesn’t it? Many 16-year-olds can hardly change a tyre. Derek was rebuilding entire cars.
Set up Mathewsons in 1970 at the age of just 19. Began selling contemporary cars and commercial vehicles in Bedfordshire. Earned a good name very quickly. But even back then, his showrooms were full of vintage and classic cars. That’s where his heart was.
The business has been going for over 50 years now. Same family running it. Derek’s still involved even though his sons do most of the work these days.
Derek Mathewson’s Family Built The Business
Derek Mathewson’s wife is Sue. She’s been with him throughout the whole journey. They’ve been married for decades, though Derek keeps his personal life quite private, so exact dates are hard to find.
Derek Mathewson’s children are two sons, Paul and Dave. Both work in the family business. You see them on Bangers and Cash all the time, talking to customers, arranging auctions, and driving cars around. It’s a proper family affair.
Some people also believe that Derek Mathewson’s daughter, Sarah Crabtree from the show, is actually his daughter. She’s not. Sarah was formerly the office manager at Mathewsons but decided to leave to launch her own business, Evoke Classics. She has repeatedly specified on her site that she is not married to Derek and is not at all related to the family. People just assumed because she was on the show so much.
Derek Mathewson’s grandchildren include a granddaughter called Amy, who turned 18 recently. Derek and Sue celebrated her birthday together. Beyond that, he keeps his grandkids out of the public eye, which is fair enough.
Derek Mathewson’s Car Collection Is Massive
Derek Mathewson’s car collection has over 100 classic cars in it. Over 100! Most people struggle to afford one classic car. Derek’s got a whole bloody collection of them.
His favourite is apparently a 1965 Ford Mustang, though with 100 cars to choose from, that could change depending on his mood. Classic & Sports Car magazine did a whole feature on touring his personal garage. The cars in there are worth an absolute fortune.
Some of those early cars he bought back in the 1970s are still in his collection. Imagine buying a car 50 years ago, and it’s now worth ten times what you paid. That’s proper investment, that is.
Where Derek Mathewson’s Net Worth Actually Comes From
He derives his riches from three primary sources. First, Mathewsons Auctions Ltd. Every year they auction thousands of cars and automotive memorabilia from their Pickering and Thornton-le-Dale sites. By early 2026, the business continues to see massive turnover, with monthly auctions now spanning three-day windows to accommodate over 900 lots per sale. Each auction brings in significant commission, which has compounded over his 50-year career.
Second, the television revenue. The hit show Bangers & Cash premiered its 13th series in February 2026 on the U&Yesterday channel. The show’s longevity—with over 200 episodes commissioned through 2028—provides a steady stream of “telly money.” Furthermore, the spin-off Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics is also in its 8th series as of 2026, adding another layer to his media earnings.
Third, his personal car collection. Classic cars generally go up in value if you look after them properly. Derek’s got over 100 of them appreciating. That’s not liquid cash he can spend, but it’s wealth on paper.
Some sources reckon Derek Mathewson’s net worth is as high as £10 million. Others suggest a more conservative £4 million to £6 million. Truth is, calculating a precise net worth is tricky when so much is tied up in classic cars; the value of a 1960s rarity depends entirely on the market at the time of the hammer fall.
Bangers and Cash Changed Everything
Derek Mathewson’s wife is Sue, who remains a core support behind the scenes. His sons, Paul and Dave, are now Active Directors of Mathewsons Auctions Ltd, taking on the bulk of the daily operations. The next generation is also involved, with Derek’s grandsons, Charlie and Jack, now frequently appearing on screen and working within the family trade.
A common misconception involves Sarah Crabtree. While Sarah was the beloved office manager during the early seasons, she left the show over four years ago. As of 2026, she is a Director and Brand Ambassador at Evoke Classics, an online auction hub. She remains a friend of the classic car community but has repeatedly clarified that she is not related to the Mathewson family by blood or marriage.
Growing The Business in 2026
Derek continues to adapt the business. In 2026, Mathewsons has fully embraced “Live Online” bidding, allowing international buyers to compete for Yorkshire barn finds in real-time.
The company has also expanded its physical footprint, utilizing a large site in Pickering for vehicle storage and viewing, while keeping the iconic Thornton-le-Dale shop as a “destination” for fans of the show.
What Makes Him Different
Loads of people deal in classic cars. Loads of auction houses exist. What makes Derek different is that he genuinely loves what he does. You can tell by watching the show. He lights up talking about a 1950s Austin or a rusty old Land Rover.
He’s also built a proper family business. Not some corporate thing where everyone hates each other. Derek Mathewson’s family actually work together and seems to get on. That’s quite rare in family businesses, honestly.
Plus, he’s Yorkshire. Doesn’t mince words. Says what he thinks. Doesn’t pretend to be something he’s not. People like that authenticity, especially on telly, where everything’s usually fake as hell.
The Bottom Line On His Wealth
So Derek Mathewson’s net worth is somewhere between £4 million and £10 million, depending on who you ask and how you value his car collection. Either way, the bloke’s done alright for himself.
Started at 16 restoring cars. He founded his business at 19. Ran it for 50 years. Built it into a proper, successful auction house. Got a telly show out of it. Collected 100 classic cars. Raised two sons who now run the business with him. Not a bad life’s work, that.
And he’s still going. Still turning up at auctions. Still on telly. Still buying and selling cars. At 73, most people are fully retired. Derek’s still at it because he actually enjoys what he does. That’s probably worth more than any amount of money, really.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Derek Mathewson’s net worth in 2026?
While exact figures are private, estimates place Derek Mathewson’s net worth between £5 million and £10 million. This includes his 50-year-old auction business, his personal collection of 100+ classic cars, and his lucrative multi-series TV contracts.
Is Sarah Crabtree related to Derek Mathewson?
No. Despite popular rumors, Sarah Crabtree is not Derek’s daughter or wife. She was the office manager at Mathewsons but moved on to co-found Evoke Classics several years ago.
How old is Derek Mathewson?
As of February 2026, Derek Mathewson is 74 years old. He was born on October 13, 1951.
How many series of Bangers & Cash are there?
As of early 2026, there are 13 series of the main show. The network (UKTV/U) has already commissioned enough episodes to keep the show on air until at least 2028.
Where is Derek Mathewson’s auction house located?
The business operates primarily out of Thornton-le-Dale (museum and shop) and Pickering (main auction site and vehicle storage) in North Yorkshire.
Sources & Fact-Checking
- Mathewsons Auctions Ltd: Official Auction Results & Pickering Site Expansion (Accessed Feb 2026)
- U&Yesterday: Bangers & Cash Series 13 Official Broadcast Schedule
- UK Companies House: Mathewsons Financial Filings 2024-2025
- Evoke Classics: Sarah Crabtree Director Profile & Statement
- Classic & Sports Car Magazine: Feature: Inside Derek Mathewson’s Personal Collection
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