Derek Mathewson is the plain-talking Yorkshire auctioneer who turned a family passion for classic cars into one of Britain’s most beloved TV shows. But behind the hammer and the barn finds, there’s a 50-year story of grit, family, and a genuine love for motors that few people fully know.
Whether you’ve just discovered Bangers & Cash on the Yesterday channel or you’re a die-hard fan who’s watched every series, this article covers everything — his age, net worth, family, and the moments that defined his career.
Quick Answer: Derek Mathewson is a British classic car auctioneer and TV personality born on 13 October 1951. He is the founder of Mathewsons Classic Vehicle Auctions in North Yorkshire and the star of Bangers & Cash on UKTV’s Yesterday channel. As of 2026, he is 74 years old.
Who Is Derek Mathewson?
Derek Mathewson is a UK classic car specialist, auctioneer, and television personality. With over 50 years in the motor trade, Derek has spent his life buying, selling, restoring, and celebrating everything from modest barn finds to pristine Aston Martins.
His trademark Yorkshire humour, straight-talking honesty, and deep automotive knowledge have made him a household name among car enthusiasts.
He is not a polished TV creation. Derek was already a well-established figure in the classic car world long before cameras ever arrived at his auction yard.
Derek Mathewson Age and Early Life
Derek Mathewson was born on 13 October 1951 and is approximately 74 years old as of 2026.
He grew up in Bedfordshire, where his fascination with engines started young. He restored his first car at the age of 16 — remarkable for a teenager in the early 1960s.
He set up Mathewsons in 1970 at the age of just 19, beginning with contemporary cars and commercial vehicles in Bedfordshire.
That early start set the tone for everything that followed. Derek wasn’t handed a business — he built one from scratch, from the ground up, with spanners and instinct.
How Mathewsons Auctions Was Built
From Bedfordshire to North Yorkshire
In 1988, the family relocated to North Yorkshire. Their Scarborough-based garage was purchased that same year, followed by a Malton garage in 1990 and then a Pickering garage in 1992.
The move was a turning point. North Yorkshire gave Derek space — both physical and creative — to lean fully into classic and vintage vehicles.
The Classic Car Pivot
The 1990s saw the business predominantly operating two main dealer franchises — KIA and Skoda — with the classic and vintage side very secondary.
That changed in 2011, when Mathewsons launched its dedicated classic car auctions. The timing was perfect. The UK classic car market was growing, and Derek’s reputation meant buyers trusted what they were bidding on.
The Business Today
Nine auctions are now held annually, with entry lot numbers continuing to rise. Currently, Mathewsons handles a wide range of memorabilia together with around 4,000 vehicles each year — a mixture of lorries, tractors, cars, and motorbikes.
That scale is extraordinary for a family-run operation. Most UK auction houses of similar size are corporate entities. Mathewsons remains a family affair.
Derek Mathewson Bangers and Cash
How the Show Began
In 2019, Mathewsons were approached by two separate TV companies within months of each other. They chose to work with producer Andy Joynson of Air TV / UKTV.
Derek initially thought it would be a massive invasion of privacy and expected it to be similar to supplying cars for dramas like Heartbeat and Brideshead. The team at Air TV and Yesterday eventually convinced him otherwise.
It was a reluctant yes that became a smash hit.
Why the Show Works
The series offers viewers a rare behind-the-scenes look at Mathewsons Classic Vehicle Auctions, from uncovering forgotten classics hidden in barns to the high-stakes drama of the auction floor.
The show attracted an impressive average of over 500,000 viewers per episode.
Derek’s appeal is simple: he isn’t performing. He genuinely loves what he does, and that reads on screen in a way that manufactured TV personalities cannot replicate.
Series Timeline
| Series | Year | Notable Change |
| Series 1 | 2019 | Debut on Yesterday channel |
| Series 5 | 2021 | Show fully established, spin-off announced |
| Series 7 | 2023 | Continued audience growth |
| Series 10 | 2024 | Spin-off Restoring Classics running alongside |
| Series 13 | 2026 | Show still airing, no signs of stopping |
Derek Mathewson Family: Wife, Sons, and Grandchildren
Derek Mathewson Wife
Derek was married to Sue Mathewson for over 40 years. Together, they built the family business, with their two sons, David and Paul, both involved in operations.
In early 2023, Derek’s personal life became the subject of significant media attention following reports of an affair with a younger colleague named Vicki Ivens. The couple subsequently separated.
Derek has since remained private about his personal circumstances, preferring to let the cars do the talking.
Sons Paul and Dave
Derek’s sons Dave and Paul are now active directors of Mathewsons Auctions Ltd, taking on the bulk of daily operations. Both appear regularly on Bangers & Cash and are as comfortable in front of the camera as their father.
Grandchildren
The next generation is also involved, with Derek’s grandsons Charlie and Jack now frequently appearing on screen and working within the family trade.
This is a genuinely rare thing — a four-generation business operating cohesively. It gives Bangers & Cash something no scripted TV drama can manufacture: real family dynamics.
Derek Mathewson Net Worth in 2026
This is one of the most searched questions about Derek, and the honest answer is: no publicly confirmed figure exists.
Estimates across various sources vary considerably. As of 2024, Derek Mathewson net worth is estimated to be between £4 million and £6 million, largely attributed to his success in the classic car auction industry and his television career.
In 2026, Mathewsons has fully embraced live online bidding, allowing international buyers to compete for Yorkshire barn finds in real time — a development that expands the business’s reach and earning potential significantly.
What contributes to his wealth?
- Mathewsons auction commissions from approximately 4,000 vehicles per year
- Television fees from Bangers & Cash across 13+ series
- Spin-off shows including Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics and Under the Bonnet
- Personal classic car collection, valued separately
No verified figure has been confirmed by Derek himself — treat all published estimates accordingly.
What Makes Derek Different from Other Classic Car Dealers
Many people deal in classic cars. Many auction houses exist. So why does Derek Mathewson stand out?
1. Authenticity
He was doing this 30 years before the cameras arrived. The TV show didn’t create his credibility — it revealed it.
2. Accessibility
Unlike corporate auction houses, Mathewsons built its identity on warmth, approachability, and family-centred charm. You don’t need to be a millionaire collector to walk through the door.
3. Range
Derek operates on the basis that there’s something for everyone. Even if someone has multiple vehicles, Mathewsons won’t turn any away — if a seller wants to bring several vehicles, the auction house takes the lot.
4. Heritage
The Mathewsons name today symbolises classic car culture, nostalgia, and true Yorkshire hard work.
5. The next generation is ready
Unlike many family businesses that struggle with succession, Mathewsons has Paul, Dave, Charlie, and Jack all actively involved. The business has a future.
FAQs
How old is Derek Mathewson?
Derek Mathewson was born on 13 October 1951 and is approximately 74 years old as of 2026.
Who is Derek Mathewson wife?
Derek was married to Sue Mathewson for over 40 years. In early 2023, reports emerged of a separation following an affair with a colleague named Vicki Ivens. Derek has not made further public statements about his personal life.
What is Derek Mathewson net worth?
Published estimates suggest a figure between £4 million and £6 million, based on his auction business and television career. No verified figure has been confirmed publicly.
Where is Mathewsons Auctions located?
Mathewsons is based in the picturesque village of Thornton-le-Dale, North Yorkshire. The family relocated there from Bedfordshire in 1988.
How many series of Bangers & Cash have there been?
By 2026, the series has reached its 13th season, showing no signs of stopping.
Does Derek Mathewson have a daughter?
No verified information confirms that Derek Mathewson has a daughter. He has two sons, Paul and Dave.
When did Bangers & Cash first air?
In 2019, Derek Mathewson and his family-run business stepped into the national spotlight with the debut of Bangers & Cash on UKTV’s Yesterday channel.
Conclusion
Derek Mathewson is one of those rare television personalities who was already the real thing before the cameras arrived. A 50-year career in the motor trade, a family business built from nothing in Bedfordshire and grown into a North Yorkshire institution, and a genuine passion for preserving automotive heritage — none of that was manufactured for TV.
Bangers & Cash simply showed the world what the classic car community already knew.
Whether you’re searching for Derek Mathewson net worth, curious about his family, or just want to know more about the man behind the hammer, one thing is clear: this is a story built on hard work, family, and an awful lot of rust.
Want to attend a Mathewsons auction in person? Visit mathewsons.co.uk for upcoming auction dates and lot previews.
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