A driver was left furious when her Land Rover was stolen from a car dealership while waiting for its MOT.
Tracey Holmes bought the £35k Land Rover Discovery around four years ago and has always taken it to Stratstone Land Rover car dealership in time for its MOT.
But the service became one like no other when the 47-year-old received a phone call to inform her that her car had been snatched from the site, reports Teesside Live.
Tracey, from Stratstone, who uses the car every day to travel for her job in Middlesbrough, was left "stunned and devastated" by the incident and has made a desperate plea for her car's safe return.
Cleveland Police confirmed officers were called to reports that a black Land Rover Discovery was stolen in the early hours of Tuesday morning and said that enquiries are ongoing.
Tracey said she took the car into the Preston Farm site around 4pm on Monday, and was leaving it overnight ahead of a trip to Hull for her job the following morning.
She claimed she dropped the car off and signed the key over before leaving the site.
"I was in Hull, and just after 10am and I got a phone call from their customer relations," she said.
"He said 'could you advise us where you have parked your car?' and I explained where I had parked it in their forecourt.
"I said 'I don't think it will be there now because the lady told me you would be moving it into a more secure compound out the back'.'
When Tracey asked what the problem was, she was told: "Your car has been pinched".
She added: "I honestly thought I was getting a prank played on me. I really did."
Tracey claimed she was told her car was not taken to the dealership's secure compound after being informed that it would be.
She also said she had "no empathy" from the dealership and hadn't received an apology.
"I was stunned but I was devastated," she said.
"You put your car into a garage to keep it legal on the road and then you get a call to say it's been pinched while it has been put into their hands."
Tracey thinks the dealership should provide her with a courtesy car while the incident is dealt with, as she is concerned about losing income with not being able to travel to work.
She added: "I'm not wanting anything flash. I'll have whatever you will give me that has got four wheels and it works!"
Cleveland Police said it was called to reports of a stolen Black Land Rover Discovery in the early hours of April 25, from Stratstone Land Rover dealership in Stockton.
A spokesperson said: "Enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with information should contact us on 101, quoting reference number 078056."
Stratstone Land Rover declined to comment when contacted by TeessideLive. However, motor retailer head office Pendragon confirmed the incident.
A spokesman said: "We have been made aware of this incident and are working closely with local police to investigate the situation further."
The Mirror Online has contacted Stratstone Land Rover for comment.
