Freeths advises on the sale of Motor Parts Direct

Freeths has advised Motor Parts Direct, a retailer of after-market car parts and accessories, on its £182m sale to South Africa's leading automotive group Motus Holdings.

Motor Parts Direct is a business-to-business parts distribution specialist with 175 branches nationwide and more than 1,700 employees. The privately-owned Hertfordshire-based company focuses on supplying motor vehicle parts, primarily to the passenger and light commercial vehicle sector, to workshops in and around the UK.This acquisition will see Motus' UK further expand its European presence and provide it with a strong market position in the UK after-market parts sector.Freeths legal team was led by Corporate Partner Jonathan Hambleton and Corporate Director James Cowell, together with Real Estate Partner, Sam Pancholi.Commenting on the deal, Sam Pancholi said: “We are delighted to have acted for Motor Parts Direct on this sale. As a long-standing client, it has been fantastic to see the business go from strength to strength culminating in this sale.”Other advisers for Motor Parts Direct included Grant Thornton Partners Mike Tillson and Ryan Shields who were assisted by Calum McDonald and Misha Brooks.Motus Holdings was advised by a team from law firm Irwin Mitchell led by Emma Callow.