Wondering what happened to Sarah Crabtree after she waved goodbye to Bangers & Cash?. The blonde lass from the auction office became a firm favourite, so when she vanished from our screens in 2021, the rumour mill went into overdrive. The truth, though, is far better than the gossip.
- Sarah Crabtree is a classic car expert from Hull, not a Mathewson.
- She worked as an office manager at Mathewsons from 2016 for four years.
- She left Bangers & Cash in May 2021 — and no, she wasn’t sacked.
- She’s now Sales Director at online auction firm Evoke Classics.
- She drives “Ivan”, a 1980 Morris Ital, and backs two charities
Who Is Sarah Crabtree?
Sarah is a well-known British telly star, businesswoman and classic car expert from Hull, who carved out a successful career in a competitive industry. The Sun reports she graduated from Wolfreton School back in 1986, then started her working life in 2009 as a manager at The Chocolate Factory, where she stayed for seven years.
In 2016 she joined Mathewsons Classic Cars and spent four years there. She wasn’t a “cast member” of Bangers & Cash, mind — it was a fly-on-the-wall series about the Mathewson auction house, and they simply filmed her getting on with her job as office manager.
The show itself centred on the family’s 1930s garage, on the edge of the North York Moors, in Thornton-le-Dale. Dad Derek ran the gavel, helped by sons Paul and Dave, plus grandsons Charlie and Jack.
Why Did Sarah Crabtree Leave Bangers & Cash?
Let’s bin the biggest myth first: she wasn’t sacked. Sarah left Bangers & Cash in May 2021 after series four, marking it with an Instagram post joking there’d be no more Crabbers on the tellybox.
On her own Evoke Classics bio, she sets the record straight in her own words: “I wasn’t fired or made redundant, let’s just say that my time at Mathewson’s had simply run its course.”
So no family fallout, no bust-up with Derek — just a smart career move towards a role with proper leadership.
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Where Is Sarah Crabtree Now?
These days Sarah is sales director and brand ambassador at Evoke Classics, an online auction company and hub for classic enthusiasts (registered as CPN Classic Limited). Records held by Companies House confirm she became an active director on 31 August 2021.
She’s thrown herself into the industry’s digital shift, curating high-profile lots on an online-first platform. In November 2025 she handled the sale of a rare 14-carat “Wedding Collection” — proof she can juggle big commercial consignments.
As she puts it, her job means she gets to “speak to friendly folk every day about classics. Perfect!” A piece on a UK blog post sums up the leap nicely: at Mathewsons she was gatekeeper of the office; at Evoke she’s the gatekeeper of the brand.
The Story Behind “Ivan”
You can’t talk about Sarah without mentioning Ivan, her Russet Brown 1980 Morris Ital 1.3 HL. In a world obsessed with E-Types and Astons, picking a humble British Leyland saloon says everything about her genuine passion.
Her love of motors started young. As she’s explained, her dad once drove a Ford Zephyr, but:
“He sold that to buy a succession of British Leyland vehicles that were more practical for a family. So, when I was growing up, we used Marinas, Maxis and a Montego coloured in white and rust. I remember that we could see the road through the floor with one Morris!”
On how she fell into the trade, she recalls:
“It was many moons ago now. My first job in the car industry was at a very well-known classic auction house in North Yorkshire! I’d always been a bit of a petrolhead with a thing for motorcycles, so it was pretty much a dream job for me. I’m very lucky to have stayed in the auction industry and to be working with a fab team of like-minded folk.”
She’s also keen to set the record straight on the job itself, reckoning the main misconception is that “many people just see the hammer prices, forgetting that the auctioneer earns just a tiny slice of that in commission”.
Charity Work And A Health Battle
Sarah’s post-telly journey hasn’t all been about cars. In late 2021 and early 2022 she suffered a severe bout of sepsis, a life-threatening reaction to infection.
Since recovering, she’s campaigned hard for the UK Sepsis Trust and continues to back the Bone Cancer Research Trust, often turning her car meets into fundraisers. No wonder interest in her keeps climbing; a profile on Next Article notes thousands now search online for updates on her career and life.
Catch Her In Person
Good news for fans — she’s more accessible now than in her TV days. Sarah is a confirmed guest at the NEC Classic Car & Restoration Show 2026, where you’ll find her on the Volvo Owners Club Stand in Hall 4, signing magazines and having a natter.
She’s also a regular at the Festival of the Unexceptional, which celebrates everyday classics – bang on brand. She stays “super optimistic” too:
“Our hobby will continue unscathed by any legislation. Interest in classics will ebb and flow as it always has, creating trends for certain makes and models. We just have to keep up with the times and try to predict what the next big thing is going to be!”
ALSO READ: Christine Trevelyan: Meet BBC Bargain Hunt Star | A Real Auction Expert
FAQs
Q1. Is Sarah Crabtree Related To The Mathewsons?
No. Sarah was never part of the family. She worked for them as office manager for four years, but there’s no family link at all.
Q2. Was Sarah Crabtree Sacked From Bangers & Cash?
No. She left in May 2021 of her own accord to take a new role, saying her time at Mathewsons had simply run its course.
Q3. Is Sarah Crabtree Married?
She keeps her private life quiet. She has never been married to any of the Mathewson family and doesn’t share her relationship status publicly.
Q4. What Car Does Sarah Crabtree Own?
She owns “Ivan”, a Russet Brown 1980 Morris Ital 1.3 HL. You can see lots more of him over on her YouTube channel.
Q5. Where Is Sarah Crabtree From?
Sarah hails from Hull and is a proud northern lass. Evoke Classics is registered down south, but her role is largely remote and travel-based.
Q6. How Old Is Sarah Crabtree?
Her exact age isn’t public. She jokes she’s “definitely not in her mid-30s”, though she’s happy to keep that myth going!
Sources & References
- The Sun. (2026). Who is Sarah Crabtree and where is she now?
- Next Article. (2026). Sarah Crabtree net worth, career and life details.
- UK Blog Post. (2026). Mathewsons’ Sarah Crabtree: The truth behind her exit.
- Evoke Classics. (2026). Sarah Crabtree: Sales director and brand ambassador at Evoke Classics.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended as a promotion or endorsement of any individual, company, or platform mentioned. All details are based on publicly available sources at the time of writing. Readers should independently verify information before relying on it for any decisions.
