Luxury dealership in receivership

A luxury car dealership in Petone has been placed into receivership by a finance company amid suggestions the owner has left the country.

Iain Shephard and Jessica Kellow, of BDO Wellington, were appointed as receivers and managers of O’Reilly’s Garage on October 21.

The finance firm appointed the receivers under the powers of a general security deed dated July 26, 2022, granted by O’Reilly’s Garage in relation to all of its present and after-acquired property, the notice of appointment says.

Simon O’Reilly is the sole director of O’Reilly’s Garage Limited, which was incorporated in 2017, and holds 99 of its 100 shares. 

The New Zealand Companies Register shows the last annual return for the business was filed in May this year.

Recent news reports have suggested O’Reilly has moved out of his Wellington home and is rumoured to be in Europe.

The dealership’s website is still live but has no vehicles listed for sale, while its Hutt Road showroom has closed and is being marketed for lease by Bayleys.

O’Reilly’s Garage’s LinkedIn page also remains active and says the business stocked “some of the best models from the world’s finest car manufacturers”.

“In an era where modern franchise dealerships can be very impersonal, O’Reilly’s Garage was conceived to offer a more personalised boutique experience for clients who are passionate about quality cars and expect the highest levels of service,” it continues.