AN ELDERLY man ‘had mistaken his throttle for a brake pedal’ and crashed into an MOT test centre. 

A.M Autos in Ringwood Trading Estate, Ringwood, is closed after Chrysler Voyager people carrier ploughed into the garage. 

The building has been fenced off and closed since the crash on Tuesday with the car remaining in place on Saturday morning, February 24. 

Garage owner Alan Milford said the insurance company won’t let him trade because of structural damage caused by the crash. 

Bournemouth Echo: The car is left holding the building up

The Echo contacted the garage and in a voicemail message, Alan apologised to his customers for the “big inconvenience”. 

He said: “Unfortunately, at the moment we’re closed due to a customer dropping the car off and, being elderly, has hit the throttle instead of the brake and going right through the front of the building which has taken out the main pillar and the whole front is just about warn off. 

“[The] insurance company won't let us work in here at the moment so we're in a bit of a dilemma waiting for them to see how long they're going to take and where we are. 

“I can only apologise and obviously it's a big inconvenience for all my customers and for us and we'll certainly get back in contact and we'll be trading again.  

“But I just can't say how long at the moment. I'm sorry for any inconvenience. Thank you.” 

A spokesman for Hampshire Police said: “We were called to a report of a single-vehicle collision on Christchurch Road, Ringwood at 10.20pm on Tuesday, February 21. 

“The vehicle involved – a Chrysler – collided with AM Autos on Ringwood Trading Estate. No injuries were reported.” 

He added there were no arrests made. 

A.M Autos is a family-run garage and MOT test centre established in 1990 and is described as “your go-to garage for all your vehicle needs in Ringwood and the surrounding areas”. 

Its website says: “Our owner, Alan Milford, has been in the automotive industry since 1978, starting as an apprentice at Matchams garage in Ringwood.  

“He has worked on a wide range of vehicles from Mercedes and Porsches to Rolls-Royces and many more.  

“After gaining valuable experience, he started his own garage in 1990 and eventually moved it back to the Ringwood area. 

“At A.M. Autos, we offer a comprehensive range of services including repairs, servicing, MOT, tyres, and tuning remaps.  

“We take great pride in our work and always strive to provide our customers with the highest quality service.”