Acquisition

Lookers PLC
31 January 2005

                                                                 31 January 2005


                  LOOKERS PLC BUYS LEADING USED CAR SUPERMARKET


Acquisition

Lookers plc, one of the UK's top ten new and used car retailers, has completed
the acquisition of Bristol Trade Centre, a leading used car supermarket.

The move gives Lookers a significant presence in the used car supermarket sector
and is in line with the group's stated strategy of broadening its revenue
streams in the automotive industry.

Ken Surgenor, Lookers chief executive, said: 'We announced some time ago our
intention to strengthen our used car operations and the acquisition of Bristol
Trade Centre is the first step in that process. We believe Lookers should
develop broad revenue streams from all sectors of the automotive industry,
alongside the continuing development of our franchised car retailing business.'

Last year Lookers completed the purchase of FPS Distribution Ltd, the leading
wholesale distributor of vehicle parts to the UK automotive aftermarket.

Bristol Trade Centre is a well established and successful operator in the
independent used car supermarket sector and has been trading for over 10 years.
Lookers plc is paying approximately £8.5m for the trading name and assets of the
business from the current partners.

The purchase includes the four acre site in St George, Bristol from where
Bristol Trade Centre sells around 4000 used cars a year. The acquisition will
add around £35m to Lookers plc turnover and should be earnings enhancing from
the outset.

The newly acquired business will continue to trade under its existing name as a
separate division within Lookers plc. Senior operational management will remain
in place.

Mr Surgenor said: 'Bristol Trade Centre is a well known and well respected brand
in the region with over 250,000 satisfied customers. There is nothing to be
gained from changing the name. We will continue to develop our own UseDirect
brand when and where the right opportunity arises and it is already proving
successful in Northern Ireland and Scotland.'

Bristol Trade Centre has up to seven hundred used cars on display at any one
time. It specialises in affordable, high quality used cars in the traditional
three-year old market with special offers on selected nearly-new vehicles. It is
particularly strong in the prestige used car market.

Following the acquisition, it will also have access to several thousand vehicles
within the enlarged Group.

Cars undergo a 130-point safety and service check accredited by the RAC. The
company is a licensed credit broker, is approved under the recently introduced
FSA regulations and offers a wide range of financial and insurance services,
including a 'Buy & Drive Away Today' facility.


MG Rover

Lookers also announces that it has given two years notice in accordance with its
Franchise Agreement to exit from its four MG Rover outlets.

Lookers will continue to work with MG Rover during this transition period to
protect the best interests of our mutual customers.

Further information regarding this, together with the full results and
preliminary announcement will be released on 21 March 2005.


                                     -ends-



For further information:

Ken Surgenor, Lookers Chief Executive                           0161 291 0043
David Dyson, Lookers Finance Director                           0161 291 0043
James Hill, gcg hudson sandler                                  020 7796 4133



                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange