A dealership has finally been able to sell one of its cars after it was clamped by the DVLA.

Staff at Strood Motor Centre initially thought it was a prank when they arrived at work to find a clamp on a Fiat 500.

The dealership, in Gravesend Road in Strood, has a black metal fence that surrounds the forecourt – but owns a strip of land between the fence and the pavement where it parks vehicles for sale.

Five of its cars were parked outside the railings, but only the Fiat 500 model was clamped.

Speaking to KentOnline, Max Mannouch, head of social media and marketing, described his reaction when he discovered the car on Thursday, August 31.

He said: “We all thought it was a joke at first. I actually believed it was a prank by one of my colleagues.

“I then noticed it was a clamp from the DVLA.

“We had a customer come to view the car that day and unfortunately we couldn’t sell it to them.”

The 21-year-old also explained how the section between the fence and the curb was owned by them.

He added: “It’s frustrating. They have trespassed onto our land to clamp the car.

“We are well within rights to remove it ourselves but they will fine us £1,000 – that’s crazy.”

The team called the DVLA to complain but was told it would need to provide proof that the land belonged to the company.

KentOnline was told by the DVLA that the action was taken by its partner NSL Services Ltd, the national wheelclamping contractor.

A spokesman from NSL said: “Whilst we are unable to comment on individual cases, we understand that the vehicle in question has been declamped.”

After providing deeds of the land and photos as evidence, the dealership has since received an apology.

Manager Russell Cox said: “They sent a letter to us, saying that they genuinely thought it was on a public highway.

“Maybe it is a new company they are using that is a bit overeager.

“Still doesn’t answer the fact that they only clamped one.”

The firm has owned the site since the 80s and has always parked vehicles there.

The clamp was removed last Tuesday (September 5).

“I saw one of their recovery vehicles parked out with its lights flashing,” Russell added.

‘They sent a letter to us, saying that they genuinely thought it was on a public highway.’

“I wanted to go out and look, but was with a customer at the time.

“Next thing he was going up the road with the clamp under his arm.”

The Fiat 500 has now been sold and is set to be picked up by its new owner today – who actually bought the vehicle before it had been declamped.

Strood Motor Centre confirmed they will not be seeking compensation after the incident.