Full-year pretax profit totaled £3.3m, up from £3.1m in 2003, with sales up 1.7 per cent to £155.7m. However, the group made a pretax loss of £2.1m on its MG Rover franchises and has closed dealerships in Seaford and Ramsgate but secured alternative franchises elsewhere. The company's windfall, including interest, from HM Customs and Excise -- on VAT overpaid on demonstrators between 1973-1996 – totaled £3.4m. The group said following a strong March the "outlook remains challenging.”