A ute was thought to have been stolen after it was mistaken for another vehicle by an apprentice mechanic.

Josh Bingham said he completed his shift at a Noosaville Brewery about 8pm on January 10, when he discovered his Toyota HiLux missing and reported it as stolen.

Josh Bingham (left) and a workmate in his ute that was mistakenly taken. Credit:Nina Stanyer

“I left the brewery and walked outside to where the car was and it was taken, I was in such shock,” he said.

At the time, Mr Bingham had no idea how far away his car was and hoped he could find it before it was wrecked by potential thieves.