A Bristol man dealt Class A drugs to pay for his car's MOT, a court heard.
David Chapple owed his drug dealer the money and agreed to push heroin and cocaine, Bristol Crown Court was told.
The 61-year-old, of Southernhay, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply heroin and cocaine on May 30 last year.
The recorder Miss Anna Midgley jailed him for two years and four months.
She told him: "You accepted dealing.
"You were trying to pay off a debt.
"Your dealer offered to make your car roadworthy.
"He charged you money and you could not pay it back."
Naomi Aylwin, prosecuting via video, said plain-clothes police in Staple Hill spotted a man and woman in a Ford Focus on May 30 last year
He said someone leaned into the vehicle and they suspected a drug deal.
Police followed the Focus to Southernhay, the court heard.
When questioned a woman in the front passenger seat said wraps of heroin and cocaine on her were for personal use.
Chapple, who was driving the car, was found with 65 wraps of heroin and cocaine with a street value of £650.
He also had a mobile phone containing evidence of selling Class A drugs.
Miss Aylwin said: "He said he had been selling drugs for an acquaintance with whom he was in a 'bit of trouble'.
"He said it was a massive man who he was scared of and he felt threatened.
"He said he was a user himself."
Giles Tippett, defending, said his client had turned to drugs after struggling to cope due to bereavement.
Mr Tippett said: "His dealer noticed he had a car.
"His dealer sorted his MOT out.
"He was sucked in as he had to pay off a debt."
Mr Tippett said his client conceded his actions caused a ripple effect both for his family and society.
