The UK’s automotive retailers attended the 2026 Autotrader Retailer Awards in Manchester yesterday.
Around 14,000 Autotrader retailer partners were narrowed down to just 93 finalists across nine different award categories, with only 31 crowned winners.
Nathan Coe, Chief Executive Officer at Autotrader, said: “Every year, these awards give us the chance to celebrate the retailers setting the pace across the automotive industry.
“Reaching the final is an achievement in itself: the process is rigorous, independent and grounded in data, fact and real customer experiences.
“To emerge as one of just 31 winners from around 14,000 retailer partners is exceptional, and reflects the hard work, innovation and commitment each of this year’s winners brings to delivering for car buyers.”
Thame Cars, Acklam Cars and Carlingo were named small, medium and large independent Car Retailers of the Year respectively.
Horizon – Magna Motor Group, Sinclair Group and Vertu Motors plc took the equivalent franchise titles.
Vines Group was named New Car Retailer of the Year, whilst Bridgend Van Centre, Iver Van Sales and David Spear took the three Van Retailer of the Year awards.
The Customer Experience Awards car winners were Bournemouth Car Sales, Frosts of Chichester and Carlingo in the independent categories, and Hatfields, Brayleys Cars Ltd and Group 1 Automotive in the franchise categories.
Q Performance Ltd won the inaugural Impact Award, Solo Car Sales took the Momentum Award, Drive Green won the Sustainability Award, Grainger Motor Group was named winner of the People First Award and AZ Autos received the Game Changer Award.
Amanda Spensley, managing director of Wynyard Motor Company, was named Woman of the Year.
