UK’S top 1% of Automotive retailers crowned at 2026 Autotrader Retailer Awards
The UK’s leading automotive retailers gathered in Manchester yesterday for the 2026 Autotrader Retailer Awards, with just 31 winners emerging from around 14,000 Autotrader retailer partners.
Now in their 19th year, the Autotrader Retailer Awards celebrate the businesses and individuals setting the standard across automotive retail. Around 14,000 Autotrader retailer partners were narrowed down to just 93 finalists across nine different award categories, with only 31 ultimately crowned winners following a combination of in-depth analysis of millions of data points, independent expert judging and the results of the UK’s largest consumer mystery-shopping programme among automotive retailers.
Among the headline winners were Thame Cars, Acklam Cars and Carlingo, which were named small, medium and large independent Car Retailers of the Year respectively, while 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, determined through Autotrader’s mystery-shopping programme, recognised retailers demonstrating the highest standards of responsiveness, service and customer care. The 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.
This year’s independently judged awards also recognised retailers making an impact across their businesses, people and communities. 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.
‘Inspirational and resilient leadership’
Amanda Spensley, Managing Director of Wynyard Motor Company, was named Woman of the Year, recognising her leadership during an exceptionally challenging period for the business. Amanda was recognised for unexpectedly taking over the business and maintaining its stability while improving internal processes, strengthening its culture and putting stronger foundations in place for future growth.
Commenting on Amanda Spensley’s achievement, Julia Muir, founder of the Automotive 30% Club, said: “Amanda’s story is one of inspirational and resilient leadership. She stepped forward during an exceptionally challenging period and not only protected the future of the business, but strengthened its processes, culture and foundations for growth. Her determination, effectiveness as a leader and commitment to her team make her an outstanding role model and a thoroughly deserving winner of the Woman of the Year Award.”
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.
This year marked the first time the awards had been held in Manchester, with around 120 retailers gathering at Co-op Live for the ceremony.
Winners of the 2026 Autotrader Retailer Awards:
Retailer of the Year Award
Customer Experience Award
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