Entry Deadline: Friday 27 February 2026

Enter Now

View the total of 24 categories available to enter across the Retail or Supplier groups.

Remember to 'save' your entry regularly as you go along!

 If you have any other questions please contact the team.

Retail Awards 

The Aftersales Excellence Award will acknowledge and reward best practices and sales performance in aftersales by independent dealers.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Aftersales Excellence Award

This category is open to standalone sites and groups with judges looking for evidence of profitable sales, good practice and excellent customer service. Entrants will need to show how they engage with their customer base in aftersales from servicing to parts sales and repairs between January and December 2025.

  • Open to independent dealers
  • Entrants can be standalone or multiple sites
  • Entrants need to supply aftersales financial performance and sales figures
  • Entrants need to submit a supporting statement outlining why they should be considered for this award
  • Please submit photos/video of showroom and forecourt to support your entry
  • Please submit financial results for pre-tax profits and turnover for two most recent financial years.
    NOTE: Finance information is confidential and will not be disclosed

The Car Supermarket of the Year Award will acknowledge and reward best practices in the sourcing and selling of nearly-new and used cars by car supermarkets.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Car Supermarket of the Year

This category is open to standalone sites and groups with judges looking for evidence of profitable sales, good stock turn and excellent customer service. Entrants will need to show how they engage with their customer base and are setting standards for best practice between January and December 2025.

  • Open to all car supermarkets
  • Entrants can be standalone sites or groups
  • Entrants need to supply financial performance and sales figures
  • Entrants need to submit a supporting statement outlining why they should be considered for this award
  • Please submit photos/video of showroom and forecourt to support your entry
  • Please submit financial results for pre-tax profits and turnover for two most recent financial years.
    NOTE: Finance information is confidential and will not be disclosed

The Commercial Dealer of the Year award is for the commercial dealer that has implemented the most successful strategy for developing sales and profitability in the past year.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Commercial Dealer of the Year

The winner will be chosen by the panel of judges and presented to the dealer that has set standards competitors would be proud to emulate.

  •  Open to standalone commercial dealers or part of a group
  • The judges are looking for a dealer setting industry best practices
  •  New and used van sales and aftersales will all be evaluated
  •  The winner will be setting industry standards
  • This award will be judged based on the time period of January 2025 to December 2025

The Dealer Investment of the Year Award is open to independent dealerships who have made significant investment in their business over the past year.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Dealer Investment Project of the Year

Judges will look for evidence of independent dealer investment and how it has improved the performance of the business. Investment can be in infrastructure, training, dealer facilities, customer satisfaction, on site facilities, environment. Single-site and multiple site businesses are eligible. Customer testimonials would also support entries.

  • Open to individual and multiple independent dealerships
  • Recognises excellence across marketing, aftersales, used sales and training
  • Local community initiatives and customer testimonials would support entries 
  • Simply follow our criteria headings and tell us how you have excelled in your chosen category.
  • This award will be judged based on the time period of January 2025 to December 2025

The Digital Initiative of the Year award recognises and rewards the best use of digital media.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Digital Initiative of the Year

The judges will be looking for best practice examples of how digital platforms, including social media, mobile apps, online video and live chat, have been used as part of an independent dealer’s digital marketing mix to help drive sales. Entrants need to provide examples of successful campaigns and include URLs where applicable between January and December 2025.

  • Open to independent dealers
  • Entrants can be standalone or multiple sites
  • Entrants need to supply evidence of successful digital marketing campaigns
  • Using our criteria headings please tell us how you have excelled in your digital initiative
  • Please submit financial results for pre-tax profits and turnover for two most recent financial years.
    NOTE: Finance information is confidential and will not be disclosed

This award is open to independent car dealers and looks at the sales and financial performance in their two most recent financial years.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Fastest Growing Dealer of the Year

Judges will be looking for evidence of a clearly planned and executed launch programme supported by the business’s short and long term business aspirations.

Evidence of good sales performance, innovative marketing and entrepreneurial flair will also be assessed for their two most recent financial years. Customer testimonials would also support entries.

  • Open to car retailing sites and their sales and financial performance for their two most recent financial years.
  • Entrants need to show a clearly planned and executed sales programme
  • Judges will look for sites which have displayed innovative marketing and entrepreneurial flair
  • Entrants need to submit a supporting statement outlining why they should be considered for this award
  • Please submit photos/video of showroom and forecourt to support your entry
  • Please submit financial results for pre-tax profits and turnover for two most recent financial years
    NOTE: Finance information is confidential and will not be disclosed

This award reflects on the importance of independent garages and workshops for many independent dealers.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Independent Garage of the Year

Judges will look for evidence of profitable trading as well as high levels of workshop utilization and customer retention. Financial performance figures and customer testimonials need to be supplied.

This category is open to non-franchised individual or multiple sites, which can show they have excelled over the course of 2025.

  • Open to independent, repair garages operating in the UK
  • Entrants can be standalone sites or part of a group
  • Entrants need to supply financial performance figures
  • Simply follow our criteria headings and tell us how as an independent garage you have excelled in your chosen category
  • This award will be judged based on the time period of January 2025 to December 2025
    NOTE: Financial information is highly confidential and will not be discussed or disclosed outside of the judging process

The category is open to sales managers in independent used car dealers.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Independent Sales Manager of the Year

Judges will look for clear evidence of innovative sales programmes, performance and genuine teamwork between January and December 2025.

  • Customer testimonials would also support entries
  • Open to sales teams based at independent dealer sites
  • Judges will be looking for evidence of innovative sales programmes and teamwork
  • Customer testimonials would support entries
  • Using our criteria headings please tell us how you have excelled as an independent sales manager
  • Please submit photos/Video of showroom and forecourt
  • Please submit financial results for pre-tax profits and turnover for two most recent financial years.
    NOTE: Finance information is confidential and will not be disclosed

The Independent Community Dealer of the Year recognises and rewards independent used car dealers who are actively involved in their communities, looking at how a business works within the community for mutual benefit.

£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Independent Community Dealer of the Year

Judges will look for evidence of excellent showroom presentation standards for premium and top end cars between January and December 2025.

  • Single-site businesses and multiple sites are eligible
  • Customer testimonials would also support entries
  • Using our criteria headings please tell us how you have excelled in your community
  • Please submit photos/video of showroom and forecourt to support your entry
  • Please submit financial results for pre-tax profits and turnover for two most recent financial years
    NOTE: Finance information is confidential and will not be disclosed

The Outstanding Achievement Award will go to the person who in the view of the Motor Trader Awards judging panel has most notably raised the profile and enhanced the reputation of independent used car dealers and the independent sector.

If you have a suggestion for an entry into this category, please email john.kirwan@emap.com.

Among the qualities the panel seeks will be high levels of professionalism, innovation and community spirit. The winner will be nominated by the Independent Dealers’ panel of judges. Judges will choose the individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the UK independent car retailing. The panel will reward high levels of professionalism, innovation and community spirit.
This will be assessed between January and December 2025.

This item is not available

Rising Stars is open to employees who have joined the sector in the last five years.  Entrants must be nominated by their managers using the entry form. We want to hear from staff involved in all areas of car retailing from sales and aftersales to administration and management. Please provide a citation of at least 250 words explaining why they should be considered.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Rising Star

  • Rising Stars is open to employees who have joined the sector in the last five years
  • Entrants must be nominated by their managers using the entry form
  • We want to hear from staff involved in all areas of independent car retailing from sales and aftersales to administration and management
  • Please provide a citation of at least 250 words explaining why they should be considered

Our panel of judges will be looking for Independent Dealers who have successfully improved their online presence by reaching audiences engaged with social media platforms.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Social Media Campaign of the Year

Supporting measurement data, including Google Analytics should be included.
This will be assessed between January and December 2025.

  • Open to all independent dealers
  • Supporting measurement data, including Google Analytics, should be included
  • Entrants need to show evidence of best practice
  • Using our criteria headings please tell us how you have excelled in your social media campaigns
  • Please submit photos/video of showroom and forecourt to support your entry
  • Please submit financial results for pre-tax profits and turnover for two most recent financial years.
    NOTE: Finance information is confidential and will not be disclosed

Judges will look for evidence of excellent presentation standards for used EVs.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Used EV Retailer of the Year

Single-site businesses and multiple sites are eligible. This will be assessed between January and December 2025.

  • Recognises excellence across marketing, used car sales and training
  • Using our criteria headings please tell us how you have excelled in your showroom presentation standards for used EVs
  • Please submit photos/video of showroom and forecourt to support your entry
  • Please submit financial results for pre-tax profits and turnover for two most recent financial years.
    NOTE: Finance information is confidential and will not be disclosed

Judges will look for evidence of excellent showroom presentation standards for general sales.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

UK Independent Dealer of the Year (General Sales)

Single-site businesses and multiple sites are eligible. This will be assessed between January and December 2025.

  • Recognises excellence across marketing, used car sales and training.
  • Local community initiatives and customer testimonials would be beneficial to support your entry
  • Using our criteria headings please tell us how you have excelled in your showroom presentation standards for general sales.
  • Please submit photos/video of showroom and forecourt to support your entry
  • Please submit financial results for pre-tax profits and turnover for two most recent financial years.
    NOTE: Finance information is confidential and will not be disclosed

Judges will look for evidence of excellent standards for van sales to businesses and individuals
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

UK Independent Van Dealer of the Year

Single-site businesses and multiple sites are eligible. This will be assessed between January and December 2025.

  • Recognises excellence across marketing, used van sales and training. 
  • Business and retail testimonials would be beneficial to support your entry 
  • Using our criteria headings please tell us how you have excelled in your showroom presentation standards for van sales. 
  • Please submit photos/video of showroom and forecourt to support your entry 
  • Please submit financial results for pre-tax profits and turnover for two most recent financial year

NOTE: Finance information is confidential and will not be disclosed

Open to independent used car dealers this award recognises efforts to promote customer care which have contributed to a business’ profits and success.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

UK Independent Dealer Customer Care Award

Entrants need to demonstrate high levels of customer satisfaction, loyalty and repeat business. Judges will be looking for a business which is setting new benchmarks and raising the professionalism of the sector. Customer testimonials must be included. This will be assessed between January and December 2025.

  • Open to UK independent car dealerships
  • Entrants need to show high levels of customer satisfaction, loyalty and repeat business
  • Testimonials should be included
  • Entrants need to submit a supporting statement outlining why they should be considered for this award
  • Please submit photos/video of showroom and forecourt to support your entry
  • Please submit financial results for pre-tax profits and turnover for two most recent financial years.
    NOTE: Finance information is confidential and will not be disclosed
Sponsored by:

Judges will look for evidence of excellent showroom presentation standards.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

UK Independent Dealer of the Year (Premium Cars)

Single-site businesses and multiple sites are eligible. Customer testimonials would also support entries. This will be assessed between January and December 2025.

  • Recognises excellence across marketing, used car sales and training
  • Local community initiatives and customer testimonials would support entries
  • Using our criteria headings please tell us how you have excelled in your showroom presentation standards for used cars
  • Please submit photos/video of showroom and forecourt to support your entry
  • Please submit financial results for pre-tax profits and turnover for two most recent financial years.
    NOTE: Finance information is confidential and will not be disclosed

Judges will look for excellent functionality, ease of use and regularly refreshed content.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Website of the Year

Entrants should explain what makes their website the best and support their entry with traffic figures. URLs directing our judges to any special features would also be useful. This will be assessed  between January and December 2025.

  • Open to independent vehicle retailers
  • Entrants will need to show excellent functionality, ease of use and regularly refreshed content
  • Traffic figures and URLs to any special features would be useful
  • The website needs to be setting industry standards
  • Using our criteria headings please tell us how you have excelled through the use of your website
  • Please submit photos/video of your website, showroom and forecourt to support your entry
  • Please submit financial results for pre-tax profits and turnover for two most recent financial years.
    NOTE: Finance information is confidential and will not be disclosed

Supplier Awards 

Open to all (non-insurance) aftersales product providers.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Aftersales Product Provider of the Year

Judges will be looking for (non-insurance) aftersales products providers who have launched innovative service/s and/ or cutting edge product/s between January and December 2025. 

  • All companies need to do is tell us in no more than 750 words what IT product/s or service/s they have introduced that have boosted the bottom lines of independent dealers and helped to improve processes and efficiencies.
  • Please provide example/s of the impact on independent dealers’ business.
  • Please provide example/s of the impact on independent dealers’ business.
  • Please submit financial results for pre-tax profits and turnover for two most recent financial years.
  • Upload any files that you wish to be considered in support of your entry. (press cuttings, examples of marketing and customer testimonials). Zip all files into a single archive.  
    NOTE: Finance information is confidential and will not be disclosed

Open to finance companies providing specialist finance services to independent car dealers.

£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Finance Provider of the Year

Judges will be looking for finance providers who have launched innovative service/s and/ or cutting edge product/s between January and December 2025.

  • All companies need to do is tell us in no more than 750 words what finance product/s or service/s they have introduced that have boosted the bottom lines of independent dealers and helped to improve processes and efficiencies.
  • Please provide example/s of the impact on independent dealers’ business, reasons you should win, why you are better than your counterparts.
  • Please provide example/s of the impact on independent dealers’ business.
  • Please submit financial results for pre-tax profits and turnover for two most recent financial years.
  • Upload any files that you wish to be considered in support of your entry. (press cuttings, examples of marketing and customer testimonials). Zip all files into a single archive. 
    NOTE: Finance information is confidential and will not be disclosed

Open to all IT providers providing specialist IT services to independent car dealers.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

IT Innovation of the Year

Judges will be looking for IT providers who have launched innovative service/s and/ or cutting edge product/s between January and December 2025.

  • All companies need to do is tell us in no more than 750 words what IT product/s or service/s they have introduced that have boosted the bottom lines of independent dealers and helped to improve processes and efficiencies. Please provide example/s of the impact on independent dealers’ business.
  • Please provide example/s of the impact on independent dealers’ business.
  • Please submit financial results for pre-tax profits and turnover for two most recent financial years.
  • Upload any files that you wish to be considered in support of your entry. (press cuttings, examples of marketing and customer testimonials). Zip all files into a single archive. 
    NOTE: Finance information is confidential and will not be disclosed

Open to firms providing remarketing services to independent car dealers.

£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Remarketing Company of the Year

Judges will be looking for remarketing agencies who have launched innovative service/s and/or cutting edge product/s between January 2025 and December 2025.

  • All companies need to do is tell us in no more than 750 words what remarketing product/s or service/s they have introduced that have boosted the bottom lines of independent dealers and helped to improve processes and efficiencies.
  • Please provide example/s of the impact on independent dealers’ businesses.
  • Upload any files that you wish to be considered in support of your entry. (press cuttings, examples of marketing and customer testimonials). Zip all files into a single archive.
  • Please submit financial results for pre-tax profits and turnover for two most recent financial years.
    NOTE: Finance information is confidential and will not be disclosed

The Supplier Investment of the Year Award is open to suppliers who have made significant investment in their business over the past year to benefit independent dealers.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Supplier Investment Project of the Year

Judges will be looking suppliers who have made a significant investment in part of the business between January and December 2025.

  • All companies need to do is tell us in no more than 750 words what investment they have made that has boosted the bottom line for independent dealers and helped to improve processes and efficiencies.
  • Please provide example(s) of the impact on dealers’ business.

NOTE: Financial information is highly confidential and will not be discussed or disclosed outside of the judging process

Open to all warranty providers delivering coverage for powertrain and interior, plus paint and alloy wheel protection for independent car dealers.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Warranty/Added-Value Insurance Products Provider of the Year

Judges will be looking for warranty/added-value insurance products providers who have launched innovative service/s and/or cutting edge product/s between January 2025 and December 2025.

  • All companies need to do is tell us in more than 750 words what warranty/added-value insurance product/s or service/s they have introduced that have boosted the bottom lines of independent dealers and helped to improve processes and efficiencies.
  • Please provide example/s of the impact on independent dealers’ businesses.
  • Please submit financial results for pre-tax profits and turnover for two most recent financial years.
  • Upload any files that you wish to be considered in support of your entry. (press cuttings, examples of marketing and customer testimonials). Zip all files into a single archive.
    NOTE: Finance information is confidential and will not be disclosed

RETAIL CATEGORIES

See Retail Categories

SUPPLIER CATEGORIES

See Supplier Categories

To view the criteria, simply click one of the buttons above to visit the Retail or Supplier Categories pages. 

From here, you can click 'view criteria' on any of the categories to see the criteria. 

The category criteria is also repeated at the start of the entry process, before you fill in your answers. 

Enter the email address and password that you used when you first started your entry on the log in page, you will then be taken through to your dashboard and will be able to continue your entry.

You can enter another category by selecting the category you wish to enter from the ‘Categories’ section.

Please contact Natalie Packham on 020 3953 2347 / natalie.packham@emap.com who will be happy to help you with your entry. 

Entries close Friday 4 April 2025