The Autotrader Retailer Awards 2026

Buying your next vehicle should be exciting, but with so much choice, sometimes it can feel like a daunting process. To help make the decision easier, we introduced the Autotrader Retailer Awards, designed to recognise some of the best retailers in the business.

This autumn, we headed to Manchester to celebrate the winners of the Autotrader Retailer Awards 2026, awarding 31 trophies across cars, vans, and bikes. The awards celebrate key elements of modern retailing, ranging from outstanding customer experience and innovation to impact and community support.

With thousands of retailers to choose from across the UK, finding the best of the best was no easy task. That’s why the winners are determined by a combination of an independent judging panel of experts from major global brands, millions of real-world data points, and the UK's largest independent mystery shopping programme.

So, if you're searching for your next car, van, or bike, why not take a look at this year's very deserving winners of the Autotrader Retailer Awards?

Categories & Finalists Overview

Data-Driven Categories

Car Retailer of the Year

This is the ultimate stamp of excellence combining all-round quality and customer care. These top-performing dealerships are evaluated not only on sales performance and advert attractiveness, but also heavily factor in customer experience through digital mystery shopping audits, customer reviews, and ratings. Choosing a Retailer of the Year winner guarantees both a great vehicle and an outstanding buying experience from start to finish.

Independent - Small

Winner: Thame Cars

Finalists: Bournemouth Car Sales Elite Heritage

Independent - Medium

Winner: Acklam Cars

Finalists: Frosts Of Chichester Central Service Garage

Independent - Large

Winner: Carlingo

Finalists: FIRST4CAR.COM BVG AUTOMOTIVE

Franchise - Small

Winner: Horizon - Magna Motor Group

Finalists: Sherwoods Motor Group Hatfields

Franchise - Medium

Winner: Sinclair Group

Finalists: Howards Motor Group (Athenea Automotive Group) Brayleys Cars Limited

Franchise - Large

Winner: Vertu Motors plc

Finalists: Group 1 Automotive Arnold Clark

New Car Retailer

Winner: Vines Group

Finalists: J & A Rigbye & Sons Gateway Peugeot

Car Customer Experience Award

Dedicated entirely to service excellence and communication, you can expect 5-star treatment every step of the way. Tested through rigorous mystery shopping, these retailers excel at rapid replies, helpful personalised videos, friendly test drive experiences, and no-pressure guidance tailored to your needs.