Entry Deadline: Wednesday 5 March 2025

Retail Categories
Take a look at our retail awards up for grabs in 2025 and enter below. 

To start your entry, simply select a category below, but you can add more categories to your basket on completion of the online entry form, should you wish to.

 Don't forget to 'Save' your entry regularly as you go along.

Entries are free and must be submitted by Wednesday 5 March 2025.

Aftersales Excellence Award

The Aftersales Excellence Award will acknowledge and reward best practices and sales performance in aftersales by independent dealers.

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 2024.

  • 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

Car Supermarket of the Year

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.

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 2024.

  • 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

Dealer Investment Project of the Year

The Dealer Investment of the Year Award is open to independent dealerships who have made significant investment in their business over the past year.

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 2024 to December 2024

Digital Initiative of the Year

The Digital Initiative of the Year award recognises and rewards the best use of digital media.

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 2024.

  • 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

Fastest Growing Dealer of the Year

This award is open to independent car dealers and looks at the sales and financial performance in their two most recent financial years.

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

Independent Community Dealer of the Year

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.

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 2024.

  • 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

Independent Garage of the Year

This award reflects on the importance of independent garages and workshops for many independent dealers.

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 2024.

  • 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 2024 to December 2024
    NOTE: Financial information is highly confidential and will not be discussed or disclosed outside of the judging process

Independent Sales Manager of the Year

The category is open to sales managers in independent used car dealers.

Independent Sales Manager of the Year

Judges will look for clear evidence of innovative sales programmes, performance and genuine teamwork between January and December 2024.

  • 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

Motor Factor of the Year

The Motor Factor of the Year Award is open to any motor factor supplying and distributing parts and services to independent dealers.

Motor Factor of the Year

Judges will look for evidence of profitable trading in parts supply. Financial performance figures and customer testimonials need to be supplied. This category is open to single or multiple site factors who serve independent dealers.

  • Open to factors 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 a parts factor you have excelled in your chosen category
  • This award will be judged based on the time period of January 2024 to December 2024 NOTE: Financial information is highly confidential and will not be discussed or disclosed outside of the judging process

Social Media Campaign of the Year

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.

Social Media Campaign of the Year

Supporting measurement data, including Google Analytics should be included.
This will be assessed between January and December 2024.

  • 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

UK Independent Dealer Customer Care Award

Open to independent used car dealers this award recognises efforts to promote customer care which have contributed to a business’ profits and success.

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 2024.

  • 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

UK Independent Dealer of the Year (General Sales)

Judges will look for evidence of excellent showroom presentation standards for general sales.

UK Independent Dealer of the Year (General Sales)

Single-site businesses and multiple sites are eligible. This will be assessed between January and December 2023.

  • 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

UK Independent Dealer of the Year (Premium Cars)

Judges will look for evidence of excellent showroom presentation standards.

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 2024.

  • 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

UK Independent Van Dealer of the Year

Judges will look for evidence of excellent standards for van sales to businesses and individuals

UK Independent Van Dealer of the Year

Single-site businesses and multiple sites are eligible. This will be assessed between January and December 2024.

  • 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

Used EV Retailer of the Year

Judges will look for evidence of excellent presentation standards for used EVs.

Used EV Retailer of the Year

Single-site businesses and multiple sites are eligible. This will be assessed between January and December 2024.

  • 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

Used EV of the Year Award

The Motor Trader Used EV of the Year acknowledges the vehicle that has excelled in terms of its desirability and premium among the dealers selling it and the customers who bought it. The winner is selected by a panel of used car industry professionals.

The used EV car must be desirable to both dealers and customers.

To be considered it must have been on sale throughout the period of January 2024 to December 2024. Entry is made by judges’ nomination.

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

Website of the Year

Judges will look for excellent functionality, ease of use and regularly refreshed content.

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 2024.

  • 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

Outstanding Achievement Award

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 2024.

Rising Star Award

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.

Rising Star Award

  • 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