Thame Cars, Acklam Cars, Carlingo and Vertu Motors were among the car dealers recognised at the 2026 Autotrader Retailer Awards in Manchester.
The awards produced 31 winners from around 14,000 Autotrader dealer partners, with 93 finalists competing across nine categories.
Now in their 19th year, the awards combined analysis of millions of data points with independent judging and consumer mystery shopping.
Around 120 retailers attended the ceremony at Co-op Live on October 6, the first time the event had been held in Manchester.
Car and van dealer winners
Thame Cars, Acklam Cars and Carlingo won the small, medium and large independent Car Retailer of the Year awards respectively while Horizon – Magna Motor Group, Sinclair Group and Vertu Motors took the equivalent franchised dealer titles.
Vines Group was named New Car Retailer of the Year, while Bridgend Van Centre, Iver Van Sales and David Spear won the three Van Retailer of the Year awards.
Customer Experience Awards recognised Bournemouth Car Sales, Frosts of Chichester and Carlingo in the independent car categories. Hatfields, Brayleys Cars and Group 1 Automotive took the franchised car awards.
Q Performance won the inaugural Impact Award, Solo Car Sales received the Momentum Award and Drive Green secured the Sustainability Award. Grainger Motor Group won the People First Award and AZ Autos took the Game Changer Award.
Spensley named Woman of the Year
Amanda Spensley, managing director of Wynyard Motor Company, was named Woman of the Year after unexpectedly taking over the business during a challenging period.
She was recognised for maintaining stability while improving internal processes, strengthening the company culture and preparing the business for growth.
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.”
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Winners of the 2026 Auto Trader Retailer Awards
| Award category | Small | Medium | Large |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retailer of the Year Award | |||
| Car – Independent | Thame Cars | Acklam Cars | Carlingo |
| Car – Franchise | Horizon – Magna Motor Group | Sinclair Group | Vertu Motors plc |
| Van | Bridgend Van Centre | Iver Van Sales | David Spear Commercials |
| Bike | TH Motors | Carl Rosner | Vertu Motors plc |
| Customer Experience Award | |||
| Car – Independent | Bournemouth Car Sales | Frosts of Chichester | Carlingo |
| Car – Franchise | Hatfields | Brayleys Cars | Group 1 Automotive |
| Van | Milton Motor Sales | Iver Van Sales | TrustFord |
| Bike | Motobox UK | Hastings Motorcycle Centre | Charles Hurst |
| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| New Car Retailer of the Year | Vines Group |
| The Impact Award | Q-Performance |
| The Momentum Award | Solo Car Sales |
| The Sustainability Award | Drive Green |
| The People First Award | Grainger Motor Group |
| Woman of the Year | Amanda Spensley, Wynard Motor Company |
| Game Changer of the Year | AZ Autos |