The Motor Ombudsman has opened nominations for its 2026 Star Awards, inviting consumers to recognise dealers and automotive businesses for customer service.
Now in its seventh year, the awards allow motorists to nominate Motor Ombudsman-accredited businesses and individual team members who have gone beyond the call of duty during the past 12 months.
Entries are open until September 1 through the organisation’s online portal, with submissions covering independent garages, franchise dealers and body repair centres signed up to its Vehicle Sales and Service and Repair Codes of Practice.
The awards include eight regional categories, spanning from the South of England to Scotland and Northern Ireland, alongside Customer Service Star Awards for manufacturer and warranty provider head office teams.
Dealers can nominate exceptional team members too
A new addition for 2026 allows employees within accredited organisations to nominate colleagues for delivering exceptional service.
More than 10,000 nominations have been received since the awards launched in 2020, with a shortlist of finalists drawn up based on set criteria. This will result in 24 businesses and individuals competing for regional awards, and six shortlisted for the customer service category.
Winners will be decided by a panel of automotive industry experts, including Tim Rose, editor of Automotive Management (pictured left), who will help determine both category winners and the overall National Star Award recipient.
The current National Star Award holder is Napoleon Garage in Bradford.
Regional winners will be presented with trophies in person for the first time at The Motor Ombudsman’s tenth anniversary event in October.
The overall National Star Award winner will also be recognised at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute Hero Awards at the Houses of Parliament, and will receive £2,000 in shopping vouchers and additional marketing support.
Bill Fennell, chief ombudsman and managing director of The Motor Ombudsman, said: “As we launch the 2026 Star Awards, we are once again inviting motorists to recognise the businesses and individuals who consistently put motorists first and make a genuine difference throughout their vehicle purchase and ownership experience.
“We are equally looking forward to reading the heart-warming stories that are submitted over the coming months, and celebrating the very finest examples of customer service from across the UK.
“The Star Awards continue to be an important showcase for the many positive contributions that accredited businesses and their teams deliver for customers every day, and we’re proud to see the competition go from strength to strength as it enters its seventh year.”
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