About the Autotrader Retailer Awards

The way people buy cars, bikes and vans has changed and the best retailers are changing with it. Today’s leading retailers deliver a seamless, end-to-end experience, blending digital and physical to make buying easier, more transparent and more enjoyable for customers. The Autotrader Retailer Awards celebrate the very best in UK automotive retail. The awards recognise businesses that are setting the standard and redefining what great looks like. Winning isn’t just recognition from the industry, it’s a powerful signal to millions of car buyers that your business is one they can trust. 

Why enter 

Autotrader UK is one of the UK’s most recognised and trusted consumer brands, with nearly 50 years at the heart of the automotive market. Every month, around 85 million visits are made to our platforms, connecting the UK’s largest audience of in-market car buyers with the biggest pool of retailers. 

But this isn’t about us, it’s about what that reach and trust means for you. Winning an Autotrader Retailer Award is a powerful endorsement your customers recognise and believe in.

It helps you stand out in a crowded market, build confidence with buyers, and turn great work into real commercial advantage. From digital badges and showroom materials to PR, social content and campaign support, we make sure your win works hard for your business, helping you attract more customers, win more trust, and grow. 

How the awards work

Our awards are designed to find and recognise the very best retailers in the UK, objectively and rigorously. 

We utilise: 

  • Analysis of thousands of real data points  

  • An independent judging panel  

  • The UK’s largest dedicated automotive mystery shopping programme  

All retailer partners are automatically entered into our data-led awards, with the top 1,000 progressing to a mystery shopping programme, helping determine our Customer Experience Award and contributing to our most prestigious title, Retailer of the Year. 

Our self-nominated categories are open to all, from car and van retailers to bikes, and are judged independently to recognise innovation, transformation and standout ideas.