The Motor Ombudsman has launched the sixth edition of its annual Star Awards, recognising those accredited businesses and individual team members across the UK who have gone above and beyond in their duties.
The Star Awards are divided into two main categories. The first covers the eight regional Star Awards for independent garages, franchise dealers, and body repair centres that are signed up to The Motor Ombudsman’s Vehicle Sales and/or Service and Repair Codes of Practice. The second is the Customer Service Star Awards, which celebrate exceptional service delivered by vehicle manufacturers and extended warranty providers that are committed to the New Car and Vehicle Warranty Products Codes respectively.
One of the key attributes of The Motor Ombudsman’s Star Awards is that they are driven by customers submitting a nomination via the body’s dedicated online portal, at www.TheMotorOmbudsman.org/Awards. It is here that consumers can write a short account detailing altruistic acts of kindness and generosity, and the positive steps taken by a business or a named member of staff to resolve their motoring concerns, no matter how big or small the gesture.
New for this year’s competition is the introduction of the Community Star Award, where consumers can also shine the spotlight on their nominee for the support of a dedicated cause in the local area. This could include, giving up time out of hours to work with a charity, putting on a fundraising event, or sponsoring a nearby sports team at grassroots level.
Record levels for Star Awards
As the contest continues to grow in profile, last year’s Star Awards competition saw a record number of nominations at nearly 3,300, with the greatest number of businesses ever put forward, and consumers are now able to submit their entries for 2025 over the coming five months prior to the closing deadline of Friday 17th October.
From these nominations across the different regions and categories, and according to an established set of criteria, it is then the task of The Motor Ombudsman to create a shortlist of the three finalists for each of the Star Awards, which will see a total of 33 businesses and individuals in contention to win the eleven trophies on offer.
The names etched on to this year’s silverware will be determined by a panel of automotive industry experts, which will see four judges reach a joint consensus for each award. Similarly, two entries will also be commended for being a finalist for their achievement of being a runner-up in their class.
The final stage of the judging process sees the eight regional Star Award winners judged, based on the merits of their winning nomination. One winner be named as the recipient of the overall and coveted National Star Award. This is the highest accolade of the competition.
To date, the Hall of Fame boasts three independent garages, spanning Cornwall to Scotland, a franchise dealership in Northern Ireland, and an individual salesperson from a car showroom.
The National Star Award went to AJ Fleetcare, an independent garage based in Leeds, last year. The workshop also took the regional trophy for the north.
“Since being crowned a double winner at the end of last year, we have had such a positive reaction from our local community and beyond, and the Star Awards have really put our business front and centre,” stated Alan and Jeanette Landale, the husband-and-wife owners of AJ Fleetcare. “In fact, after our customers and motorists in the region read about our achievement in the press and on social media, the phone did not stop ringing, and we are really grateful for having the opportunity to be recognised with such a prestigious honour.”
Partnership continues
The Motor Ombudsman’s successful partnership with the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI)’s coveted Hero Awards will also continue for the third successive year, where the 2025 National Star Award trophy will be presented in-person to the winner in the prestigious surroundings of the Houses of Parliament in London’s Westminster.
The chosen business or individual team member will also be bestowed £2,000 worth of shopping vouchers, as well as valuable marketing exposure, including a bespoke video filmed at the winner’s premises.
Bill Fennell, Chief Ombudsman and Managing Director of The Motor Ombudsman, said: “The Star Awards continue to go from strength to strength, and we saw another record number of nominations last year, highlighting the contest’s growing appeal across the motor industry.
“It is always an exciting time when we restart the search for a new generation of Stars, and have the chance to read so many inspiring customer stories about how Motor Ombudsman-accredited businesses and their staff members have moved mountains and truly gone beyond the call of duty to ensure the very highest level of customer service.”
“As we build the Star Awards further, and with so many businesses across the UK making such valuable efforts to help others, and flying the flag for charities, the addition of the new Community Star Award will be a great way of recognising the countless hours of hard work, which ultimately make that all-important difference.”
For more information about The Motor Ombudsman’s Star Awards, visit www.TheMotorOmbudsman.org/Awards.
