Top Technician, Top Garage and Top Apprentice 18 www.aftermarketonline.net APRIL 2025 Put your skills to the ultimate test! Have you got what it takes to compete in the automotive fast lane with industry peers and race away as potential winners in this year’s Top Technician, Top Garage and Top Apprentice competitions..? The search to find Aftermarket magazine’s champions for 2025 was launched earlier this year but there is still time to get your entries in — and this ultimate platform for celebrating excellence, innovation and talent is continuing to attract a stellar lineup of support from leading companies and organisations. Garage Services Online is among the latest to confirm its backing with programme sponsorship for the three most respected contests in the UK’s independent garage sector. GSO, which is dedicated to helping independent garages thrive in the digital space, said the partnership is a natural fit, reinforcing its commitment to supporting excellence across all levels of the industry. GSO managing director Jim Lang said: “Through this sponsorship, we’re not only celebrating the industry’s top talent but also reinforcing our commitment to helping independent garages thrive.” Also joining our lineup is Darren Quinn, star of YouTube channel Mechanic Mindset, who was recently confirmed as Entertainment Sponsor. Mechanic Mindset simplifies diagnostics with an online training platform and technical support community to empower modern technicians. Quinn said: “It’s a true honour to be among the finest technicians and garages in this year’s competition. Every participant — whether a technician, garage, or apprentice — has stepped forward to showcase their commitment to excellence and represent the pinnacle of the UK motor trade. “From the very first registration to the impressive achievements of our finalists, your dedication inspires us all. We must celebrate every milestone on this journey!” Full event partners already signed up to support this year’s competition once again include LKQ Euro Car Parts and Delphi — whose state-of-the-art academy facilities in Warwick will again host Finals Day in November. The involvement of the Delphi Academy ensures contestants that make it through to the later stages of the contest benefit from a state-of-the-art facility equipped with cutting-edge tools and resources, designed to meet the high technical demands of the competition. TOPDON and VARTA are also among the valued Event Partners and cloudbased garage management system, Garage Hive, is supporting this exciting challenge as a sponsor. Meanwhile, Snap-on confirmed earlier that it would also be continuing its longstanding support for the competition. Since its launch in 2002, Top Technician has been the ultimate test for the UK’s most skilled vehicle technicians, putting their expertise in fault-finding and diagnostics to the test. In 2018, the competition expanded with Top Garage, recognising outstanding independent businesses that set the benchmark for professionalism and service. And 2025 marks another milestone with the introduction of Top Apprentice, celebrating the next generation of talent and ensuring the future of the industry remains strong. The competitions will see participants take on rigorous challenges, from advanced fault-finding in Top Technician to in-depth business evaluations in Top Garage, and hands-on assessments for rising stars in Top Apprentice. Our winners will be crowned at a prestigious awards gala on Saturday, November 15 2025, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Coventry. To find out more — and importantly find out how to join the race for aftermarket glory — see the facing page. Contestants represent pinnacle of the UK motor trade Darren Quinn
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