Top Awards 26 www.aftermarketonline.net MARCH 2026 5DFH WR ᎮQG JDUDJH FKDPSLRQV LV XQGHUZD\ The search for the UK’s most talented garages, vehicle technicians and apprentices is under way, with organisers confirming that entries for the Top Awards 2026 are now open. The online qualifying window is live, giving entrants until May 15 to compete for titles including Top Technician, Top Garage and Top Apprentice. Widely regarded as an industry benchmark, the awards programme offers individuals and businesses the opportunity to measure their skills, knowledge and processes against national standards. In addition to the core categories, entries are also open for the Service Advisor Award and the Ben Workplace Health & Wellbeing Award, recognising excellence in customer care and commitment to employee welfare. Ryan Fuller, Top Awards managing director, said: “We want the industry to view this year’s competition not just as a hunt for a trophy, but as a free healthcheck for their business. The process is designed to highlight your strengths and identify areas for growth. No matter how far you get in the process, you’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of where you stand in the market.” For Top Technician and Top Apprentice, the first round is a multiple-choice test, while Top Garage entrants complete an in-depth online questionnaire covering operations, customer service and marketing ahead of the May 15 deadline. Successful technicians progress through increasingly demanding challenges, culminating in a semi-final of ten 20-minute live fault-finding tasks. Top Garage and Top Apprentice semifinalists will complete online assessments between June 19 and August 4. The competition concludes on Saturday November 14 at Delphi Academy in Warwick, where all Top Award finalists face a high-pressure showdown to decide the winners. However, the organisers are keen to stress that this high standard should not be a deterrent. Steve Smith, a Top Technician judge and former Top Technician winner, frankly admitted that even champions battle self-doubt before taking the plunge: “I thought I’m going to let myself down, that I’m going to be amongst the great and the good. Imposter syndrome, all of that but you just need to put that to one side and join in.” For entry and competition details, see pages 22-25 in this issue! Adrian Smith, a Top Awards winner from 2025, told Aftermarket: “I would recommend all garages and technicians throw their hat into the ring and enter.” Adrian, who runs The Garage Warmington, near Banbury, won the 1-3 employees’ category of Top Garage in 2025. “We got so much out of taking part!” And it’s the taking part that is the important thing, Adrian stressed. Find out what’s been happening at Adrian’s business since the competition win in this issue’s Garage Visit feature, on page 22. Top Technician 2025 winner David Weston, Kia UK Adrian Smith
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