The Motor Ombudsman has announced the sixth edition of its annual Star Awards. These accolades aim to recognise Motor Ombudsman-accredited businesses and individual team members across the UK who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to customer service. For the first time, a new Community Star Award has been introduced to celebrate the contributions made by businesses and staff to their local communities.
The Star Awards encompass two main categories. The first consists of eight regional Star Awards for independent garages, franchise dealers, and body repair centres accredited to The Motor Ombudsman’s Vehicle Sales and/or Service and Repair Codes of Practice. The second category features two Customer Service Star Awards, which acknowledge outstanding service provided by vehicle manufacturers and extended warranty providers adhering to the New Car and Vehicle Warranty Products Codes.
A key aspect of the Star Awards is that nominations are driven by customer experiences. Consumers are invited to submit a short account through The Motor Ombudsman’s dedicated online portal TheMotorOmbudsman.org/Awards detailing instances where an accredited business or a member of their staff went above and beyond to assist them. The nomination period will remain open until mid-October.
New for the 2025 edition is the Community Star Award. This new accolade allows consumers to nominate businesses or individuals who have shown significant support for a cause in their local area. Examples of such contributions could include volunteering time for a charity, organising fundraising events, or sponsoring local grassroots sports teams.
The Star Awards have seen increasing participation over the years, with the 2024 competition receiving a record of nearly 3,300 nominations. Consumers now have five months to submit their entries for the 2025 awards, with the closing deadline set for Friday 17th October.
From the nominations received across the various regions and categories, The Motor Ombudsman will create a shortlist of three finalists for each Star Award based on a defined set of criteria. This will result in a total of 33 businesses and individuals competing for the eleven trophies available. A panel of four automotive industry experts will then determine the winners for each award, with two entries in each category also recognised as runners-up.
The final stage of the judging process involves the eight regional Star Award winners competing for the overall National Star Award, the highest honour of the competition. The recipient of this prestigious award will be selected based on the merits of their winning regional nomination. Past winners of the National Star Award include independent garages from Cornwall to Scotland, a franchise dealership in Northern Ireland, and an individual salesperson from a car showroom.
The Motor Ombudsman’s partnership with the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI)’s Hero Awards will continue for a third year, with the 2025 National Star Award trophy presented to the winner at the Houses of Parliament in London. The winning business or individual will also receive £2,000 worth of shopping vouchers and valuable marketing exposure, including a bespoke video filmed at their 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.”
Bill added: “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 and how to submit a nomination please click here.