The UK’s top apprentices, technicians and garages have earned their places in the national finals of the Top Awards 2026, following an intensely competitive series of qualifying rounds and live semi-finals.
Regarded across as the definitive benchmark for technical diagnostic ability, operational excellence, and customer care, the competition series will culminate on Saturday 14 November 2026 at the Delphi Academy in Warwick.
Contenders across Top Apprentice, Top Technician and Top Garage will face high-pressure final rounds before the winners are crowned that evening at the Top Awards Dinner hosted at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Coventry.
Top Apprentice
Now in its second year, Top Apprentice continues to highlight the skills and potential of Level 2 and Level 3 learners, challenging outdated perceptions of what an apprentice can achieve.
Head Judge Colin Denton and his judging panel will assess the finalists through practical workshop tasks designed to mirror real-world diagnostic, mechanical and electrical scenarios.
Returning to the Finals after competing in 2025, Katie Bowes says the experience has helped build her confidence and challenge perceptions surrounding apprentices.
“I had doubts in my head, but competing reassured me and proved that I can do it,” said Katie. “People often think apprentice means sweeping floors and making tea; this shows you are capable of so much more.”
Top Technician
Following a gruelling semi-final at Delphi Academy on 3 October, five technicians have earned their places in the Top Technician Final.
The semi-final saw the UK’s top 10 technicians tackle five high-pressure, 20-minute live diagnostic tasks covering emerging EV platforms, modern diesel systems and complex network faults.
At the Finals, the five technicians will face extended 50-minute live diagnostic challenges designed to test their logic, diagnostic test plans and ability to solve complex faults under pressure.
Top Garage
Top Garage tests operational excellence, customer care and sustainable business growth.
Each Top Garage finalist will face an independent judging panel to answer questions covering operations, customer and staff care, and how they are adapting to a changing industry.
“Seeing the calibre of this year’s finalists shows just how high the bar has been raised,” said Ian Gilgrass, Head Judge, Top Awards. “Reaching the finals of the Top Awards is a massive achievement, because you have to step up and prove your capability.
“What makes this series so special is the community and the standard it sets. Everyone comes in nervous, but they leave better at what they do. Technicians, apprentices, and garage owners use this as a benchmark to find their weak spots, learn, and push the entire industry forward.”
Alongside Top Apprentice, Top Technicians and Top Garage, the Top Awards finals will also recognise outstanding customer-facing and workplace standards through the Service Advisor Award and Ben Workplace Health & Wellbeing Award.
“Every single finalist has proven their calibre through a demanding, multi-stage process,” said Ryan Fuller, Managing Director of Top Awards. “We invite the entire trade to join us at Delphi Academy on 14 November to see the standards, meet the partners, and experience what makes our aftermarket community so exceptional.”
Daytime access to Delphi Academy, including the live finals, partner technology showcases and Ben’s Big Breakfast charity brunch, is free to trade visitors.
The day’s events will conclude with the Top Awards Dinner at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Coventry, where the 2026 champions will be announced.
Tickets for the evening Awards Dinner and further information about attending the Finals can be found at: https://aftermarketonline.net/toptechnician-topgarage/.
Top Apprentice 2026 Finalists
- Katie Bowes – Vertu Kia Nottingham
- Zephaniah Edwards – Markhams Garage
- Jacob Knight – SF Tebby & Son
- Callum Maguire – Pro-tech Automotive
- Kieran Vaughan – Euro Performance
Top Technician 2026 Finalists
- John Fountain – N&E Motors
- Brian Franklin – Franklin’s Autos
- John Hall – John Hall Auto Electrician
- Bryan Swales – Bryan Swales Auto Repairs
- Kristopher Williams – Fords of Winsford
Top Garage 2026 Finalists
Mobile Mechanic
- AM Nicholson
- BAR Motorworx
- Beresfords Mobile Mechanics
- Cleevely EV Mobile
- DMR Automotive Solutions
- Ell’s Auto Care
- MLH Vehicle Repair
- The Mobile Mechanic
- The Norfolk Tech / JLK Vehicle Solutions
1–3 Employees
- Alga Garage
- AMD Diagnostics
- Autoremedy
- CHM Autos
- DB Car Doctor
- Gilbert Motor Services
- MMS Technik
- Mouths Motor Company
- Repayr My Car
- The Garage Warmington
4–6 Employees
- API Motors
- Greenfield Garage
- Fine Drive Autocentres
- Intelligent Auto
- JA Services (Ripon)
- JGG Automotive
- Maitland Motors
- Meadowfield Auto Centre
- Service MOT Repairs
- WJH Auto
7–9 Employees
- Aldershot MOT Centre
- Bryan Swales Auto Repairs
- MB MOTORS Rugeley
- Specialist Vehicles
- Vicarius Automotive
- William Street Motor Services
10+ Employees
- Athersmith Motor Services
- Cleevely Motors
- Elite Autocare
- Magnet Autos
- Monmouth MOT Centre
- Ramsey Hill Garage
- SF Tebby & Son
- Stedmans Garage
- Uckfield Motor Services
- West End Garage Nairn
Multi-Site
- EAC Telford
- IN’n’OUT Autocentres
- K Brown Auto Repairs
- LM Motor Clinic
- Shaw’s Service Station
- VMB Autocentre
Service Advisor
- Kalvin Matharu – Monmouth MOT Centre
- Mike Chubb – Sumner Auto Electrics
- Zubair Iqbal – Fife Autotech
- Kevin Shilling – D&D Autos Ashford
- Graham Clark – Anderson Clark Motor Repairs
- Luke Collier – Shaw’s Service Station
- Danielle Cott – Shaw’s Service Station
- Oliver Kolsteren – D&D Autos
- Bradley Turner – Uckfield Motor Services
- Magdalena Puszek – Fine Drive Autocentres
Ben Workplace Health & Wellbeing
- Aldershot MOT Centre
- Ayrshire MOT Ltd
- Garage Warmington
- JGG Automotive
- K Brown Auto Repairs
- Maitland Motors
- West End Garage
- WJH Auto
