The semi-finalists for Top Technician 2025 have been revealed and the stage is now set for the most fiercely contested showdown in the competition’s 23-year history.
After months of online testing, the ten remaining technicians now face a gruelling semi-final at Delphi Academy in Warwick on 4th October, each vying for one of the most prestigious titles in the automotive aftermarket.
“These semi-finalists must now prove themselves under pressure, combining lightning-fast diagnostic skills with deep technical knowledge and the kind of problem-solving ability that sets them apart from the crowd,” Ryan Fuller, Managing Director at the Top Awards.
“Only five will make it through this next round, and they’ll return to Delphi Academy for the grand final, another day-long contest of advanced, hands-on challenges designed to push even the best to their limits.”
With £40,000 worth of prizes on offer, including tools, training, and cash, the stakes could not be higher.
Supported by partners, Snap-on, Delphi, LKQ Euro Car Parts, TOPDON, JLM Lubricants, VARTA, Garage Hive, Garage Services Online, Mechanic Mindset, and Autotech Communications, the Top Awards continue to set the benchmark for technical ability, garage excellence, and the future of the industry.
Launched in 2002, Top Technician has become the definitive test of diagnostic skill. Together with Top Garage, introduced in 2018, and the brand-new Top Apprentice for 2025, the Top Awards celebrate the very best talent driving the independent aftermarket forward.
For those who enter, Top Technician is more than a contest. It’s a proving ground that tests their skills under real pressure, highlights areas for growth, and often becomes a defining step in their careers.
“This is my 13th year entering Top Technician, and it’s been a huge part of my journey,” said technician, David Weston. “When I first started, I wasn’t really into personal development or training, but the competition pushed me to see what I knew and what I didn’t. It’s helped me grow, meet great people, and ultimately it was the stepping stone that took me to where I am today.
“Top Technician is unique because you can’t just say you’re good, you have to prove it under pressure. That’s what makes it so special, it brings out your best, and every year you just want to come back and push yourself further.”
For others, reaching the semi-finals marks a breakthrough moment, a first step toward testing themselves against the very best in the country.
“For me, it’s all about challenging myself and using the competition as a way to keep developing as a technician,” said Gary Birse of Motech Garage in Forfar, Scotland. “The questions this year really made me think, and while I’m definitely nervous about the next stage, I’m excited too. It feels like a big step forward.”
Follow Top Awards on social media for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes coverage, and live announcements from the finals.
Top Technician Semi Finalists 2025
- Kristopher Williams, Fords of Winsford
- Matthew Deakin, Four Cross Garage
- James Leach, JL Performance
- William Pribas, Privet
- Stephen McConnell, McConnells Waterford
- Bryan Swales, Bryan Swales Auto Repairs
- John Fountain
- Gary Birse, Motech Garage
- David Weston, Kia UK Ltd
- John Hall, John Hall Auto Electrician
