The Top Awards has officially revealed the 10 technicians who have secured their places in the live semi-finals of Top Technician, with independent workshops and franchised dealerships from across the UK represented among the country’s leading diagnostic talent.
The finalists have earned their places after three rigorous online qualifying rounds, which tested in-depth system knowledge, diagnostic theory and the ability to work through complex fault scenarios.
The 10 highest-scoring technicians will now progress to the live semi-final stage, where they will face a series of demanding practical challenges at Delphi Academy in Warwick.
“Reaching the Top Technician semi-finals is a fantastic achievement,” said Ryan Fuller, Managing Director of the Top Awards. These technicians have already demonstrated an exceptional level of knowledge and diagnostic ability across three challenging qualifying rounds, but the live semi-finals will provide a completely different test.”
Established in 2002, Top Technician is recognised across the automotive trade as a benchmark for technical excellence, testing technicians on their ability to diagnose faults logically and methodically rather than simply replace components.
At the live semi-finals, the 10 contenders will face five intense, 20-minute fault-finding tasks designed and overseen by a panel of leading technical judges. The challenges will span modern vehicle technology, from complex internal combustion engine running and high-pressure fuel faults to intricate CAN-bus network issues and high-voltage electrified powertrain systems.
With only five places available in the Top Technician Finals, every second will count. The successful contenders will progress to extended 50-minute live diagnostic challenges, where they will compete alongside the finalists from Top Garage and Top Apprentice for the chance to claim the Top Technician title.
The winners of Top Awards 2026 will be announced on Saturday 14 November at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Coventry following the live Finals. Those interested in attending the 2026 Top Awards Finals and evening dinner can find out more by visiting: https://aftermarketonline.net/toptechnician-topgarage/.
Top Technician 2026 semi-finalists:
- Gary Brown
- John Fountain
- Brian Franklin
- John Hall
- David Harris
- Nathan Jacobs
- James Leach
- Bryan Swales
- Kristopher Williams
- Gordon Wright
