6:14 am, September 22, 2026
Winning a Used Car Award can give a dealership something valuable to build on long after the trophies have been handed out.
That is the verdict of former winner and SVM Automotive founder, Jonathan Chorley-Burdett, who says last year’s Newcomer Dealership of the Year victory gave the business a major boost going into 2026.
The Bournemouth-based firm impressed our judges with …. and Chorley-Burdett says the win has certainly had an impact on business.
In fact, the firm was so thrilled with the win, that staff still play the video from the awards in the showroom every day.
Reflecting on what victory can mean for a business, Chorley-Burdett said: ‘It genuinely meant a huge amount to us. SVM was still a new business and we were up against some brilliant dealerships, so to actually hear our name called was a massive moment.
‘It gave us reassurance that we were doing things in the right way and recognition for all the work that goes on behind the scenes when building a dealership from scratch.
‘We still have the video from the night playing on the screen in our office now, so I think that probably says how proud we still are of it!
‘It has been a really positive year for us, although the used car market has certainly proved tough at times.
‘We have continued to grow and develop the business while adapting to the challenges the market has thrown at us.
‘Winning Newcomer Dealership of the Year gave us a real boost going into 2026 and something to build on throughout the year.’
Dealers are now being encouraged to put themselves forward for this year’s Used Car Awards, with nominations closing on Monday (September 28).
SVM is hoping to return to the ceremony on November 30 and is this year eyeing a win in the Used Car Dealership: Up To 50 Cars category.
It is a move that Chorley-Burdett says is the natural next step for the business as it looks to compete with a host of big names.
‘After winning the Newcomer category last year, we are hoping we might get the opportunity to return this year in the Used Car Dealership: Up To 50 Cars category,’ he said.
‘To be shortlisted alongside established dealerships in that category would be a great next step for us, and we would love to be back there again.
‘There are so many good independent dealers working incredibly hard and doing things properly, and the awards give those businesses an opportunity to be recognised,’ he said.
‘The used car industry does not always get the best reputation, so it is important to celebrate the businesses and people who are trying to raise standards and provide a genuinely good experience for their customers.’
Tickets are currently on sale for this year’s Used Car Awards, held at the Brewery in London and hosted by TV’s Wheeler Dealer, Mike Brewer.
Last year’s ceremony itself also left a lasting impression on the SVM team and Chorley-Burdett says it is not a night to be missed.
‘There is a brilliant atmosphere on the night,’ he said.
‘You have dealerships and people from across the industry all in one room, but it still feels very relaxed and enjoyable.
‘Last year was our first time attending and we genuinely did not expect to win, which made the whole experience even more memorable.’
Nominations still open
With voting now underway, here are the other key dates for your diary:
- Nominations close: Monday, September 28
- Nominations (long list) revealed: Monday, October 5
- Shortlist revealed: Monday, October 19
- Awards night: Monday, November 30
To be in with a chance of a trophy, our nominations form needs to be completed and the process couldn’t be any more straightforward!
All you need to do is select the category that you’d like to nominate yourself or someone else for on the form and supply the requested details.
From there, all entries will be judged by our Car Dealer experts, who will whittle them down to a nominations list.
The nominees will then be subjected to further judging before a final five go through to the big night, when the winners and highly commendeds will be announced.
The judging process includes our rigorous mystery shopping, which secretly checks how dealers handle inquiries – meaning that anyone hoping to make the shortlist will have to stay on the ball all the time.
A full list of the categories in which dealers can vote can be found below. For suppliers and companies wishing to sponsor categories there are still a handful of opportunities available – but don’t hang around. Contact us now to discuss.
- Dealers’ Dealer — Dealerkit
- Service & Repair Outlet – Sponsorship available
- Used EV Dealer of the Year — Warrantywise
- Social Media User – Sponsorship available
- Use of Video — Carwow
- Used Car Website — Visitor Chat
- Used Car Online Sales Experience — Central Car Auctions
- Specialist Used Car Dealership — Warranty First
- Used Car Sales Team — Diamondbrite
- Used Car Dealer Principal — Warranty First
- Future Star — Northridge Finance
- Used Car Customer Care (and sub-categories) — RAC Dealer Network
- Used Car Supermarket — Cazoo
- Newcomer Dealership — Jigsaw Finance (T2T)
- Used Commercial Vehicle Dealer — Close Brothers Motor Finance
- Days To Turn Award — Autotrader
- Diversity and Inclusion – Sponsorship available
- Headline Sponsorship — Black Horse
- Used Car Dealership: Up To 50 Cars — Black Horse
- Used Car Dealership: 51–100 Cars — Black Horse
- Used Car Dealership: Over 100 Cars — Black Horse
- Used Car Dealership Group — Black Horse
- Outstanding Achievement – Sponsorship available
- Lifetime Achievement — GardX
We’ll also be naming the best used cars in six categories, plus the overall Used Car of the Year from those six, along with Manufacturer Used Car Scheme:
- Small Car – Autoglym
- Mid-Sized Car – Autoglym
- Executive Car – Autoglym
- SUV – Autoglym
- AFV (Alternatively Fuelled Vehicle) – Autoglym
- Manufacturer Used Car Scheme of the Year – Sponsorship available
The prizes will be dished out in a glitzy ceremony at The Brewery, London on November 30.