A Swindon used car dealership has picked up a prestigious accolade at the 2023 Car Dealer Magazine Used Car Awards – often described as the Oscars of the motor trade.
Carite, based in Moormead Road, Wroughton, won the Service and Repair Outlet trophy at this year’s ceremony at The Brewery in London, which celebrated the best and the brightest dealerships working in the used car market across the UK.
In addition, operations manager Craig Applegate was highly commended in the Dealers’ Dealer category.
Thousands of automotive retailers, plus MOT testing stations and workshops, enter the awards every year – and each one undergoes a rigorous judging process and mystery shopping test before the gongs are handed out at a glittering ceremony in London.
In the hotly contested Service and Repair Outlet category, assessors were not only looking for consistently high scores in online reviews, they also wanted to experience excellent customer service and an efficient ‘right first time’ approach to all service and repair work.
Tim Maddocks, owner of Carite, said: “I’m absolutely ecstatic and very emotional actually.
“We have come together as a team to make this happen and it’s absolutely brilliant.
“Customer service is key for us. We treat people how we would want to be treated ourselves and I think it’s just a case of trying to do things right.
“The motor trade has had a bad past many many years ago and now we are at the forefront of things and it’s a great place to be.”
James Baggott, editor-in-chief of Car Dealer Magazine, said: ‘‘The best used car dealerships know that carrying out servicing and repair work for their customers is vital to their success.
‘‘In this category, we aim to celebrate the very best businesses that look after their customers and their cars to the highest standards.
‘‘Carite absolutely aced the mystery shopping round and online feedback showed countless customers had received similarly impressive levels of service and communication. This is a well-deserved win for the team.’’
TV host and automotive industry legend Mike Brewer, who was the awards night compere, said: ‘‘Very well done to Carite on a great win in an important category at this year’s Used Car Awards.
‘‘The team have enjoyed previous success at the awards – last year, they won the gong for delivering outstanding customer care. It’s great to see the business moving onwards and upwards – nice one.’’
The Car Dealer Magazine Used Car Awards have been celebrating the top operators in the UK’s used car industry since 2012, rewarding manufacturers, car dealerships, workshops and exceptional people working in the sector. They are organised by the UK’s leading automotive trade title, Car Dealer Magazine.
