CUSTOMERS of a Winnersh garage may have known for ages, but it’s now official – it’s one of the best in the country.
Staff at MOT City, based on Reading Road, are celebrating after they were named as a finalist of the Top Garage Awards 2019.
The contest is run by Aftermarket magazine and aims to find out how much mechanics at garages across the country know about the industry, and the latest technologies.
More than 800 garages entered a rigorous entry programme, which included multiple choice quizzes, detailed reports on how the garages operate and the creation of an online video that helped judges understand the nuts and bolts of each business. Items looked at included the customer experience, how a garage deals with faulty products and the development of technology.
For MOT City to be shortlisted in the businesses with 11-plus staff category is an achievement in itself, as just five garages were finalists.
The top prize went to a garage from Worthing and was presented by journalist Helen Fospero.
Sean Bradbury, managing director of MOT City, said: “We had the judges asking us questions about the business and the industry in general. There were testing your knowledge and ensuring you know what you’re doing within the industry and its future.
“This isn’t us waking up one morning and thinking we’re going to put our name forward. This is actually us showing the commitment we have to be the best possible garage. It was three-and-a-half months of extreme work.”
The garages will soon celebrate its silver anniversary: “It’s nice recognition for all the staff and our customers,” Mr Bradury said. “We’re a family business, and we are longstanding. Everyone has been here a long time.
“Awards like this shows customers can trust us with their vehicles.”
