Entries for the Bodyshop Awards 2026 can be submitted in one or more of the following categories. You can enter for yourself in the individual categories, or nominate someone else or a business:
Apprentice MET Technician of the Year
This category is open to the UK’s best apprentice MET technicians, who are yet to undergo their EPA exams. It will be judged in two parts – firstly via an online exam, followed by in-person practical testing at the Thatcham Research Automotive Academy from 15-17 June 2026.
Apprentice Paint Technician of the Year
This category is open to the UK’s best apprentice paint technicians, who have not yet taken their EPA exams. It will be judged in two parts – firstly via an online exam, followed by in-person practical testing at the Thatcham Research Automotive Academy from 15-17 June 2026.
Apprentice Panel Technician of the Year
This category is open to the UK’s best apprentice panel technicians, who are yet to undergo their EPA exams. It will be judged in two parts – firstly via an online quiz, followed by in-person practical testing at the Thatcham Research Automotive Academy from 15-17 June 2026.
Apprentice VDA of the Year
This category is open to the UK’s best vehicle damage assessors who are still within their apprenticeship and are working in the UK collision repair industry. It will be judged in two parts – firstly via an online exam, followed by in-person practical assessments at the Thatcham Research Automotive Academy from 15-17 June 2026.
Advanced Technologies Technician of the Year
This category is open to the UK’s very best MET and multi-skilled technicians, who must hold a current qualification or accreditation at Level 3 or above in both EV and ADAS. It will be judged in two parts – firstly via an online exam, followed by in-person practical testing at the Thatcham Research Automotive Academy from 15-17 June 2026.
Paint Technician of the Year
This category is open to the UK’s best paint technicians, who are working in a bodyshop or accident repair business. It will be judged in two parts – firstly via an online exam, followed by in-person practical testing at the Thatcham Research Automotive Academy from 15-17 June 2026.
Panel Technician of the Year
This category is open to the UK’s best panel technicians, who are working in a bodyshop or accident repair business. It will be judged in two parts – firstly via an online exam, followed by in-person practical testing at the Thatcham Research Automotive Academy from 15-17 June 2026.
VDA of the Year
This category is open to the UK’s best vehicle damage assessors, who are working in the UK collision repair industry. It will be judged in three parts – firstly via an online exam, followed by interviews for qualifying candidates, and in-person practical assessments at the Thatcham Research Automotive Academy from 15-17 June 2026.
Small Bodyshop of the Year
To qualify in this category, individual independent bodyshops will have an annual turnover of up to £1.5m and must be able to demonstrate the unique features which give them a competitive advantage; levels of customer service; quality in finished repairs; and explain how times and costs are calculated. The judges will be looking for bodyshops to demonstrate these outcomes and provide supporting evidence.
Note: The turnover figure is a guideline and may be adjusted depending on the number and quality of nominations received in this category.
Medium Bodyshop of the Year
To qualify in this category, individual independent bodyshops will have an annual turnover of between £1.5m and £3m and must be able to demonstrate the unique features which give them a competitive advantage; levels of customer service; quality in finished repairs; and explain how times and costs are calculated. The judges will be looking for bodyshops to demonstrate these outcomes and provide supporting evidence.
Note: The turnover figure is a guideline and may be adjusted depending on the number and quality of nominations received in this category.
Large Bodyshop of the Year
To qualify in this category, individual independent bodyshops will have an annual turnover in excess of £3m and must be able to demonstrate the unique features which give them a competitive advantage; levels of customer service; quality in finished repairs; and explain how times and costs are calculated. The judges will be looking for bodyshops to demonstrate these outcomes and provide supporting evidence.
Note: The turnover figure is a guideline and may be adjusted depending on the number and quality of nominations received in this category.
Bodyshop Group of the Year
Group or multi-site operators (5-plus bodyshops) must be able to demonstrate uniformity across the different sites relating to appearance, levels of customer service, quality of finished repairs, and parity of times and costs (to the group, not retail rates). The judges will be looking for you to demonstrate these outcomes and provide supporting evidence.
Bodyshop Manager of the Year
In this category, we’re looking for outstanding UK bodyshop managers who are directly involved in the day-to-day operation of a bodyshop business. This award recognises the dedication and skills of the very best managers in the most productive body repair industry in the world.
Technical Training Provider of the Year
This category is open to colleges and training providers offering the highest standard of training and accreditation programmes in collision repair. The judges will be looking for the very best UK organisations that are educating the next generation of repair professionals in top-rated and very well equipped training facilities.
Supplier of the Year
The judges are looking for manufacturers and suppliers (including but not limited to coatings, other consumables, tools and equipment, etc) who excel in their customer service and support as well as the outstanding performance of their product(s).
ADAS Services Provider of the Year
The judges are looking for providers of ADAS diagnostics and calibrations services who excel in their technical performance and relationships with their customers (repairers, fleets and insurers) by matching words with actions and creating long-term partnerships.
Bodyshop Software Provider of the Year
The judges are looking for providers of software and services (BMS, estimating, data, etc) who excel in their technical performance and customer support for bodyshops by matching words with actions and creating long-term partnerships.
Vehicle Manufacturer Programme of the Year
This award recognises a genuine commitment to the UK collision repair sector by a vehicle manufacturer, importer or agent. To qualify for entry in this award you must have a contracted, managed repair network. We will require access to your approved repair partners from which we will take a random selection to contact for additional feedback.
Work Provider of the Year
This award is designed to recognise work providers that have developed and maintained true commercial relationships with their repairer business partners and customers. To qualify for entry in this category you must have a contracted, managed repair network.
