Awards

NI Motor Industry Awards - Roadside Garages Celebrates Triple Win

Roadside Garages is proud to celebrate an outstanding performance at the 2025 NI Motor Industry Awards, taking home three major category wins along with a Highly Commended recognition for one of our technicians. These awards honour the very best of Northern Ireland's vehicle retail sector, and we are delighted to be recognised across multiple areas of our business.

Winner - Best Customer Service

Providing exceptional experiences has always been at the centre of what we do. This award reflects our commitment to supporting customers from their first enquiry through to after-sales care. Professionalism, transparency, and genuine care remain the foundation of every interaction at Roadside Garages.

Winner - Franchised Dealer

Our team was recognised for excellence across new and used vehicle sales, after-sales service, and innovation. With investments in technology, marketing, training, and community responsibility, Roadside Garages continues to set the benchmark for customer satisfaction in Northern Ireland.

Winner - Best Employer Excellence

At Roadside, our people are our greatest strength. This award celebrates our dedication to recruiting, developing, and retaining exceptional talent, while promoting a workplace built on wellbeing, inclusion, and opportunity. It is a tribute to the passionate, supportive team that drives our success.

Highly Commended - Automotive Technician, Domnic Clyde

We are especially proud of Domnic Clyde, whose expertise, professionalism, and commitment to development earned him a Highly Commended accolade. Domnic's passion and skill exemplify the high standards at Roadside Garages.

These honours continue a strong run of success for Roadside Garages. Following our hat-trick at the inaugural NI Motor Industry Awards in 2023 and two further wins in 2024, this year's achievements highlight our ongoing commitment to excellence.

Roadside Garages Named Northern Ireland Regional Star at the Motor Ombudsman's Star Awards 2025

Roadside Garages is delighted to have been named the Northern Ireland Regional Star Award winner at the Motor Ombudsman's Star Awards 2025. These national awards recognise accredited businesses and individuals who go above and beyond in their service to motorists.

Roadside Garages was praised for delivering exceptional support during a sensitive time for a customer, swiftly sourcing a replacement vehicle when repairs to their existing car were not viable. This recognition reflects our team's compassion, responsiveness, and unwavering commitment to doing what's right for our customers.

Commenting on the award, David Boyd of Roadside Garages said: "These awards are not just accolades, but a reflection of the hard work, innovation, and dedication of my entire team. To be recognised across such diverse categories is a true honour. As we look ahead, Roadside remains committed to delivering excellence for our customers and creating a workplace where our people can thrive."

Highly Commended - Community Hero

Automotive Management (AM) Awards 2025

Roadside Garages is proud to have been Highly Commended in the "Community Hero" category at the 2025 Automotive Management (AM) Awards, held at the Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge in London.

This national event celebrates excellence across the UK motor industry, bringing together many of the sector's most respected organisations. We were honoured to stand among them and to represent the incredible community that supports us.

Receiving recognition for our ongoing commitment to our local community is especially meaningful. Our customers, neighbours and friends are at the heart of everything we do, and this achievement reflects the strength of that partnership.

We extend our sincere thanks to the AM Awards judging panel, and congratulations to all fellow winners and finalists. We would also like to acknowledge David Boyd and John Law, who proudly represented Roadside Garages on the night.

We look forward to continuing our work within the community and building on this milestone in the years ahead.

NI MOTOR INDUSTRY 2024 AWARD WINS

Roadside Garages Kia Coleraine was delighted to earn two awards at the second annual Northern Ireland Motor Industry Awards.

Following Roadside Garages' success with a hattrick of awards at the inaugural NI Motor Industry Awards in 2023, the dealership has now picked up a brace of fresh awards for 2024 including "Best Community Campaign" and "Franchised Dealer Award":

Best Community Campaign - Recognises a Northern Ireland vehicle retailer's outstanding contribution to their local community.

Franchised Dealer Award - Recognises the outstanding performance of a single-site owner operator or best performing vehicle retailer within a larger dealer group network (both single franchised and multi-franchised) in Northern Ireland.

The gala awards ceremony took place again at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Belfast and was attended by around 500 motoring professionals from across Northern Ireland.

Ian Lamont of Roadside Garages, commented: "We couldn't be more delighted with these two awards, which is a great honour to win. We have a fantastic and dedicated team who I am incredibly proud of and who work so hard to serve our customers. The proof is in the pudding, as the saying goes, and this year we've seen record sales for Kia, which is a testament not only to the great products, but also to the customer service and relationships that form the backbone of our business. Thank you to the judges for their recognition of our hard work, and thank you to the team for all your continued efforts."

A Hattrick at the 2023 NI Motor Industry Awards

Roadside was ecstatic to win 3 awards in the inaugural NI Motor Industry Awards 2023! These awards were exclusively available for Northern Ireland-based vehicle retailers.

'Best Customer Service' award for demonstrating a clear ethos for delivering an outstanding customer-focused approach when helping consumers purchase a new or used vehicle and with after sales care for servicing, maintenance and repair.

'Sales Team of the Year' award which recognises the outstanding achievement of a sales team in helping achieve or exceed targets and demonstrate how it has successfully cultivated a winning team built on a customer-focused approach.

'Independent Dealer of the Year' award recognising the outstanding performance of a dealer with over 50 vehicles across one or more sites. The winner demonstrated quality and innovation across all areas of the business, from sales and after sales to marketing, training and corporate social responsibility.

Sponsored by Used Cars NI, the gala awards ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Belfast was attended by more than 480 motoring professionals representing over 40 of Northern Ireland's leading automotive businesses.

The first Northern Ireland Motor Industry Awards garnered more than 100 entries across 19 prestigious award categories and recognised the achievements, resilience, and dedication of the local automotive industry.

David Boyd of Roadside Garages, commented: "This is a fantastic achievement, and I couldn't be more delighted or proud of my team who work so hard and who these awards so nobly reward. We are a close-knit team that thrives on serving our customers, who we put above all else. These awards are a true testament to this dedication. As a community-led business, it's of the utmost importance to us to continue to serve the area with a quality service. If I was to offer advice to anyone else seeing these awards, it would be this: put your customers first and the rest will follow. Thank you to the organisers of these wonderful new awards."

Achieving Top Dealer position in Northern Ireland as well as winning a hattrick at the inaugural ceremony makes 2023 a truly memorable year that my team and I won't soon forget!

Reputation

Roadside was delighted to be placed first in Northern Ireland for the second consecutive year, and 7th in the UK overall with an impressive 911-point Reputation Score (out of a possible 1,000), just 5 points shy of first place, signifying it as a leader in Reputation Score, Reputation's proprietary index for measuring customer sentiment and online reputation.

Reputation's 2023 Global Automotive Reputation Report highlights the top car brands in Europe by assigning a Reputation Score based on feedback from 20,000 consumers across the continent. This metric has proved increasingly vital for the automotive industry, with the report revealing which automotive brands and dealerships lead the pack. This includes key dimensions of the car buying experience, highlighting the importance of customer feedback from acquisition to loyalty.

Ian Lamont, Sales Manager of Roadside, said: "Our fantastic customers have been instrumental in this achievement, so a massive thanks must go to them. It's also an amazing recognition of how all our staff have worked to ensure our customers are satisfied.

2022 Motor Ombudsman Garage Star Awards

Roadside have been declared outright winner at the Motor Ombudsman's 2022 Star Awards!

The dealership was awarded the National Garage Star trophy in the Awards, with the four-strong judging panel unanimously agreeing the County Londonderry dealer was also the worthy recipient for the regional trophy. In addition to the trophies, and in recognition of the outstanding achievement, the dealership was also awarded £1,000 in vouchers from The Motor Ombudsman.

The business was praised for its ongoing relationship with customers, dedication to sourcing new vehicles and reducing lead times to as short as possible, whilst also going above and beyond to deliver excellent customer service.

The personable approach and efforts made for customers by Roadside Garages in Northern Ireland stood out above the competition for members of the judging panel.

The Motor Ombudsman is the Ombudsman dedicated to the automotive sector. Around 1,500 online nominations were submitted by customers of Motor Ombudsman-accredited businesses across the UK, noting their experiences of businesses or individual staff members repeatedly going the extra mile.

Bill Fennell, Chief Ombudsman and Managing Director of The Motor Ombudsman, explained: "This is the third year that we have run our Star Awards, and it has been very exciting to see the buzz that they have created, and to see more customers and businesses engaging with the competition than ever before.

The Star Awards show first-hand the high calibre of businesses that are accredited to our Motor Industry Codes of Practice, and put many great examples and personal accounts of how individuals excel and go above and beyond to help their customers, firmly into the spotlight. We would like to congratulate all those who were nominated, highly commended and who won an award, including of course, our National Garage Star winner - Roadside Garages."

David Boyd, Director of Roadside (Garages) Kia, said: "We are thrilled to have won both the trophy for Northern Ireland, and this year's coveted National Garage Star Award. We faced very stiff competition in the final few, so it was a nice surprise to have been chosen by the judges and emerge with the top prize.

Our team is immensely proud of our success, and our fast-expanding trophy cabinet is testimony to our long-standing ethos of going beyond what would ordinarily be expected of us, whilst adopting an individual and personal approach so that our customers always feel like a valued member of the Roadside family. We are very grateful to those who put our name forward in this year's contest, and we look forward to welcoming them back to our showroom as The Motor Ombudsman's National Garage Star for 2022."

For more information on The Motor Ombudsman's Star Awards, visit www.TheMotorOmbudsman.org/Awards.

2022 Automotive Management Awards

The Team at Roadside Kia in Coleraine are delighted to have received an award at the 2022 Automotive Management Awards held at the Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge in London, where the industry's biggest and most influential players were there to welcome everyone to the largest National Motor Trade Awards for both Manufacturers and Dealers.

We are over the moon to have won 2nd place in the 'Best in Customer Service' category!

The Team at Roadside are most thankful to be recognised yet again at such a prestigious awards event for the fantastic customer service that we strive to offer all our customers both through sales of our New Kia and used cars, and through our class leading Service Department.

It is fantastic to be recognised at a national level but more than anything we have to say congratulations to the entire Roadside team for looking after our customers so well and to our customers for continually giving us their feedback and enabling us to continue to provide excellent customer service.

Reputation 800 Award 2022

Roadside have been awarded the Reputation 800 Award this year again, in recognition of our excellent customer service and satisfaction.

We are currently ranked nationally as the number 2 Kia dealer and 'Best in Class' so this is something we're all extremely proud of and happy to shout from the rooftops! Roadside Kia had the 2nd highest score of any UK Dealer in the Kia network with a Reputational score in excess of 900.

Reputation scores dealerships using a number of criteria ranging from: customer reviews across various websites with relevancy, time response and length of reply all taken into consideration; search engine optimisation (SEO); social media engagement; likes; shares and many other metrics. These are then used to accurately gauge a business and its online customer experience and satisfaction reputation with an overall score out of one thousand.

Kia dealerships are amongst the best in the industry, having won numerous awards from various publications and trade bodies. Kia's collective 191 dealerships across the UK have an average of 675 across Reputation, significantly higher than the automotive industry average of 562.

The team at Roadside are committed to providing excellent customer service in and around the Coleraine area and this award is testament to the continued support from our customers as well as the hard work of the entire team at the dealership.

Roadside Garages KIA (Coleraine) Earns Top-Rated Costumer Reputation Award

• One of eight Kia dealers awarded highest accolade by Reputation
• Just two Kia dealers in Northern Ireland achieved the coveted award
• Roadside Garages (Coleraine) scored 832 points out of 1,000
• Dealers marked for customer feedback, reviews, communication and many other customer-focused metrics
• Ranked far higher than the automotive industry average of 562

Roadside Garages (Coleraine) is one of eight Kia dealerships awarded the coveted 800 Award by Reputation in recognition of its stellar customer service and satisfaction.

Kia dealerships are ranked more than any other brand in Reputation's '800 Club' top 40, with eight of its dealerships appearing in the list. Roadside Garages is one of just two Kia dealerships based in Northern Ireland to have picked up the award.

Reputation scores dealerships using a number of criteria ranging from: customer reviews across various websites with relevancy, time response and length of reply all taken into consideration; search engine optimisation (SEO); social media engagement; likes; shares and many other metrics. These are then used to accurately gauge a business and its online customer experience and satisfaction reputation with an overall score out of one thousand.

Kia dealerships are amongst the best in the industry, having won numerous awards from various publications and trade bodies. Kia's collective 191 dealerships across the UK have an average of 675 across Reputation, significantly higher than the automotive industry average of 562.

We are excited to congratulate Kia UK Limited on receiving Reputation's 800 Award," says Joe Fuca, Reputation CEO, "Reaching a Reputation Score of 800 is a best in class milestone that we're proud to recognise as a badge of customer experience excellence."

Simon Hetherington, Commercial Director at Kia UK Limited adds: "The entire Kia dealer network works tirelessly to put customers first and this is true recognition of their considerable efforts. Congratulations to each of the dealers that have earned Reputation's '800 Award' and long may their success continue."

To contact Roadside Garages and find out first hand why they're a winning dealer, get in touch via the website www.kia.com/uk/dealers/roadsidekia/ or phone 0287 035 6888.

2020 Automotive Management Awards

The Team at Roadside Kia in Coleraine were this year delighted to have received two awards at the 2020 Automotive Management Awards held at the ICC in Birmingham, where over 1000 people joined in what are the largest National Motor Trade Awards for both Manufacturers and Dealers.

Roadside Kia won 2nd place in both categories for:

• Best in Customer Service
• Community Hero Award

The Team at Roadside were most thankful to be recognised twice in one evening for the good Customer Service that we try and offer all our customers both through sales of our new and used cars and also through our class leading Service Department. Testament to this is the recent independent Judge Service Survey that said that 98% of Roadside Customers would recommend us to friend and family!

It is also fantastic to be recognised at a national level for the local work that we do in the local community through the local primary schools football giveaway, and also local sports teams and charities - At Roadside we like to put something back into the local community who support us so loyally!

Best UK Dealership to Work For

Roadside (Garages) Ltd in Coleraine, Northern Ireland, has been named one of the UK's Best Dealerships to Work For for the last 3 years running. The programme, which is run by Automotive Management, the UK's leading automotive retail business publication, is a celebration of elite employers in the automotive franchised dealer industry who have proven that they know what it takes to create an environment where people love to come to work.

The aim of programme is to raise the bar among industry employers, creating excellence and employee engagement that will attract talented people for years to come.

Roadside (Garages) Ltd has been consistently recognised for providing an outstanding workplace environment that engages its staff and allows them to flourish. The company is committed to ensuring its employees are motivated and happy through a range of benefits, and promotes a positive workplace culture through:

• Understanding that real improvement starts with a commitment from the top.
• Defining their corporate values and living by them.
• Hiring for team and cultural fit.
• Evaluating productivity versus time served.
• Embracing flexibility.
• Hiring and promoting leaders who love what they do.
• Placing trust and respect at the centre of all relationships.

As a family owned Kia dealership Roadside (Garages) Limited provides a wide range of jobs and careers within the motor trade. The company aims to provide an excellent work-life balance and tries to enrich the lives of all staff by cultivating a family, friendly atmosphere. It also pays an annual bonus for attendance. Long service is recognised by a gift or meal, and the company is proud to be able to say that its 5 longest serving team members have more than 100 years' experience serving Roadside customers and almost 30% of Roadside staff have more than 10 years' service, making Roadside's staff retention amongst the highest in the motor industry.

Car Dealer Used Car Awards - Used Car Dealership of the Year

Roadside Kia has been honoured at the prestigious Car Dealer Used Car Awards for the last 3 years. The dealership was presented its award for Used Car Dealership of the Year in 2017 by TV's Wheeler Dealer, Mike Brewer, and were delighted to receive Highly Commended Awards in 2018 and 2019.

The coveted award - which in 2017 saw Roadside Kia triumph over an exceptionally strong field - recognises the dealer for excellence across the board. All nominees receive several difficult mystery shopper visits before a panel of expert judges scored them against a demanding set of standards.

Mike Brewer states: "Organisation is key when running a site populated by 100 or more cars and keeping your customers happy with so much in stock is a hard task. Roadside Kia can give themselves a much-deserved pat on the back for their awards."

Roadside is proud that as a business we place great value on our excellent reputation and work incredibly hard to ensure we offer the very highest standards of customer care across all areas. These awards show we are on the right track.

Kia Approved Used Car Award 2020

Mr Kevin Henderson from Regional Used Car Manager presents the Roadside Team with their 100 Club Certificate for Kia Approved Used Cars. This is the 2nd year running that Roadside Kia have won the award for selling the most Approved Kia cars in Northern Ireland in fact more than the rest of dealers put together.