Garej Arwyn Cyf scores third consecutive win in The Motor Ombudsman’s Star Awards

• Garej Arwyn Cyf, an independent garage in Penygroes (Gwynedd), has won this year’s Regional Star Award for Wales   
• They become the first Motor Ombudsman-accredited business in the history of the competition to win a trophy three years in a row
• Garej Arwyn Cyf, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, was recognised by a consumer for conducting repairs to their vehicle with no prior notice in an already-busy schedule for the vehicle repairer
• The Motor Ombudsman’s annual Star Awards contest allows customers to recognise accredited businesses and individual team members across the country who have gone the extra mile when assisting them

Garej Arwyn Cyf, an independent vehicle repairer in Penygroes, Gwynedd, has been crowned the winner of The Motor Ombudsman’s Regional Star Award for Wales for the third year in a row. This is the first time that any Motor Ombudsman-accredited business has achieved such a feat since the Star Awards competition debuted in 2020. The Ombudsman’s annual contest allows customers to shine the spotlight on businesses and individuals across the UK that are signed up to the body’s respected Motor Industry Codes of Practice, for going above and beyond the call of duty.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Garej Arwyn’s journey to their latest triumph started earlier this year with The Motor Ombudsman inviting consumers to share their ‘good news stories’ – short explanations detailing how a business or an individual staff member went the extra mile in their ‘time of need’. At the culmination of the nomination period, these gestures of altruism, kindness and generosity, shown within the heart-warming accounts received by The Motor Ombudsman, were then whittled down to form a shortlist of three finalists across eight regions, spanning Cornwall in the south to Scotland in the north.  

From these submissions, it was up to the judges appointed for this year’s contest – motor industry and consumer experts, to come to a joint consensus as to the names to be etched on to this year’s trophies, as well as the two runners-up for each category. For the Regional Star Award for Wales, and up against stiff competition from a car dealership and another independent garage, it was the immediate response by Garej Arwyn to help a consumer who needed an urgent repair to their vehicle, with no prior notice, that caught the eye of the panel – awarding them the win for the third consecutive year.

Arwyn Hughes, Director at Garej Arwyn Cyf, said: “We are truly blown away by winning the Welsh regional trophy once again, and being the first to claim a consecutive hat-trick of wins. This is a reflection of the sheer determination and continued dedication to providing the best level of service and to doing whatever we can to help, as we know how critical vehicles are to the independence of local residents.”

Arwyn added: “This is a very timely achievement as we celebrate two decades of serving motorists, and we are truly grateful to all the customers who put us forward with such great feedback.”

Bill Fennell, Chief Ombudsman and Managing Director of The Motor Ombudsman, said: “We would like to congratulate Garej Arwyn on winning the Regional Star Award for Wales for the third year in a row, which is a very impressive feat.

“The way that the business went the extra mile for a customer in their time of need, is a perfect example of the great service that our accredited garage network can provide to motorists across the country. We look forward to working alongside Garej Arwyn for many more years to come.”

“We would like to congratulate Garej Arwyn on winning the Regional Star Award for Wales for the third year in a row, which is a very impressive feat.”

Bill Fennell

Chief Ombudsman and Managing Director at The Motor Ombudsman

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

ENDS

Team photo (from left to right): Steffan, Elin, Sioned, Gwenfair, and Martin

Judging panel for The Motor Ombudsman’s 2025 Star Awards

Bill Fennell: Chief Ombudsman and Managing Director, The Motor Ombudsman (Host Judge)

Neil Barlow: Head of Vehicle Policy and Engineering, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) 

Lesley Crompton: Head of Resolution Services, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI)

Nicola St Clair: Editor, Autotechnician Magazine