Recognition built on customer experience
Freewheel Autos has been awarded Autotrader Highly Rated for Customer Service 2026, recognising the consistently excellent experiences and reviews shared by our customers over the past year.
For us, the recognition is particularly important because it comes back to something we have focused on from the beginning. Buying a car should feel straightforward, informed, and personal. Whether someone is choosing their first electric vehicle, upgrading to a prestige model or they already know exactly what they are looking for, the experience surrounding the car matters just as much as the vehicle itself.
Our current Autotrader dealer reviews and profile show Freewheel Autos with a “Highly Rated” 4.9 out of 5 stars, alongside feedback from customers who have bought and sold vehicles through us. This recognition reflects that our committed focus to exceptional customer experience.
What the Autotrader Highly Rated award means
The Autotrader Highly Rated programme is an annual recognition for retailers that consistently perform well through customer reviews.
According to Autotrader’s official Highly Rated criteria, retailers recognised in 2026 needed to achieve an average customer rating of at least 4.5 stars, consistently generate reviews in proportion to their sales, receive a minimum of 10 reviews and respond to 95% of one and two-star reviews during the qualifying period.
Importantly, Autotrader explains that the award is based on customer reviews and is not a personal endorsement or recommendation from Autotrader itself. It is recognition of retailers whose customers have consistently reported positive experiences.
That distinction is important to us because ultimately it is the experience our customers have had that has led to this recognition.
Are customer reviews important?
Customer reviews are increasingly important when choosing where to buy a car. A vehicle may look good on paper, but buyers also want confidence in the business behind it. They want to know whether questions will be answered clearly, whether the vehicle has been described accurately and whether they will receive support throughout the buying process.
Autotrader says 93% of consumers report that online reviews affect their purchase decision, demonstrating just how important reputation and transparency have become within the car-buying journey.
For us, those services are not simply additional features. They are part of making the process easier and giving customers the information they need to choose the right vehicle.
Why customer service matters when buying a premium used car
Customer service becomes even more important when buying a prestige, performance, or electric vehicle.
Premium cars can vary considerably in specification. Two cars of the same age and model may have different equipment, service histories, ownership backgrounds, and condition.
Electric vehicles introduce additional considerations. Battery health, charging capability, usable range and remaining manufacturer warranty can all influence whether a particular car is right for you.
All this means a good buying experience should involve more than handing over the keys.
At Freewheel Autos, our focus is on helping customers understand the vehicle they are considering. That includes explaining the specification, vehicle history, and the practical differences between models rather than simply presenting a list of features.
For electric vehicles, we have taken that approach further by introducing independent AVILOO battery health testing, giving customers additional information about the condition of one of the most important components of an EV.
Our approach to prestige and electric vehicles
Freewheel Autos specialises in prestige electric and performance vehicles, with each car carefully selected and assessed before being offered for sale.
Our Autotrader profile highlights the vehicle preparation standards we apply, including vehicle health checks and HPI checks, alongside services such as part exchange, finance, nationwide home delivery, and personalised video viewings.
For customers considering an electric vehicle, specialist knowledge can be particularly useful. Questions around battery health, real-world range, charging, and specification are common, especially for somebody moving from petrol or diesel for the first time.
Rather than assuming one type of car is right for everyone, we want to understand how the customer actually drives and what they expect from their next vehicle.
Sometimes that means electric. Sometimes it does not. What matters is finding the right car for the person buying it.
Continuing to raise the standard
Receiving Autotrader Highly Rated recognition does not mean the work stops.
Autotrader reviews its standards each year, and previous recognition does not automatically qualify a retailer in future years. Retailers must continue meeting the relevant review and customer-service criteria.
That is how we prefer to look at the award. It is recognition of what customers have experienced so far, but it also gives us another benchmark to maintain as Freewheel Autos continues to grow.
As our focus develops further around premium, performance and electric vehicles, the customer experience will remain an important part of what makes Freewheel Autos special.
Choosing your next car with confidence
Being named Autotrader Highly Rated for Customer Service 2026 is something we are proud of because the recognition ultimately comes back to customer feedback.
We are grateful to everyone who has taken the time to leave a review, recommend Freewheel Autos or trust us with their next vehicle.
If you are considering changing your car, you can browse our current vehicles or speak to the Freewheel Autos team if you would like help comparing your options.
If you are particularly interested in electric, please read our guide to the best used premium electric cars to consider in 2026 to explore some of the models currently worth considering.
To find out more please contact us.
Email – sales@freewheel.autos
Telephone – 01257 650654