A Teddington business has been shortlisted in the Best Service category of the 2025 National Business Awards. 

Palmdale Car Finders was founded 20 years ago by Ashley Winston who is "obsessed with customer service in a sector that is typically not; the used car sector".

From a very early age, Winston was obsessed by anything car related. His favourite toy was his large collection of Corgi model cars.

It took until age 18 for Winston to buy his own first car (a 1967 Volvo 122) but he soon realised that you could own more than one car at a time. Buying each of those cars taught him something new.

Having personally had a wide range of experiences sourcing his own cars that ranged from occasionally good, through to awful, Winston realised that there was a real need for a trustworthy car finding service for those without car buying experience.

Ashley aged 19 in his Morris Minor (Image supplied)

20 years on, he has delighted thousands of clients by helping them find cars that they love -  exactly meeting their taste, needs and budgets – always reliable, safe, and able to provide years of service. 

Winston said: "Too many people have an awful experience buying a used car. It's our mission to help as many people as possible so that their 'new' car is a source of pleasure. That's why Palmdale exists."

 He added: "Impartial independent car advice is difficult to come by. Too often, we hear about poor dealers offering bad service and selling unsatisfactory cars.

"This is where a car finding service is invaluable. Our customers are not car experts, they are time poor and may not even know what make and model would suit their lifestyle best. We use our thorough processes and two decades of experience to provide honest guidance and ensure they end up with the perfect car.

 "We help lots of busy families and professionals as well as plenty of newly qualified drivers (taking insurance premiums into account) and lucky people buying something special they have always dreamed of.

"Every customer is unique. We treat them that way. Everything we do makes sure the level of customer service they receive reflects the sizeable investment they are making.

 "And we've recently taken our 20 years of experience to create Palmdale's free Ultimate Used Car Buying Guide. Even if people choose to do everything themselves, they can at least do it with a bucket-load of great free advice."

 Last year data from Citizens Advice* revealed that problems with used cars are consistently the top complaint - receiving a complaint about a used car every three minutes.  

The Awards will be announced at a glittering Awards event at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Stansted on 14 November.