UK Finance Awards 2024 / 6 Finding a quality used car isn’t always as easy as it should be. Scanning ads, motor magazines, websites and main dealers takes time and effort and can still leave you pondering whether you did, in fact, get the best deal. Often, finding a trusted independent used car dealer can be the best and quickest option to ensure you get the most motor for your money. From the beginning, MB Motors in Ballymena has had customer service at its heart. The business, founded by Malcolm in 2009, has come a long way. Employing a small but committed team, the company’s ability to adapt and evolve has resulted in consistent sales growth year-on-year. Today MB Motors is reporting a turnover of more than £9 million. Malcolm tells us, “We’ve worked hard over the past 7 years to get our business to the ‘completed’ stage. I’m extremely proud that we’ve turned something that was essentially a sideline to begin with into a dream business.” With over 1,500 5-star reviews on Facebook and Google, MB Motors has plenty to shout about. As for Malcolm, he is definitely not resting on his laurels. By closely examining and continually improving the service it offers to clients, MB Motors is leading the market as a trusted car dealership. The company is gaining market share from well-known main dealerships. Malcolm wants to ensure his staff are happy too and is always looking for new ways to appreciate and reward their efforts. MB Motors has also added three additional staff members in the last two months. Malcolm says, “We always do the right thing. The public may believe they get the best service from main dealers, but we do it better. Our team is like a family and we’re all invested in making sure every customer has the best possible experience.” Having recently invested in a new modern website, Malcolm and the team are already seeing the benefits. Viewing and treating the website as MB Motors online showroom is paying dividends. The company has seen a marked increase in the number of customers who buy cars without even visiting its dealership. Malcolm’s car-finding service, #SourceIt, benefits from his exceptional industry knowledge and extensive network. The customer can input the details of the type of car they are looking for and their budget, and Malcolm and the team get to work to source a great deal for them. At its new workshop, MB Motors also offers diagnostics, repairs and servicing to both new and existing customers. Malcolm tells us, “My ethos has always been to offer customers the best experience and provide top-class service. Investing in the new website allows us to build trust and brand awareness with a wider audience. We’re adding content to the website that answers questions you might ask when searching for your next vehicle. That means we’re ranking well for relevant locationbased keywords and that brings more people to the site.” Malcolm Beattie has come a long way since running a small lot at the side of his house. In the past 15 years, the Ballymena entrepreneur has grown his business to stock over 100 cars, built a 240m2 workshop and even opened an on-site staff gym. But Malcolm’s success is driven by more than simple business growth. We chat with him about why it’s important to stay upto-date with business trends and his ongoing commitment to the local community. Car Dealer of the Year 2024 - Northern Ireland & Excellence Award for Vehicle Finance Support 2024 - Northern Ireland
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTY1MjM3