The IMDA marks its seventh birthday as more car dealers join

The Independent Motor Dealers Association has marked its seventh birthday in a year that has brought hundreds of new members to join its ranks.

Founded on November 5, 2017, by six used car dealers and one industry expert to be a mouthpiece for independents and enable them to share and learn best practice, the association has gone from strength to strength since its inception.

It now provides members with support such as free legal advice, a service support network, masterclass events on hot topics such as AI, an employment and HR helpline, exclusive motor trade insurance and direct IMDA contact with the DVLA to assist with members' issues.

In the last 12 months its membership, which is free, has rocketed by almost a third, with more than 500 new independent dealers joining.

IMDA chairman Umesh Samani, who also runs his Specialist Cars Stoke dealership, said: “It’s amazing, when we started out seven years ago who would have thought we would get to this position today, I can only thank the partners who have supported us each year, the founders' committee and the current committee for all the efforts they put in behind the scenes, and of course the members who have joined and support each other with their advice and knowledge."

In 2022 the IMDA hosted a panel discussion at Automotive Management Live, in which they tackled some of the looming issues and opportunities such as electric vehicles and stock sourcing.

Stuart Saunders, co-founder and current treasurer of the IMDA, and owner of the Urban Car Company near Cambridge, added: “The association was formed to help like-minded independent motor dealers, who quite often are left without a voice or support. We wanted to change that.

"This is just the beginning, and we will work away to ensure the IMDA continues to grow and provide more support, services and a voice for our members.”