EIGHT Kia dealerships have been awarded the sought-after 800 Award by Reputation in recognition of their customer service and satisfaction.

In fact Kia dealerships rank more than any other car brand in Reputation's ‘800 Club' top 40.

Reputation scores dealerships using a number of criteria ranging from customer reviews across various websites, time response and length of reply to search engine optimisation and social media engagement.

These are then used to accurately gauge a business and its online customer experience and satisfaction reputation with an overall score out of 1,000.

Kia outlets are proven to be among the best in the industry, its 191 dealerships across the UK having an average of 675 across Reputation, significantly higher than the automotive industry average of 562.

Reputation chief Joe Puca said: "We are excited to congratulate Kia UK Limited on receiving Reputation's 800 Award. Reaching a Reputation score of 800 is a best in class milestone that we're proud to recognise as a badge of customer experience excellence."

And Kia UK's commercial director Simon Hetherington added: "The entire Kia dealer network works tirelessly to put customers first and this is true recognition of their considerable efforts."

Earlier this year, three Kia dealerships - Ken Jervis (Stoke-on-Trent), Gravells (Kidwelly) and Drayton Motors (Louth) - were awarded the Institute of Customer Service's highest ‘ServiceMark with Distinction' accreditation, marking the first time the award had ever been given to a dealership of any brand.

The eight dealerships are receiving the 800 Award by Reputation are Drayton Motors (Louth) with 889 points, Gravells (Abergavenny) 863, Gravells (Narberth) 857, Ken Jervis (Stoke-on-Trent) 846, Vertu (Bradford) 841, Acorn (Crewe) 836, T C Autos (Omagh) 835 and Roadside Garages (Coleraine) with 832 points.