The feature enables customers to book cars in for servicing, MOT, repair work – or to have a new set of tyres fitted. Unlike other carmakers’ online booking systems, the Mazda service enables Mazda’s dealers to upload their own available time slots to provide greater control over their workshops.

‘Research shows that more than 80% of customers want to book their car in to a dealer online, so that they can do it at their convenience.  So that’s what we’re giving them. It will be a feature across all dealer websites,’ explained Mazda UK aftersales director David Wilson-Green.

‘It’s all about building loyalty through customer convenience.’

The websites use a central Mazda UK template to enable the carmaker to centrally upload details of national campaign but are tailored to each dealer so they can enter stock and local offers.

In the near future, dealers will also have the option to offer customers a new online tyre package. Customers can key in their registration number and all available tyre options for their car from most major tyre brands are automatically listed.

‘Mazda dealers can supply tyres at very competitive prices and given that tyres are often the first thing that drivers go elsewhere to buy, it is essential we promote our offering to make customers aware,’ said Wilson-Green.

The new service also offers “live chat” to speed up response times to customer queries.