Pendragon claims to have launched the UK's first automotive 'click and collect' service as it reports having made a 36% jump in underlying profits in 2014.

The UK's largest car dealer increased revenue in 2014 by £151 million (3.9%) to £4 billion and underlying profit before tax rose from £44.2 million to £60.2m, according to its full year results posted to the London Stock Exchange.

Trevor Finn, chief executive, said: "The heart of our proposition is to offer value, choice, service and convenience to our consumers from our key brands of Evanshalshaw.com and Stratstone.com. 

"We have expanded our convenience proposition, with the launch of 'Move Me Closer' on Evanshalshaw.com - the UK's first automotive 'click and collect' service and enhanced our value proposition with the implementation of 'Sell Your Car'.

"We have a clear strategy which will enable us to continue to grow and are well positioned to take the business to the next level."

Pendragon said Move Me Closer launches this month to enable the consumer to reserve a vehicle direct from their electronic device and choose to have it physically delivered to their nearest Evans Halshaw location for their viewing, on payment of a refundable £200 reservation fee.

Through this service, consumers can research and view online over 20,000 vehicles then inspect the vehicle they reserved at a physical location convenient to them, back by Evans Halshaw's five day price guarantee.

Its launch follows Pendragon's roll out last year of its Evans Halshaw Sell Your Car initiative which guarantees to pay more than rival Webuyanycar to customers wishing to dispose of their current vehicle.