Motors.co.uk has told car dealers not to leave customers out in the cold over the festive by updating their answerphone messages in preparation for a rise in post-Christmas enquiries.

The online car search specialist expects enquiries to rise from 3pm on Christmas Day as consumers start hunting for sales and has highlighted the importance of making customers aware of the business’ Christmas opening hours.

Last year, Motors.co.uk saw a 65% increase in visitors on Boxing Day compared to Christmas Day, with many consumers using new tablets or smartphones they receive as gifts to shop online.

Phill Jones, managing director of Motors.co.uk, said: “Thanks to online shopping, Christmas Day has become one of the major days in the retail calendar and the automotive industry is now exception.

“With this in mind, car dealers need to take the right steps to ensure consumers are not left in the dark if they try to get in touch about a vehicle. We predict a rise in dealers leads from late on Christmas Day until the start of the new year.

“We recommend that dealers set up an answerphone message and an out of office email reply that clearly state the dealership’s opening hours during the festive period so potential customers know when they can expect a response.”