Mazda has hit back at claims that it has a restricted warranty programme forcing customers to use its own franchised dealers for servicing.

A press release making the claim was issued today by Which?, owned and produced by Consumers' Association. Mazda has reported that the release is factually incorrect and will be requesting that the Consumer Association publish a correction.

In a statement Mazda says, “Customers have always been able to have their vehicle serviced outside of the Mazda dealer network without affecting their warranty rights, but servicing must be carried out at the correct time and mileage intervals.”