Mazda dealers have reported a 50% increase in bodyshop work a year after the Japanese manufacturer introduced its free Call Mazda First accident aftercare service.

Work generated by Call Mazda First has more than doubled since its launch to around 150 jobs a month with each job worth an average £540 in labour revenue.

Vis Pallay at TW White & Sons in Surrey said the dealer's bodyshop work had increased by more than 50% since Call Mazda First started in August 2009.

Customers that use Call Mazda First are directed through a Mazda Approved Accident Repair Centre, ensuring that any repairs use genuine parts and are to Mazda standards.

Pallay said: "It has made a big difference to our business in terms of volumes and parts turnover - plus it has improved our customer retention.

"In the past we would give a quote for repairs however customers went back to their insurers and were directed to the insurers own approved bodyshop list. Now that the core Mazda brand is behind us we are finding that we are now winning around 98% of the business we quote for.

"Customers feel they are dealing not just with us, the dealer, but with Mazda the brand and this gives them confidence to stand their ground with the insurance company as to where they want to take their vehicle for repair. We can offer genuine parts and manufacturer-backed guarantees.”

Suzy Doutch, Mazda UK bodyshop programme manager, said the scheme was helping dealers with parts sales with an average of £600 worth for each job.

Mazda currently has 177 Mazda Approved Accident Repair Centres (MAARC's). The developments are part of the Mazda Accident Aftercare programme, launched last year.