Mazda has launched a new car sales initiative through Facebook Deals which offers 20% off an MX-5 if the customer uses their smartphone to “check-in” at five eligible dealerships in the UK.

The deal uses Facebook’s new Places application which allows users to “check-in” at real world locations and post the fact up on their profile.

Machargs in Glasgow, Romford Mazda, RRG Mazda in Manchester, MKG3000 Mazda in Twickenham or Vospers Mazda in Exeter will all be offering the deal.

To be eligible for the 20% discount on a Mazda MX-5 the customer checks-in on Facebook at one of the five Mazda dealerships via the most recent version of the Facebook app or their smartphone, 'claims the deal' and presents their deal voucher, via their mobile phone, to the salesperson.

The deal will be offered from January 31 until March 7, 2011. Customers will also have the chance to win a MX-5 Miyako special edition for five months.

The same check-in process applies for the competition, but then the customer must enter their details into the data pod in the dealership.

The five competition winners will be drawn at random at the end of the competition period.

Claire Andrews, marketing director, Mazda UK, said: “Social media has always been about communicating to as wide a range of people as you want, but until now has not given any commercial benefits to consumers.

"Facebook Deals recognises the consumer's appetite for a deal and brings a real financial benefit to social media use. Just by being one of Facebook's 26 million UK users you are suddenly entitled to some fantastic offers and 20% off Mazda's MX-5, is a deal you cannot get anywhere else."