One in two dealer groups still use manual, locked key cabinets for securing and managing customer car keys while the vehicle is in for service or repair.

Less than one in five have networked electronic key management systems which track key and vehicle movements and deliver management reports.

Paul Smith, managing director of electronic key management systems iB Management Solutions, said: "Those dealers who have already made the move are generating rewarding returns which are leaving their competitors playing catch up.”

However, iB Management Solutions survey of dealer council heads at a recent AM briefing found motor retailers are focused on online and physical customer engagement plus investment in workshop diagnostics.

One in two expect their IT spend to rise in 2011, although two in three were not satisfied with their DMS.