Cookie Policy

Last updated: 1 October 2025

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to website owners.

This Cookie Policy explains how MOTChecker.com uses cookies and similar tracking technologies, in compliance with UK GDPR and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).

How We Use Cookies

MOTChecker.com uses cookies to:

  • Remember your preferences and settings (e.g., dark mode)
  • Understand how you interact with our website
  • Analyze website traffic and usage patterns
  • Improve our services and user experience
  • Ensure our website functions properly

Browser Storage Technologies

Our website uses cookies and browser storage (localStorage) to enhance your experience. Below is a complete inventory of what we store:

1. First-Party Cookies

These are cookies set directly by MOTChecker.com:

Cookie NamePurposeDuration
sidebar-stateRemembers whether the sidebar is open or closed7 days

2. LocalStorage (Not Cookies)

We use your browser's localStorage to remember your preferences locally:

Storage ItemPurposeType
themeStores your dark/light mode preference locallyFunctional
currentRegistrationRemembers your last searched vehicle registration locallyFunctional
admin-tokenAdmin authentication token sent to server for blog management accessEssential

Note: Most localStorage items stay on your device only. The admin-token is sent to our server when accessing the blog admin area. You can clear localStorage through your browser settings.

3. Analytics Cookies (Third-Party)

We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our website. These cookies collect information anonymously and report website trends without identifying individual visitors.

Cookie NamePurposeDuration
_gaDistinguishes unique users2 years
_ga_*Stores and counts page views2 years
_gidDistinguishes unique users24 hours

For more information about Google Analytics cookies, see Google's Analytics Cookie Usage documentation.

Summary of Storage

What We Set Directly

  • First-Party Cookie: sidebar-state (remembers sidebar preference)
  • LocalStorage: theme, currentRegistration, admin-token (preferences and admin access)

Third-Party Cookies

These are cookies set by external services we use:

  • Google Analytics: Tracking cookies (_ga, _ga_*, _gid) provided by Google LLC

Third-party cookies are governed by the privacy policies of their respective providers.

How to Manage Cookies

Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:

  • Block all cookies
  • Block third-party cookies only
  • Delete cookies after each browsing session
  • Accept cookies from specific websites

To manage cookies in your browser, visit the help section or use these links:

Opt Out of Google Analytics

To opt out of Google Analytics across all websites, install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

Impact of Blocking Cookies

Please note: If you block cookies, some features of our website may not work properly. For example, your theme preference may not be saved between sessions.

Cookie Consent and Compliance

Currently, our website does not use a cookie consent banner. Google Analytics cookies are set automatically when you visit the site. We are working to implement a proper consent mechanism in the future.

Your Options

You can control cookies through:

  • Browser Settings: Block or delete cookies (see "How to Manage Cookies" section above)
  • Google Analytics Opt-out: Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
  • LocalStorage: Clear your browser's local storage to remove saved preferences

Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers have a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that signals to websites that you don't want your online activity tracked. Currently, there is no industry standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals. MOTChecker.com does not specifically respond to DNT signals, but you can control cookies through your browser settings as described above.

Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our cookie practices or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons. The "Last updated" date at the top shows when this policy was last revised.

We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies.

More Information About Cookies

To learn more about cookies and how they work, visit:

Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies, please contact us: