Privacy Policy

Last updated: 1 October 2025

Introduction

MOTChecker.com ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our vehicle MOT checking service.

We operate in compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Data Controller

Service Name: MOTChecker.com
Contact Email: motcheckersite@gmail.com
Purpose: Vehicle MOT history and information service

Information We Collect

1. Vehicle Information

When you use our service, we collect vehicle registration numbers that you enter to search for MOT history. This data is processed through official UK government APIs:

  • DVSA MOT History API - for MOT test records and vehicle details
  • DVLA Vehicle Enquiry Service API - for vehicle tax and registration information

2. Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain information about your device, including:

  • IP address
  • Browser type and version
  • Device type (desktop, mobile, tablet)
  • Operating system
  • Pages visited and time spent on our site
  • Referring website

3. Contact Form Information

If you contact us through our contact form, we collect:

  • Your name
  • Email address
  • Subject and message content

4. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies. For detailed information, please see our Cookie Policy.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

  • To Provide Our Service: Processing vehicle registration lookups and displaying MOT history and vehicle information
  • To Improve Our Service: Analyzing usage patterns to enhance user experience and functionality
  • To Communicate: Responding to your inquiries and support requests
  • For Analytics: Understanding how visitors use our site to improve performance and content
  • Legal Compliance: Meeting legal obligations and protecting our rights

Legal Basis for Processing

Under UK GDPR, we process your personal data based on:

  • Legitimate Interest: Providing vehicle information services to help vehicle owners and prospective buyers make informed decisions
  • Consent: When you voluntarily provide information through our contact form or accept cookies
  • Legal Obligation: When required to comply with UK laws and regulations

Data Sharing and Third Parties

Government APIs

We share vehicle registration numbers with:

  • DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency): To retrieve MOT test history
  • DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency): To retrieve vehicle tax and registration details

These agencies process data under their own privacy policies, which you can review at:

Email Service Provider

Contact form submissions are processed through Resend, our email service provider. For their privacy policy, visit Resend Privacy Policy.

Analytics

We use Google Analytics to analyze website usage. Google Analytics collects information anonymously and reports website trends without identifying individual visitors. For more information, see Google's Privacy Policy.

We Do Not Sell Your Data

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

Data Retention

  • Vehicle Search Data: We do not permanently store vehicle registration numbers you search for. Searches are processed in real-time through government APIs
  • Contact Form Data: Retained for up to 2 years to maintain communication history and provide support
  • Analytics Data: Retained for 26 months in accordance with Google Analytics settings
  • Cookies: Retention periods vary by cookie type - see our Cookie Policy

Your Rights Under UK GDPR

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

  • Right to Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
  • Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
  • Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data (subject to legal obligations)
  • Right to Restriction: Request restriction of processing in certain circumstances
  • Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
  • Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
  • Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at motcheckersite@gmail.com. For more detailed information, see our GDPR Rights page.

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

  • Secure HTTPS encryption for all data transmission
  • Secure database storage with access controls
  • Regular security assessments and updates
  • Restricted access to personal data on a need-to-know basis

However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

International Data Transfers

Your personal data is primarily processed and stored within the United Kingdom. Some of our service providers (such as Google Analytics) may process data internationally. When data is transferred outside the UK, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place in accordance with UK GDPR requirements.

Children's Privacy

Our service is not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately so we can delete it.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page indicates when this policy was last revised. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

Complaints to the ICO

If you believe we have not handled your personal data properly, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO): Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF. Phone: 0303 123 1113. Website: ico.org.uk