Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 2024

CompareMOTHistory.com ("we", "us", "our") respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you visit our website.

Summary

  • ✅ We analyze aggregated, anonymized MOT statistics only
  • ✅ We do NOT collect or store personal data (names, emails, addresses)
  • ✅ We do NOT collect or store vehicle registration numbers (VRMs)
  • ✅ Analytics cookies require your explicit consent (GDPR/UK GDPR compliant)
  • ✅ You can opt out at any time via our Cookie Settings

What Data We Collect

1. Website Analytics (Optional - Requires Consent)

If you accept analytics cookies, we collect:

Data Type Examples Purpose
Page views Which articles you read Improve content
Referral source Google, social media, direct Understand traffic
Device type Mobile, desktop, tablet Optimize design
Browser Chrome, Safari, Firefox Ensure compatibility
Geographic region Country, region (not precise location) Localize content
Session duration Time spent on site Measure engagement
Outbound clicks Clicks to MOT Ninja Attribution tracking

Tools used: Google Analytics (GA4) and/or Plausible Analytics

Legal basis: Your explicit consent (GDPR Article 6(1)(a))

IP anonymization: Enabled on all analytics to protect your privacy

2. Essential Technical Data (No Consent Required)

To make the website function, we automatically collect:

  • Server logs: IP address (anonymized after 30 days), request time, URL accessed
  • Cookie consent preferences: Your accept/reject decision (stored locally in your browser)

Legal basis: Legitimate interest (GDPR Article 6(1)(f)) - necessary for website operation

3. MOT Data (Public, Anonymized)

We analyze the DVSA's public MOT test dataset (January-December 2024). This data is:

  • ✅ Aggregated (grouped by make, model, age)
  • ✅ Anonymized (no VRMs, owner details, or test centers)
  • ✅ Published by DVSA for public use

We do NOT collect VRMs or any personal data from this dataset.

What We DON'T Collect

  • ❌ Personal information (names, emails, phone numbers, addresses)
  • ❌ Vehicle registration numbers (VRMs)
  • ❌ Precise geolocation (GPS coordinates)
  • ❌ Login credentials (we have no user accounts)
  • ❌ Payment information (we don't sell anything directly)
  • ❌ Social media profiles or tracking
  • ❌ Biometric or health data

Cookies

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

Quick summary:

  • Essential cookies: Always active (required for website to work)
  • Analytics cookies: Require your consent (can be rejected)
  • Marketing cookies: We don't use these currently

Manage your preferences: Cookie Settings

How We Use Your Data

Analytics Data (If Consented)

  • Improve website content and user experience
  • Understand which guides are most helpful
  • Measure traffic sources and conversion rates
  • Optimize site performance and design

Technical Data

  • Deliver website content to your browser
  • Prevent abuse and security threats
  • Remember your cookie consent preferences
  • Comply with legal obligations

Data Sharing & Third Parties

Google Analytics (If Enabled)

If you accept analytics cookies, we use Google Analytics (GA4) to analyze website usage. Google may process your data under their own privacy policy.

We have configured Google Analytics with:

  • ✅ IP anonymization
  • ✅ Data retention: 26 months
  • ✅ Demographics & interests reports: Disabled
  • ✅ Advertising features: Disabled

Plausible Analytics (If Enabled)

Plausible is a privacy-first, GDPR-compliant alternative. They don't collect personal data or use cookies.

MOT Ninja (Affiliate Partner)

When you click links to motninja.co.uk, you leave our site and are subject to their privacy policy. We include UTM parameters (tracking codes) in links for attribution.

  • We do NOT share your personal data with MOT Ninja
  • MOT Ninja operates independently and has their own privacy policy

Cloudflare (Hosting)

Our site is hosted on Cloudflare Pages. Cloudflare may process server logs for security and performance.

We Do NOT

  • ❌ Sell your data to third parties
  • ❌ Share data with advertisers
  • ❌ Use data for profiling or automated decision-making

Your Rights (GDPR/UK GDPR)

Under UK and EU data protection law, you have the right to:

Right What It Means
✅ Access Request a copy of your data
✅ Rectification Correct inaccurate data
✅ Erasure Request deletion of your data
✅ Restriction Limit how we process your data
✅ Portability Receive your data in a portable format
✅ Object Object to data processing
✅ Withdraw consent Change your cookie preferences anytime
✅ Complain Lodge a complaint with the ICO

How to exercise your rights: Email [email protected] with "Privacy Request" in the subject line.

Note: Because we collect minimal data (mainly anonymous analytics), there may be little or no personal data to access or delete.

Data Retention

Data Type Retention Period
Cookie consent preferences 1 year (then re-prompt)
Google Analytics data 26 months
Server logs 30 days (then anonymized/deleted)
MOT dataset Permanent (public, anonymized)

International Data Transfers

Our website is hosted on Cloudflare's CDN, which may transfer data outside the UK/EU. Cloudflare uses:

  • ✅ Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)
  • ✅ EU-US Data Privacy Framework
  • ✅ Adequate security safeguards

Google Analytics may transfer data to the US under similar safeguards.

Children's Privacy

Our website is not directed at children under 16. We do not knowingly collect data from children.

If you believe we have collected data from a child, contact us immediately at [email protected] and we will delete it.

Security

We protect your data using:

  • ✅ HTTPS encryption (SSL/TLS)
  • ✅ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers
  • ✅ Secure hosting (Cloudflare)
  • ✅ Minimal data collection (privacy by design)
  • ✅ Regular security reviews

No system is 100% secure, but we use industry best practices.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by:

  • Updating the "Last updated" date at the top
  • Posting a notice on the website homepage

We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

Contact Us

Questions about privacy or data protection?

Email: [email protected]
Subject: Privacy Enquiry

Regulatory Information

Data Controller: CompareMOTHistory.com
Location: United Kingdom
Applicable laws:

  • 🇬🇧 UK GDPR (Data Protection Act 2018)
  • 🇪🇺 EU GDPR (Regulation 2016/679)
  • 🇬🇧 PECR (Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003)

Supervisory Authority: Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
ICO Website: ico.org.uk
ICO Helpline: 0303 123 1113

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