This policy explains what personal data MOT Check Now collects when you use our vehicle checker, how we use it and what rights you have. We aim to collect as little as we need. We write it to comply with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
In short: we use registration numbers to fetch vehicle records, email addresses to send reports and reminders, and order details to take payment and keep accounts. We never display keeper or owner details, and we never see or store your card number.
Who we are
MOT Check Now is operated by MOT Check Now. For the purposes of data protection law, MOT Check Now is the controller of the personal data described in this policy. You can contact us about privacy at the contact page, or through our contact page.
We are an independent service. We are not part of, or endorsed by, the DVLA, the DVSA or GOV.UK. See our disclaimer for details.
What data we collect
Registration numbers you enter
When you use a tool such as the MOT check, car tax check or vehicle check, you enter a vehicle registration number. We send it to the DVSA MOT history service and the DVLA Vehicle Enquiry Service to retrieve the vehicle record. The record describes a vehicle, such as make, colour, fuel type, MOT results and tax status. It does not identify the keeper, and no keeper or owner details are ever shown by us. We still treat registration numbers with care, because a registration can be linked to a person by someone who holds other information about them, and we may hold it alongside your email address or order.
Email address and name
If you buy a Full Vehicle Report or sign up for an MOT reminder, we collect your email address so we can deliver your report link or send your reminder. At checkout we may also collect your name and billing details, as required to process the order.
Payment and order information
Payments are processed by Stripe through our WooCommerce shop. Your card details are entered on Stripe’s systems and we do not store or see them. We keep the order record, which includes the order number, date, amount paid, the registration number the report was for, your email address and billing details you gave us.
Messages you send us
If you write to us or use the contact form, we keep your message, your email address and our reply so we can help you and keep a record of what was agreed.
Technical and log data
Like most websites, our servers record your IP address, browser and device type, the pages you request and the time of the request. We use this to keep the site secure, prevent abuse (for example automated bulk queries), diagnose faults and understand how the site is used.
Cookies and similar technologies
We use cookies to run the shop and basket and, only if you agree, to measure how the site is used. Our cookie policy lists the categories and explains how to change your choices.
Why we use your data and our lawful bases
| Purpose | Data used | Lawful basis |
|---|---|---|
| Running the free checkers and retrieving vehicle records | Registration number, IP address | Legitimate interests (providing the service you asked for) |
| Taking payment and delivering your paid report | Email, name, billing details, registration number, order details | Contract (fulfilling your order) |
| Keeping accounting and tax records | Order and payment records | Legal obligation |
| Sending MOT reminders you requested | Email address, registration number, MOT expiry date | Consent, which you can withdraw at any time |
| Responding to enquiries, refunds and complaints | Email, message content, order details | Contract or legitimate interests |
| Security, fraud prevention and abuse prevention | IP address, log data, order details | Legitimate interests |
| Measuring site usage with analytics cookies | Cookie identifiers, pages viewed | Consent |
Where we rely on legitimate interests, we have considered whether our interests are outweighed by your rights and concluded they are not. You can object to this use at any time (see your rights below).
Who we share data with
We do not sell your personal data. We share it only with the following kinds of recipient, and only as far as needed:
- DVSA and DVLA: the registration number you enter is sent to their APIs to retrieve the vehicle record. We do not send your name or email address to them.
- Stripe: processes card payments and carries out fraud checks. Stripe acts as an independent controller for some of this processing, and its own privacy notice applies.
- Hosting provider: stores our site, database and logs on our behalf.
- Email delivery provider: sends order emails, report links and MOT reminders on our behalf.
- Professional advisers and authorities: accountants, lawyers or public authorities, where we need advice or the law requires disclosure.
Our service providers act on our instructions and are bound by contracts that require them to protect your data.
International transfers
MOT Check Now or its service providers may process data outside the United Kingdom. Where personal data is transferred outside the UK, we make sure it is protected by appropriate safeguards, such as an adequacy decision for the destination country, the UK International Data Transfer Agreement or the UK Addendum to the EU Standard Contractual Clauses. You can contact us at the contact page to ask for more information about the safeguards we use.
How long we keep your data
- Order and payment records: at least six years, because we need them for accounting and tax purposes.
- MOT reminder emails: until you unsubscribe or ask us to delete your details. Every reminder email contains an unsubscribe link.
- Messages and support correspondence: as long as needed to deal with your enquiry and any follow-up.
- Server and security logs: only as long as needed for security and fault finding.
- Cookie data: as described in our cookie policy.
Where there is no fixed period, we keep data for as long as it is needed for the purpose it was collected, then delete or anonymise it.
Your rights
Under UK data protection law you have the right to:
- ask for a copy of the personal data we hold about you (access);
- ask us to correct data that is inaccurate or incomplete (rectification);
- ask us to delete your data (erasure), where we have no overriding reason to keep it, such as our legal duty to keep accounting records;
- ask us to restrict how we use your data in certain circumstances;
- receive data you gave us in a portable format (portability), where we process it by consent or contract;
- object to processing based on legitimate interests; and
- withdraw consent at any time, without affecting earlier processing.
To use any of these rights, email the contact page with the address or order number involved, so we can find your records. We may need to confirm your identity first. We do not charge a fee unless a request is clearly unfounded or excessive. We aim to respond within one month, as the law requires, and will tell you if we need longer.
If you are unhappy with how we have handled your data, please contact us first so we can try to put it right. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.
Keeper and owner details
MOT Check Now does not display the name, address or any other details of a vehicle’s keeper or owner. The official sources we use do not provide them to us. The records we show describe the vehicle: its make, model, fuel type, MOT history, tax status and similar facts. If you need keeper information for a legal reason, you must apply through the proper official channels.
Security
We use reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal data, including encrypted connections (HTTPS), access controls and card payments handled by a specialist payment processor. No system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. If a breach puts your rights at risk, we will tell you and the ICO where the law requires.
Children
Our service is not directed at anyone under 18, and we do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has given us personal data, contact the contact page and we will delete it.
Links to other websites
Our pages may link to official websites such as GOV.UK. Those sites have their own privacy policies, and we are not responsible for them.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy when our services or the law change. The current version is always on this page. If we make a significant change to how we use your data, we will take reasonable steps to tell you, for example by email if we hold your address.
Contact us
Questions about this policy or your data: the contact page, or write to MOT Check Now. You may also want to read our terms and refund policy.