Privacy Policy

How we protect your privacy and handle your data when you use SmartCarCheck.

Last updated: January 15, 2026

Our Commitment to Privacy

At SmartCarCheck, your privacy is our priority. We are committed to protecting your personal information and being transparent about how we collect, use, and safeguard your data. This privacy policy explains our practices in simple, clear language.

We comply with UK data protection laws including the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018. We only collect the minimum information necessary to provide our free vehicle check service.

Information We Collect

Vehicle Registration Numbers

When you search for a vehicle, we temporarily process the registration number you provide. This is used solely to retrieve official vehicle data from DVLA and DVSA systems. We do not store registration numbers in our own databases.

Technical Information

We automatically collect standard web analytics data to improve our service:

  • IP address (anonymized)
  • Browser type and version
  • Pages visited and time spent
  • Device type (mobile, tablet, desktop)
  • Referral source

Payment Information (Premium Reports)

For premium AI reports (£3.99), we process payments through secure third-party providers (Stripe). We do not store credit card details. Payment information is handled entirely by our payment processor and is subject to their privacy policies.

How We Use Your Information

Primary Purpose

  • Provide free vehicle check service
  • Retrieve official DVLA/DVSA data
  • Generate AI-powered insights

Service Improvement

  • Website analytics and performance
  • Technical troubleshooting
  • Security monitoring

We Do Not Share Your Data

Zero Data Sharing Policy

We never sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes. Your data stays private and secure.

No Advertisers
We don't share data with advertising companies
No Affiliates
We don't share data with partner companies
No Marketing
We don't use your data for marketing emails

Data Security & Retention

How We Protect Your Data

  • SSL/TLS encryption for all data transmission
  • Secure cloud infrastructure with regular security audits
  • No storage of vehicle registration numbers
  • Regular security monitoring and updates

Data Retention

We minimize data retention to protect your privacy:

Vehicle Searches
Not stored - processed in real-time only
Analytics Data
Anonymized and retained for 24 months

Your Rights Under UK Data Protection Law

You Have the Right To:

Access Your Data
Request a copy of any personal data we hold about you
Data Portability
Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
Rectification
Correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal data
Erasure
Request deletion of your personal data in certain circumstances

Cookies & Tracking

We use essential cookies only to provide our service and improve your experience. We do not use tracking cookies or share data with advertising networks.

Essential Cookies
Required for website functionality
Always Active
Analytics Cookies
Help us improve our service
Optional

Questions About Your Privacy?

If you have any questions about this privacy policy or how we handle your data, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Learn More About UsStart Free Vehicle Check

This privacy policy was last updated on January 15, 2026. We may update this policy occasionally to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements.