MOTOR CARS AUCTIONS LIMITED

Privacy Policy

Last updated: 2 November 2026 · UK GDPR & Data Protection Act 2018

This Privacy Policy explains how MOTOR CARS AUCTIONS LIMITED (“we”, “us”, “our”) collects and uses personal data when you use the MOTOR CARS AUCTIONS website — including registration, identity checks, timed auctions, Buy Now purchases, messaging and related account services.

We are the data controller for personal data processed through this platform. Our registered / trading address is 7 Manor St, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2PT, United Kingdom. For day-to-day privacy requests, use our Contact page or email admin@127.0.0.1.

1. Scope

This policy covers visitors, registered bidders and buyers, trade accounts, and anyone who submits identity documents or contacts us about a lot, order or account. It applies alongside our Terms and Conditions and Cookie Policy.

2. Personal data we collect

Depending on how you use MOTOR CARS AUCTIONS, we may process:

Account & contact data — name, email, phone, country, buyer type (private/trade), company name where provided, date of birth.
Address data — residential / billing address used for invoices, contracts and post-sale paperwork.
Identity & AML verification data — photo ID and proof of address documents you upload so we can verify bidders before Place bid / Buy Now unlocks.
Auction & purchase data — bids, watchlists, Buy Now requests, order history, contracts, invoices and payment references (for example bank-transfer references).
Support data — messages sent via the contact form or live chat, and related correspondence.
Technical & security data — IP address, device/browser type, login timestamps, and security logs needed to protect accounts and prevent abuse.

We do not ask for card numbers on this platform for auction settlement: payment is handled by bank transfer / Open Banking instructions after contract and invoice, as described in the Terms.

3. Why we use your data (purposes)

To create and administer your account and bidder profile.
To verify identity to UK AML / anti-fraud standards before bidding or buying unlocked lots.
To run timed auctions and Buy Now sales, record binding bids/purchases, and manage reservations.
To issue contracts, invoices and payment instructions, and to complete vehicle handover paperwork.
To communicate about your account, lots, orders, document approval and support requests.
To keep the platform secure, prevent fraud, enforce our Terms and meet legal obligations.
To improve site reliability and understand aggregate usage (where analytics are used — see Cookie Policy).

4. Lawful bases under UK GDPR

We rely on one or more of the following lawful bases:

Contract — processing needed to register you, run auctions/Buy Now, and perform a sale you enter into with us.
Legal obligation — identity checks, record-keeping, tax/accounting and anti-money laundering requirements where they apply.
Legitimate interests — securing the platform, preventing bid fraud, improving service quality, and responding to enquiries, balanced against your rights.
Consent — where we place non-essential cookies or send optional marketing (you may withdraw consent at any time).

5. UK GDPR — your rights explained

Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, you have rights in relation to your personal data. In plain terms:

Right of access — you can ask for a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
Right to rectification — you can ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete data (for example an old address or phone number).
Right to erasure — you can ask us to delete data in some cases. We may need to retain certain records (identity checks, bids, invoices) where the law or a contract requires it.
Right to restrict processing — you can ask us to limit how we use data while a complaint or accuracy issue is resolved.
Right to data portability — for data you provided and that we process by automated means on the basis of contract or consent, you can ask for a machine-readable copy.
Right to object — you can object to processing based on legitimate interests, including profiling for those purposes, and we will stop unless we have compelling grounds.
Rights related to automated decision-making — we do not make solely automated decisions that produce legal or similarly significant effects about you without human involvement in bidder approval.
Right to withdraw consent — where we rely on consent (for example optional cookies), you can withdraw it without affecting earlier lawful processing.
Right to complain — you may lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.

To exercise these rights, contact us via /contact or admin@127.0.0.1. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling a request. We aim to respond within one month, or as required by UK law.

6. Identity documents and sensitive context

Photo ID and proof of address are collected so we can verify who is bidding on recovered and remarketed vehicles. Documents are used for verification and fraud prevention, stored securely, and accessed by authorised staff only. Please upload clear copies and do not send unnecessary additional personal data beyond what is requested.

7. Who we share data with

We may share personal data with:

Service providers who host the site, send email, or provide IT/security support under contract.
Payment / banking partners only as needed to reconcile transfers against invoices (we do not store full card details for auction settlement on this site).
Professional advisers, auditors or insurers where reasonably required.
Law enforcement, regulators or courts where we are legally required or entitled to disclose information.

We do not sell your personal data to third-party marketers.

8. International transfers

Our primary operations are in the United Kingdom. If a supplier processes data outside the UK, we will ensure appropriate safeguards are in place (such as UK adequacy regulations or standard contractual clauses) as required by UK data protection law.

9. Retention

We keep account and transaction records for as long as needed to run the platform, meet accounting and legal duties, and resolve disputes. Identity documents are retained for verification and compliance purposes and deleted or anonymised when no longer required. Support messages are kept for a reasonable period to handle follow-ups and improve service.

10. Security

We use technical and organisational measures appropriate to an online auction platform — including access controls, encrypted connections (HTTPS where configured), session security and staff access limited to what is needed for their role. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure; please keep your password confidential and log out on shared devices.

11. Children

MOTOR CARS AUCTIONS is intended for adults. You must be 18 or over to register and bid. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children.

12. Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies as described in our Cookie Policy. Essential cookies are required for login and security; any non-essential cookies are handled according to that policy.

13. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date at the top will change when we do. Continued use of the site after an update means you should review the revised policy.

14. Contacting us about privacy

For privacy questions or UK GDPR requests, use the Contact form or email admin@127.0.0.1. Please mark the subject clearly (for example “Privacy request — access” or “Privacy request — deletion”).

This policy is designed for MOTOR CARS AUCTIONS as a UK online recovered-vehicle auction and Buy Now catalogue. It does not replace independent legal advice for your particular situation.