Privacy Policy

1. Who We Are

The Garage Boston ("we", "us", "our") is an MOT testing centre and vehicle service garage based at Nelson Way, Boston, PE21 8TS.

We carry out MOT testing, servicing, diagnostics and repairs for cars and vans. This policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect your personal data when you visit this website, get in touch, or bring a vehicle to us.

We are the data controller for the personal data we collect about you — responsible for deciding how and why it's used, and for keeping it safe.

2. What Data We Collect

Data you give us directly: your name, phone number and email address when you enquire or book a vehicle in; details about your vehicle, including its make, model and registration number; and payment details when you pay for an MOT, service or repair.

As part of carrying out an MOT test, we're required to record and submit certain test information to the DVSA's national MOT testing database — this is a statutory requirement of running an MOT testing station, not something we can opt out of on your behalf.

Collected automatically via the website: your IP address and browser type, and anything submitted through the contact form, which is processed by Formspree.

We don't collect more than we need. If something isn't necessary to test, service or repair your vehicle, we don't ask for it or keep it.

3. How We Use Your Data

Your data is only used for specific, legitimate purposes: booking and carrying out MOT tests, servicing and repairs; recording and submitting MOT results to the DVSA as required by law; taking payment for work carried out; responding to enquiries; and keeping basic financial records for HMRC.

Your data is never sold or used for marketing without your clear consent. We don't run mailing lists or advertising, and we don't share your details with anyone for their own marketing purposes.

4. Lawful Basis for Processing

Under UK GDPR, we rely on: Contract (booking and carrying out the MOT, service or repair you've asked for); Legal obligation (submitting MOT results to the DVSA, and keeping financial records for HMRC); Legitimate interest (replying to an enquiry); and Consent (for anything else, which you can withdraw at any time).

5. Who We Share Your Data With

Personal data is shared only where necessary: with the DVSA (statutory MOT test result submission), Formspree (processes contact form submissions), a payment provider if you pay by card (we never store full card details ourselves), and HMRC or UK regulators where legally required.

Your data is never sold, rented or shared with marketing companies or data brokers. There are no other third parties involved in running the garage day-to-day.

6. How Long We Keep Your Data

Customer contact and vehicle details are kept for as long as needed to provide our services and deal with any follow-up work, and no longer than necessary. Financial and payment records are kept for six years, as required by HMRC. MOT test records are retained in line with DVSA requirements for MOT testing stations. Enquiries that don't lead to a booking are kept for 12 months. When data is no longer needed, it's securely deleted — you can ask for earlier deletion at any time (Section 10).

7. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR you have the right to: access a copy of the data we hold about you; have inaccurate data corrected; have data erased where it's no longer needed or you withdraw consent; restrict processing while you contest its accuracy; receive your data in a portable format; object to processing based on legitimate interest; withdraw consent at any time; and complain to the ICO if you believe your data has been mishandled (ico.org.uk, 0303 123 1113). There's never a charge to exercise any of these, and we'll always respond well within a month — see Section 10 to get in touch.

8. Cookies & Website Usage

This website uses only what's strictly necessary to function, plus the contact form. No advertising or tracking cookies are used, and nothing follows you across other websites. Full detail is in the Cookie Policy.

The contact form is provided by Formspree, a third-party service that processes submissions so they reach us by email — see their own privacy policy for how they handle data in transit.

9. How We Keep Your Data Secure

This website uses HTTPS encryption throughout. Customer and vehicle records are only accessible to staff who need them to carry out work at the garage. Payment details are handled directly by the relevant bank or payment provider; full card numbers are never seen or stored by us.

If a data breach ever occurred that put your rights at risk, we would notify the ICO within 72 hours and let you know as soon as reasonably possible.

10. Contact Us About Your Data

If you have any questions about this policy, want to exercise your rights, or have any concern about how your data is handled, get in touch: 01205 648385, 07777 31 44 45, or thegarageboston@gmail.com.

You also have the right to complain to the UK's regulator, the Information Commissioner's Office: ico.org.uk, 0303 123 1113, or by post to Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF. We'd always appreciate the chance to sort out any concern directly first.

11. Changes to This Policy

This policy may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in how the garage runs, or in the law. The "Last updated" date above will change when that happens. Continuing to use the website or our services after a change means you accept the updated policy.

The Garage Boston, Nelson Way, Boston, PE21 8TS.