PRIVACY POLICY

1. Who we are

This Privacy Policy covers the website www.vertex-automotive.co.uk and the two businesses that trade under the Vertex Automotive brand in Bedford:

• Vertex Automotive (MOT, servicing and repair centre) – 18J London Rd, Bedford, MK42 0NS. Tel 01234 413460. Email info@vertex-automotive.co.uk.
• Vertex Automotive Tyres & Wheel Care (tyre and wheel centre, a separate location) – 6A Church St, Bedford, United Kingdom, MK40 1HZ. Tel / WhatsApp 07729 652972.

Both businesses are operated by ZRS MOT Centre Ltd, trading as Vertex Automotive, a private limited company registered in England and Wales with company number 16445951, registered office 18J London Road, Bedford, England, MK42 0NS (“we”, “us”, “our”). We are the data controller for the personal information described in this policy.

2. Information we collect

Information you give us

• Contact and enquiry forms, call-back requests and quote requests: name, email address, phone number, vehicle registration, make and model, the service you need and your message.
• Offers and mailing list sign-ups: first name, email address, mobile number, and optionally postcode, vehicle details, fuel type, MOT due date and the services you are interested in.
• Phone calls, WhatsApp messages, emails and visits to either location: the information you share with us about you and your vehicle.
• Work we carry out: vehicle details, mileage, inspection and MOT results, work carried out, invoices and payment records.

Information collected automatically

When you use our website we collect technical information such as your IP address, device and browser type, pages visited, how you arrived on the site (for example from a Google search or advert) and actions such as clicking a phone number or submitting a form. This is collected using cookies and similar technologies – see section 8.

3. How we use your information

• To respond to enquiries, give quotes, book and carry out work on your vehicle (lawful basis: steps taken at your request before a contract, and performance of our contract with you).
• To keep vehicle and service records, invoices and accounts, and to meet legal and tax obligations (lawful basis: legal obligation).
• To send MOT and service reminders and follow up on work we have done (lawful basis: legitimate interests in looking after our customers – you can opt out at any time).
• To send marketing emails or texts with offers and promotions, only where you have opted in (lawful basis: consent).
• To understand how our website and advertising perform and improve them (lawful basis: consent for non-essential cookies; legitimate interests for basic site security and operation).

4. Who we share your information with

We do not sell your personal information. We share it only with service providers who help us run our businesses, including:

• Jotform – hosts our website forms and stores form submissions.
• Webflow – hosts our website.
• Google (Analytics, Ads, Maps and Business Profile) – website analytics, advertising measurement and maps.
• Meta (Facebook and Instagram) – advertising measurement where you have accepted marketing cookies.
• Our email, phone and WhatsApp providers, and our accountants and IT support.

We may also share information where required by law, for example with the DVSA in connection with MOT testing, or with the police or other authorities when legally required. Information is only shared between Vertex Automotive and Vertex Automotive Tyres & Wheel Care where needed to deal with your enquiry or the work on your vehicle.

5. International transfers

Some of our service providers store or process data outside the UK (for example in the EU or the United States). Where this happens we rely on UK adequacy regulations or appropriate safeguards such as the UK International Data Transfer Agreement or the UK Addendum to the EU Standard Contractual Clauses.

6. How long we keep your information

• Enquiries that do not lead to work: up to 2 years.
• Customer, vehicle, invoice and accounting records: 6 years from the end of the financial year they relate to, as required for tax purposes.
• Marketing lists: until you unsubscribe or withdraw consent, after which we keep only what we need to make sure you are not contacted again.
• Website analytics data: in line with the retention settings of the analytics provider (currently up to 14 months).

7. Your rights

Under UK data protection law you have the right to:

• access the personal information we hold about you;
• ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete information;
• ask us to delete your information;
• ask us to restrict how we use your information;
• object to our use of your information, including for direct marketing (we will always stop direct marketing on request);
• receive your information in a portable format;
• withdraw consent at any time where we rely on consent.

To make a request, email info@vertex-automotive.co.uk, call 01234 413460 or write to us at 18J London Rd, Bedford, MK42 0NS. We may need to verify your identity, and we will respond within one month. Every marketing email also contains an unsubscribe link.

8. Cookies

Cookies are small files stored on your device. We use essential cookies needed for the website to work and, only if you click Accept on our cookie banner, analytics and advertising cookies from Google and Meta that help us measure visits, calls, form submissions and advert performance. You can change your choice at any time using the ‘Cookie settings’ link in our website footer. Full details are in our Cookie Policy at www.vertex-automotive.co.uk/cookie-policy.

9. Children

Our website and services are intended for adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16 for marketing.

10. Third-party websites

Our website links to other sites, such as Google Maps, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. We are not responsible for their privacy practices, so please read their policies.

11. Complaints

If you are unhappy with how we have handled your information, please contact us first. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint or on 0303 123 1113.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The latest version will always be published on this page with the date it was last updated.