Privacy Statement
At Howards Motor Group we take your privacy very seriously and we are committed to protecting and respecting any personal information you share with us.
This statement describes what types of information we collect from you, how it is used, how we share it with others, how you can manage the information we hold and how you can contact us.
What information we collect?
We collect the following personal information about you when you register with us, express an interest in or purchase products or services from us.
We also collect personal information when you contact us, send us feedback, post material to our website, complete customer surveys or participate in competitions.
The information we collect may include:
- Basic personal details such as your name, address, e-mail address, telephone number, date of birth or age, gender, marital status;
- Driving licence details;
- Additional information regarding your vehicle including the registration, VIN number, service history, any works undertaken, insurance policy details, MOT and Tax status of the vehicle;
- Sensitive personal information may be collected where a vehicle is purchased under the Motability scheme. This may include details of any medical conditions. We will always be clear to explain when and why we need this information and the purposes for which we will use it and will obtain your explicit consent to use sensitive personal information;
- Your IP address, the internet browser and device you are using, cookie or pixel information (please see our Cookie Policy for more details);
- Where you engage with us to conduct a sales transaction, we additionally may collect bank account details, debit/credit card details and any information required by our finance partners to complete a finance application. For example time at present address and/or employer details;
- Voice recordings of calls into our business or calls we make to you may be recorded for quality and training purposes;
- If you visit one of our premises you may be recorded on CCTV.
How will we use the information about you?
We collect information about you so that we can:
- Identify you and manage any accounts you hold with us;
- Process your order;
- Maintain a service record for your vehicle, conduct research, statistical analysis and behavioural analysis;
- Carry out customer profiling and analyse your purchasing preferences;
- Let you know about other products, services or events that may be of interest to you
- Detect and prevent fraud;
- Send MOT and Service reminders;
- Verify your identity and carry out anti-fraud checks (see 'Credit checking' section below);
- Provide you with payment options;
- Assess your application for a product, service or quote;
- Ensure that you can afford any financial agreement offered;
- Ensure that any insurance products are suitable for you;
- Administer your any finance agreements including updating you on and delivering our services;
- Request feedback via surveys;
- Monitor your use of our Websites and any response to advertising campaigns;
- Develop promotional material and media for advertising and promotional purposes.
Credit checking
We may perform a credit check on you:
- so that we and other companies in our group can make credit decisions about you and members of your household, and
- to prevent and detect fraud and money laundering
Our search will be recorded on the files of the credit reference agency.
We may also disclose information about how you conduct your account to credit reference agencies and your information may be linked to records relating to other people living at the same address with whom you are financially linked.
Other credit businesses may use your information to:
- make credit decisions about you and the people with whom you are financially associated;
- trace debtors, and
- prevent and detect fraud and money laundering.
If you provide false or inaccurate information to us and we suspect fraud, we will record this.
Lawful Basis For Processing
We will only process your personal information where we have a supporting lawful basis to do so. This may include:
Consent
Where you have provided your consent, we may use and process your information to:
Read More
Contractual Performance
We may use and process your personal information where this is necessary to perform a contract with you and to fulfil and complete your orders, purchases and other transactions entered into with us (or one of our authorised retailers or selected partners).
Legitimate Interests
We may use and process your personal information as set out below where it is necessary for us to carry out activities for which it is in our legitimate interests as a business to do so. Examples of processing supporting by our legitimate interests include, but are not limited to:
- Processing necessary for us to support customers with sales and other enquiries
- To respond to correspondence you send to us and fulfil the requests you make to us (for example: test drives, service requests, brochure requests or information about specific vehicles)
- To provide vehicle support and services (for example warranty services)
- Processing necessary for us to understand customer requirements
- To analyse, evaluate and improve our products and services so that your visit and use of our website, applications and retailers are more useful and enjoyable (we will generally use data amalgamated from many people so that it doesn’t identify you personally)
- To undertake market analysis and research (including contacting you with customer surveys) so that we can better understand you as a customer and provide tailored offers, products and services that we think you will be interested in.
- We collect and analyse this information in this way so that we can deliver the most appropriate customer experience to you by tailoring and making relevant all our service and communications (for example, when your mileage suggests your vehicle is due for a service).
- Processing necessary for us to promote our business, brands and products
- To send/contact you with marketing information after you have purchased a product or service from us or made a purchasing enquiry, We will only contact you with information about our own products and services (and in ways the law allows). You have the right to object to us sending you this information at any time.
- To send MOT and/or Service reminders and contact you to arrange an appointment.
- To contact you from time to time with marketing information (unless you object) if you have expressly indicated to us that you are acting on behalf of a business or where we have obtained your business contact details from our authorised retailer network or an online or public business directory. In relation to any such information we send by email or SMS, we will include an option allowing you to object to receiving future messages by unsubscribing.
- To contact you with targeted advertising delivered online through social media and other platforms operated by other companies, unless you object. You may receive advertising based on information about you that we have provided to the platform or because, at our request, the platform has identified you as having similar attributes to the individuals whose details it has received from us. To find out more, please refer to the information provided in the help pages of the platforms on which you receive advertising from us.
- To identify and record when you have received, opened or engaged with our website or electronic communications (please see our Cookie Policy for more information). To administer competitions and promotions that you enter with us from time to time and to distribute prizes.
- To send you invitations (unless you object) to provide a review regarding your customer experience when you have purchased a car from us or visited one of our service departments.
Legal Obligation
We may process your personal information to comply with our legal requirements (for example to register your car with the DVLA).
Vital Interest
In the event of an urgent safety or product recall notice, we will need to process your personal information to contact you to tell you about it.
How long do we keep your information for?
We will not hold your personal information in an identifiable format for any longer than is necessary. If you are a customer or otherwise have a relationship with us we will hold personal information about you for a longer period than if we have obtained your details in connection with a prospective relationship.
If we have a trading relationship with you (e.g. you are a customer or the registered driver of a leased or other vehicle purchased from us), we hold your personal information for 6 years from the date our relationship ends. We hold your personal information for this period to establish, bring or defend legal claims. Our relationship may end for a number of reasons including where the vehicle warranty or lease expires, or we have been made aware that you no longer own or drive that vehicle.
We will keep your personal information for as long as we need it to provide the services and products you request from us. We may also keep it to comply with our legal obligations, to resolve complaints and to enforce our rights. As a result, the length of time that we keep your information for will vary depending on the purposes for which we have it. In any event, we will review what information we need on an ongoing basis and will only retain it for the minimum amount of time that we need it for.
The only exceptions to the periods mentioned above are where:
- the law requires us to hold your personal information for a longer period, or delete it sooner;
- Where you have raised a complaint or concern regarding a product or service offered by us, in which case we will retain your information for a period of 6 years following the date of that complaint or query; or
- you exercise your right to have the information erased (where it applies) and we do not need to hold it in connection with any of the reasons permitted or required under the law (see further How can I manage the information we hold about you)
How do we share this information?
We do not sell your information to third parties, but we do work closely with our manufacturer partners and with third party suppliers who fulfil business activities for us (like warranty products, marketing, events and market research etc).
You can find out how they will process your personal data by referring to their respective privacy policies at the bottom of this privacy statement.
Who your information might be shared with
We may disclose your personal data to:
- other retailers within our group
- our agents and service providers;
- Trustpilot. You can find their Privacy Policy here;
- credit reference agents—see 'Credit checking' below;
- law enforcement agencies in connection with any investigation to help prevent unlawful activity;
- our business partners
- our Manufacturers
- government agencies (for the purpose of checking driving licence details for loan and demonstration vehicle purposes)
Keeping your data secure
We will use technical and organisational measures to safeguard your personal data, for example:
- we store your personal data on secure servers; and while we will use all reasonable efforts to safeguard your personal data, you acknowledge that the use of the internet is not entirely secure and for this reason we cannot guarantee the security or integrity of any personal data that are transferred from you or to you via the internet. If you have any particular concerns about your information, please contact us (see 'How to contact us?').
What can I do to keep my information safe?
If you want detailed information from Get Safe Online on how to protect your information and your computers and devices against fraud, identity theft, viruses and many other online problems, please visit www.getsafeonline.org. Get Safe Online is supported by HM Government and leading businesses.
What rights do you have?
You have a number of rights in relation to your personal information under data protection law. In relation to most rights, we will ask you for information to confirm your identity and, where applicable, to help us search for your personal information. Except in rare cases, we will respond to you within 30 days after we have received any request (including any identification documents requested). Data subject rights including:
Right of Access
You can request a copy of your information which we hold (this is known as a subject access request). If you would like a copy of some or it, please:
- email, call or write to us (see 'How to contact us?');
- let us have proof of your identity and address (a copy of your driving licence or passport and a recent utility or credit card bill), and
- let us know the information you want a copy of, including any account or reference numbers, if you have them
Right to Rectification
You can require us to correct any mistakes in your information which we hold free of charge. If you would like to do this, please:
- email, call or write to us or use the notification section on our website (see 'How to contact us?');
- let us have enough information to identify you (e.g. name, registration details), and
- let us know the information that is incorrect and what it should be replaced with.
Right to Withdraw Consent
This is only applicable where we rely on consent as the lawful basis for processing your personal information. Please see the section above called 'How we use your personal information?'
Right to Object
This is only applicable where we rely on our legitimate interests as the lawful basis for processing your personal information. This right will apply provided we do not have any continuing lawful reason to continue to use and process the information. When we do rely on our legitimate interests to use your personal information for direct marketing, we will always comply with your right to object;
Right to Erasure
This right will apply provided we do not have any continuing lawful reason to continue to use and process that information.
Right to Restrict Processing
This right will apply provided we do not have any continuing lawful reason to continue to use and process that information.
Right to Data Portability
Transfer your information in a structured data file (in a commonly used and machine readable format), where we rely on your consent to use and process your personal information or need to process it in connection with your contract
Right to ask us to stop contacting you with direct marketing
You can ask us to stop contacting you for direct marketing purposes. If you would like to do this, please:
- email, call or write to us (see ‘How to contact us?’). You can also click on the 'unsubscribe' button at the bottom of any emails. It may take up to 5 days for this to take place
- let us know what method of contact you are not happy with if you are unhappy with certain ways of contacting you only (for example, you may be happy for us to contact you by email but not by telephone).
Please note, we will never send you junk mail and will always give you the opportunity not to receive marketing communications from us.
Right to lodge a complaint with the local supervisory authority
A complaint can be lodged with the supervisory authority for data protection in the United Kingdom which is the Information Commissioners Office (ICO). Further advice and guidance can be found on their website at www.ico.org.uk or by contacting their helpline on 0303 123 1113.
You can exercise the above rights and/or manage your information by contacting us at [email protected] by using our website www.howardsgroup.co.uk/marketing-updates, phoning us on 01935 678140 or by writing to us at the address in the 'How to contact us' section.
Changes to the Privacy Statement
We may change this privacy statement from time to time. You should check this policy occasionally to ensure you are aware of the most recent version that will apply each time you access this website.
Do you need extra help?
If you would like this statement in another format (for example: audio, large print, braille) please contact us (see 'How to contact us?').
How to contact us
If you need any further information regarding this Privacy Statement or data protection please email [email protected],
alternatively you can write to us at:
Customer Care Department
Howards Motor Group Head Office
Searle Crescent
Weston super Mare
BS23 3YX
For Marketing updates please email [email protected] or login onto our website to request an amendment on www.howardsgroup.co.uk/marketing-updates.
Franchise Partners
Honda - www.honda.co.uk/privacy
Nissan - www.nissan.co.uk/legal/privacy.html
Peugeot - www.peugeot.co.uk/privacy-policy
Citroen - www.citroen.co.uk/privacy
DS - www.dsautomobiles.co.uk/privacy
Vauxhall - www.vauxhall.co.uk/tools/privacy-policy.html
Toyota - www.toyota.co.uk/footer/privacy-policy
Hyundai - www.hyundai.co.uk/legal/privacy
Kia - www.kia.com/uk/Privacy
Suzuki - https://cars.suzuki.co.uk/privacy/
END OF PRIVACY STATEMENT
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Cookie Policy
When you access our website Howards Motor Group (our “Site”), we will use cookies and other similar technologies that might store or access information on your device.
If you have any questions about this cookie policy, you contact us at [email protected]
You should read this policy carefully before using this website to make sure you understand how we use cookies and how you can manage your preferences.
1. What is a "Cookie"?
A "cookie" is a text file that is stored on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet, etc.) by your browser when you visit this Site.
Some cookies are important for the functionality of the Site and are automatically set by us when users visit it. Other cookies enable us to offer users the services and functions that best meet their needs and to adapt our service for you so that the website can be used quickly and easily.
2. How will you be informed?
Except for Essential Cookies, you have the right to decide whether to accept or decline Cookies. We will not set Performance or Tracking Cookies unless you enable them. Regardless of your location, you can amend your Cookie Permissions at any time, even if you initially accepted or declined all or certain cookies.
You can also set or amend your web browser controls to accept or refuse Cookies. To find out more visits www.aboutcookies.org or www.allaboutcookies.org
The individual cookies we use on our Site are described below.
3. Cookies we use on our site
We use the following types of cookies on this Site:
- Essential Cookies: These are cookies that are required for the operation of our Site. They include, for example, cookies that enable you to log into secure areas of our website.
- Functionality Cookies: These are used to recognise you when you return to our Site. This enables us to personalise our content for you, greet you by name, and remember your preferences (for example, your choice of language or region).
- Analytical Cookies: These allow us to see how our Site is working, if there are any problems loading certain pages, recognise and count the number of visitors, and to see how visitors move around our Site when they are using it. This helps us to improve the way our Site works, for example, by ensuring that users are finding what they are looking for easily.
- Marketing Cookies:These cookies track users' actions and are used to identify users between different websites. Marketing cookies collect user information and use it to build a profile of users' interests and then show personalized ads for that specific user.
4. Details of Cookies used on site