Who We Are
Book A Mechanic we operate the website at bookamechanic.co.za.
We are an online automotive lead generation platform that connects vehicle owners with independent mechanics and vehicle repair specialists across South Africa. We do not perform vehicle repairs ourselves. Our role is to help customers obtain quotes and connect with suitable repair businesses.
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your personal information is handled, please contact us:
Email: service@bookamechanic.co.za
Phone: 074 989 2494
What Personal Data We Collect and Why We Collect It
We collect personal information only where it is necessary to provide our services or improve our website.
The information we may collect includes:
- Name
- Telephone number
- Email address
- Vehicle make and model
- Vehicle problem or repair requirements
- City or suburb
- Preferred contact method
- IP address
- Browser type and device information
- Website usage information
- Cookies and similar technologies
We collect this information to:
- Connect you with suitable automotive repair businesses.
- Respond to your enquiries.
- Provide quotations through our repair partners.
- Improve our website and customer experience.
- Detect fraud and website abuse.
- Meet legal and regulatory obligations.
Where required by law, we rely on your consent before collecting or processing your personal information.
Comments
If visitors leave comments on our website, we collect the information shown in the comment form together with the visitor’s IP address and browser information to help detect spam.
An anonymised string (hash) created from your email address may be provided to Gravatar to determine whether you use that service. The Gravatar Privacy Policy can be viewed at:
Once your comment is approved, your profile picture may be visible publicly alongside your comment.
Media
If registered users upload images to the website, they should avoid uploading images containing embedded location data (EXIF GPS), as visitors may be able to download and extract this information.
Contact Forms
When you complete one of our enquiry forms, we may collect:
- Name
- Phone number
- Email address
- Vehicle information
- Service required
- Location
- Any additional information you choose to provide
This information is used solely to:
- Respond to your enquiry.
- Match you with suitable repair businesses.
- Contact you regarding your request.
We generally retain enquiry submissions for up to 24 months unless a longer retention period is required by law.
We do not sell personal information collected through our contact forms.
WhatsApp Enquiries
If you contact us through WhatsApp, the information you provide will be processed for the purpose of assisting with your enquiry and connecting you with appropriate service providers.
WhatsApp communications are subject to WhatsApp’s own Privacy Policy.
Cookies
Our website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience.
Cookies may be used to:
- Remember user preferences.
- Improve website performance.
- Measure website traffic.
- Maintain security.
- Analyse visitor behaviour.
You can disable cookies through your browser settings, although some website features may not function correctly.
Analytics
We may use website analytics services such as Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our website.
Analytics information may include:
- Pages viewed
- Time spent on pages
- Device type
- Browser
- Approximate location
- Referral source
Analytics information is generally collected in aggregated or anonymised form.
You may opt out of certain analytics tracking through your browser settings or by using Google’s browser add-on where applicable.
Who We Share Your Data With
We only share your information where necessary to provide our services.
This may include:
- Independent mechanics and repair workshops who provide quotations.
- Website hosting providers.
- Email service providers.
- Customer support providers.
- Analytics providers.
- Security and spam detection services.
- Legal or regulatory authorities where required by law.
We do not sell your personal information to third parties.
How Long We Retain Your Data
We retain information only for as long as necessary.
Typical retention periods include:
- Contact form enquiries – up to 24 months
- Customer communications – up to 24 months
- Website security logs – up to 12 months
- Analytics information – up to 26 months (where applicable)
Information may be retained longer where required by law or to resolve disputes.
What Rights You Have Over Your Data
Subject to applicable law, including the South African Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), you may have the right to:
- Request access to your personal information.
- Correct inaccurate information.
- Request deletion of your information.
- Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
- Object to certain processing activities.
- Request restriction of processing.
- Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (South Africa).
Requests can be submitted using the contact details below.
Where Your Data Is Sent
Our website may use service providers located inside or outside South Africa.
Your information may therefore be processed or stored on servers located in other countries.
Where international transfers occur, we take reasonable steps to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place and that your information remains protected in accordance with applicable privacy laws.
Contact Information
For privacy-related enquiries, please contact:
Privacy Officer
Book A Mechanic
Email: service@bookamechanic.co.za
Phone: 074 989 2494
How We Protect Your Data
We use reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information, including:
- SSL encryption
- Secure website hosting
- Firewall protection
- Malware monitoring
- Limited access to customer information
- Password-protected systems
- Regular software updates
- Access controls for authorised personnel
While we take reasonable precautions, no internet transmission or storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
What Data Breach Procedures We Have in Place
If we become aware of a data breach that may affect your personal information, we will:
- Investigate the incident.
- Contain the breach.
- Notify affected users where required by law.
- Notify relevant regulatory authorities where applicable.
- Take reasonable steps to reduce future risks.
What Third Parties We Receive Data From
We may receive information from:
- Independent repair businesses.
- Referral partners.
- Marketing platforms.
- Analytics providers.
This information is used only to improve our services or assist in responding to customer enquiries.
Automated Decision Making and Profiling
Our website does not make legally significant automated decisions about users.
We may use automated systems to help match customer enquiries with repair businesses based on location, vehicle type, and service requested. These recommendations are intended only to improve response times and do not constitute legally binding decisions.
Industry Regulatory Disclosure Requirements
As an automotive lead generation platform, we are not a motor repair workshop and do not carry out vehicle repairs.
We connect customers with independent repair businesses.
Repair businesses operate independently and are responsible for:
- Their quotations
- Their workmanship
- Their pricing
- Their warranties
- Compliance with applicable laws and industry regulations
Customers should satisfy themselves that any repair business they choose is suitable for their requirements.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services, legal obligations, or website functionality.
The latest version will always be available on this page, together with the effective date shown at the top.