Garage Matters publishes free-to-access content for the benefit of independent garage owners, vehicle technicians and apprentices in the UK and Ireland.
We’re funded by advertisers that share the same passion of our readers; to get out, explore and leave nothing behind but footprints. Alongside our own original journalistic content, we may work with advertisers to promote the benefits of their products and services to our readers but we promise that all sponsored content will be relevant and clearly marked.
We use cookies on the Garage Matters website and Garage Matters App to improve your experience and ensure you get the most relevant content. If you’re after a riveting read, we’ve outlined everything you need to know about how we use your data below.
Effective Date: May 2025
Garage Matters is committed to protecting your personal data and being transparent about how we use it. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, why, and how you can manage it.
1. Data We Collect
We may collect personal information you provide voluntarily, including:
- Name and contact details (via contact forms, newsletter sign-ups, or media pack requests)
- Email address (for newsletters or correspondence)
- IP address and browsing data (via website analytics and cookies)
2. How We Use Your Data
Your information is used for purposes such as:
- Responding to inquiries and requests
- Sending newsletters or updates if you have opted in
- Improving our website, app and content
- Advertising and analytics (with anonymised data)
3. Legal Basis
We process your data based on:
- Your consent (e.g., newsletter sign-ups)
- Legitimate interests (e.g., website and app analytics, service improvement)
4. Data Sharing
We do not sell your personal data. We may share limited information with trusted service providers (e.g., email platforms, analytics providers) who help us operate the site, subject to strict confidentiality.
5. Your Rights
Under GDPR, you have the right to:
- Access your data
- Correct inaccurate information
- Request deletion of your data
- Withdraw consent at any time
- Restrict or object to processing
To exercise these rights, please contact info@garagematters.co.uk.
6. Data Retention
We retain personal data only as long as necessary to provide services, comply with legal obligations, or fulfill legitimate interests.
7. Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your data against unauthorized access, loss, or misuse.
8. Comments
When visitors leave comments on the site we collect the data shown in the comments form, and also the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help spam detection.
An anonymised string created from your email address (also called a hash) may be provided to the Gravatar service to see if you are using it. The Gravatar service privacy policy is available here: https://automattic.com/privacy/. After approval of your comment, your profile picture is visible to the public in the context of your comment.
9. Media
If you upload images to the website or app, you should avoid uploading images with embedded location data (EXIF GPS) included. Visitors to the website and app can download and extract any location data from images on the website or app.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available on our website and app.
Cookie Policy
Garage Matters uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience and analyze site usage.
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small files stored on your device that help us remember preferences, improve functionality, and analyze traffic.
If you leave a comment on Garage Matters you may opt-in to saving your name, email address and website in cookies. These are for your convenience so that you do not have to fill in your details again when you leave another comment. These cookies will last for one year.
If you visit our login page, we will set a temporary cookie to determine if your browser accepts cookies. This cookie contains no personal data and is discarded when you close your browser.
When you log in, we will also set up several cookies to save your login information and your screen display choices. Login cookies last for two days, and screen options cookies last for a year. If you select “Remember Me”, your login will persist for two weeks. If you log out of your account, the login cookies will be removed.
If you edit or publish an article, an additional cookie will be saved in your browser. This cookie includes no personal data and simply indicates the post ID of the article you just edited. It expires after 1 day.
2. Types of Cookies We Use
- Essential Cookies: Required for website and app functionality (cannot be disabled).
- Analytics Cookies: Track user behavior to help us improve content and site performance.
- Marketing Cookies: Used to measure the effectiveness of advertising and campaigns.
3. Consent
By using our website and app, you consent to the use of cookies as described here. You can manage or withdraw consent at any time through your browser settings.
4. Third-Party Cookies
Some cookies may be set by third-party services (e.g., Google Analytics, social media integrations). We do not control these cookies but provide links to their privacy policies.
5. Managing Cookies
Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies. Instructions can usually be found under your browser’s “Settings” or “Preferences.”
6. Embedded content from other websites
Articles on this site may include embedded content (e.g. videos, images, articles, etc.). Embedded content from other websites behaves in the exact same way as if the visitor has visited the other website.
These websites may collect data about you, use cookies, embed additional third-party tracking, and monitor your interaction with that embedded content, including tracking your interaction with the embedded content if you have an account and are logged in to that website.
7. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy periodically. The latest version will be published on our website and app.
