1. Purpose

a. The purpose of this policy is to outline how we use your data, how it is protected, how long it is stored for and more.
b. As a vehicle finance broker, the main purpose of obtaining your information is to try to obtain you an acceptance with one of our lenders.
c. If at any time you have any questions regarding how we use your information or this policy, please contact us:

• Telephone: 0161 524 0582

• Email: customercare@happymotorfinance.co.uk

• Address:
  Happy Motor Finance
  Pennington House
  16 Carolina Way
  Salford Quays
  Salford
  M50 2ZY

• FAO: Matthew Royle – Director

d. We are registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
Registration number: ZB408604

2. Why Do We Collect and Use Your Personal Data?

a. We collect and use your personal information to provide vehicle finance via our application form and potential third parties you have applied to.
b. We act as a data controller.
c. The lawful basis for processing your data is consent. We will not process your information without your explicit consent.
d. Consent is gained when you agree to our terms of business and privacy policy when submitting an application.
e. If you do not consent to us using your information, please do not submit an application.
f. You may withdraw consent at any time using the contact details above.
g. We will not use your data for other purposes without informing you and gaining consent.

Contract Lawful Basis

Whilst you do not enter into a contract with us, if you proceed with a finance acceptance, you will form a contract with a lender.
The lender may process your data under this lawful basis.

Information We May Collect

• Name

• Date of Birth

• Residential information

• Employment and income information

• Marital status

• Vehicle information

• Bank details

• Marketing preferences

• IP and cookie information

You may opt out of marketing at any time.

We will not request sensitive information unless necessary. If you voluntarily provide special category data such as health information or criminal records, we will only process it with your permission unless legally required.

If you do not provide required information, we may not be able to provide our services.

All communications may be recorded and/or saved.

3. What Happens If I Do Not Provide My Personal Information?

We require your personal information to process your finance application. Without it, we cannot provide our services.

We may send marketing communications about similar products and services.

You have the right to object to marketing communications and can unsubscribe easily at any time.

4. Who Will We Share Your Personal Information With?

We may share your information with the following lenders:

1. Marsh Finance

2. Close Brothers Motor Finance

3. First Response Finance

4. Advantage Finance

5. Blue Motor Finance

6. Moneybarn

7. Mallard Finance

8. Oodle Finance

9. Autolend Finance

10. Zopa Finance

11. Camco Finance

12. Tandem Motor Finance

13. Paragon Finance

14. NCO Europe Ltd

15. Jigsaw Finance

CRM System

Your information is held on our CRM system:

• AutoConvert (Blue Owl Network Ltd)

AutoConvert works with Credit Reference Agencies:

• Equifax Ltd

• Experian Ltd

A soft quotation footprint will be placed on your credit file. This:

• Is visible only to you

• Does not affect your credit score

• Is not visible to lenders

We do not see your credit file. AutoConvert only provides likely acceptance matches.

If false information is provided and fraud is suspected, this may be shared with fraud prevention agencies.

Credit Reference Agency Contact Details

Equifax Ltd
Customer Services Centre
PO Box 10036
Leicester
LE3 4FS
0800 014 2955

Experian Ltd
The Sir John Peace Building
Experian Way
NG2 Business Park
Nottingham
NG80 1ZZ

Fraud Prevention

Your data may be shared with fraud prevention agencies to:

• Prevent fraud and money laundering

• Verify identity

If fraud is detected, you may be refused services or finance.

Other Third Parties

We may also share your data with:

• Klassify (Compliance Guys Limited)

• Supplying dealerships

• Accounting, legal or regulatory bodies such as HMRC and the FCA

We do not transfer data outside the EEA.

All third parties undergo due diligence to ensure GDPR compliance.

5. How Long Will We Store Your Personal Information?

• Personal information is stored for up to six years on our CRM systems.

• Marketing data is stored until you unsubscribe.

• Accounting records are retained for seven years.

After this period, your data is confidentially destroyed.

6. Your Rights Under Data Protection Law

You have the following rights:

Right to Access

Request copies of your personal data.

Right to Rectification

Request correction of inaccurate data.

Right to Erasure

Request deletion of your data where legally permissible.

Right to Restrict Processing

Request limits on how we use your data.

Right to Object

Object to the use of your personal data.

Right to Data Portability

Receive your data in a readable format such as Excel or Word.

Right to Be Informed

Be fully informed about how your data is used.

Rights Relating to Automated Decision Making

If a decision is made electronically, you may contest it.

7. How Can I Exercise My Rights?

Contact us using the details provided above.

As a regulated firm, we must also comply with additional legal and regulatory obligations. If exemptions apply, we will explain any limitations.

8. Complaints

You may lodge a complaint:

• Directly with us using the contact details above

• With the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

ICO Contact:
https://ico.org.uk/concerns/
Telephone: 0303 123 1113

9. Cookies

Our website uses cookies. Please review our Cookies Policy.

You can refuse cookies when prompted.

10. Review

This policy is reviewed annually.
Last updated: December 2024

Updates will be reissued as soon as possible following approval by our Director and Senior Management team.