Our Privacy Policy

Last updated: 19/08/2026. This policy explains what personal data Big Pants Recoveries & Scrap Cars ("we", "us", "our") collects when you contact us about selling your car, why we collect it, who we share it with, and the rights you have over it. Big Pants Recoveries & Scrap Cars is a sole trader business, and we're the data controller for the information described below. We handle your data in line with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Who We Are

Big Pants Recoveries & Scrap Cars is a sole trader buying cars across Manchester and the wider Greater Manchester area, including vehicles with MOT failures, mechanical faults, or no logbook. Our business address is 46 Edith St, Oldham, Greater Manchester OL8 2AL. If you have any questions about this policy or how we handle your data, you can call us on 07386 643640 or message us on WhatsApp.

What Information We Collect

We only collect what we actually need to give you a price, arrange collection, and pay you. Depending on how you get in touch, this can include:

• Your name, phone number, and collection address
• Vehicle registration, make, model, mileage, and MOT history
• Details of any faults, damage, or MOT failures you tell us about
• V5C logbook and MOT certificate details, where provided
• Bank details, used only to pay you for the vehicle
• Photos of the vehicle, if you send them to help us value it, for example over WhatsApp
• Records of calls, texts, or WhatsApp messages between us

We don't currently ask for or store your email address as part of a sale, we handle everything by phone and WhatsApp instead. If that changes, we'll update this policy.

Why We Collect It

We use your information to provide a valuation, arrange free collection, complete the paperwork to transfer ownership, and pay you for the car. We also use it to meet our legal obligations, such as notifying the DVLA of a change of keeper, and to keep records for accounting and fraud-prevention purposes.

Our legal basis for most of this processing is that it's necessary to perform a contract with you, once you agree to sell us your car. Where we're not yet under contract, for example when you first ask for a valuation, we rely on our legitimate interest in responding to your enquiry. Where the law requires us to keep certain records, such as notifying the DVLA, we rely on a legal obligation.

Who We Share It With

We don't sell your personal data. We share it only where it's needed to complete the sale or where the law requires it, including with:

• The DVLA, to notify a change of keeper
• Our collection drivers and logistics partners, to arrange pickup
• Payment providers, to transfer funds to you
• Our IT and website hosting providers, who process data on our behalf
• Regulators, insurers, or law enforcement, where we're legally required to

How Long We Keep It

We keep transaction records, including vehicle and payment details, for as long as we're required to for accounting and tax purposes, generally six years. If you contact us for a valuation but don't go ahead with a sale, we keep your enquiry details for a shorter period and delete them once they're no longer needed.

Cookies And Our Website

We don't use analytics, tracking, or advertising cookies on our website. The only third-party technology we use is Google reCAPTCHA on our contact and instant scrap metal forms, which helps stop automated bots from submitting fake enquiries. reCAPTCHA may set a cookie and process some technical data, such as your IP address, in order to work, this is covered by Google's own privacy policy. It's necessary for the form to function securely, so it isn't something you can opt out of while still using the form.

Keeping Your Data Secure

We take reasonable technical and organisational steps to protect your information from loss, misuse, or unauthorised access, including restricting who within our business can see it and using secure systems to store it.

Your Rights

Under UK data protection law, you have the right to:

• Ask for a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Ask us to correct anything that's inaccurate or incomplete
• Ask us to delete your data, where we don't have a legal reason to keep it
• Ask us to restrict or object to how we use your data
• Ask for your data in a portable format, where technically possible
• Withdraw consent at any time, where we're relying on consent

To use any of these rights, call us on 07386 643640 or message us on WhatsApp. We'll respond within one month. If you're not happy with how we've handled your data, you also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.

Common Privacy Questions

Do you share my details with other car buyers?

No. We don't pass your details to other dealers or buyers; the only third parties involved are those needed to complete your sale, such as the DVLA and our payment provider.

What happens to my data if I get a valuation but don't sell?

We keep your enquiry details only for as long as needed to follow up with you, then delete them. You can also ask us to delete them sooner at any time.

Will my bank details be kept on file?

We only use your bank details to process your payment. They're not used for anything else and are retained only as long as our accounting obligations require.

Changes To This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time, for example if the law changes or we start collecting data in a new way. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated date at the top. If you have any questions, get in touch and we'll be happy to help.

Scrap Your Car With Us Today

Damaged, non-runner or MOT failure, we'll collect any car in any condition and get you paid fast.