Privacy Policy

MotorCodex is an automotive reference site. We do not require visitor accounts and we do not sell personal information. This policy explains what information the site processes, why it is used, and the choices available to you.

Usage and device information: analytics and hosting providers may process page views, approximate location, browser and device details, cookie or device identifiers, referral information, IP address, and standard security logs. We use this information to operate, secure, measure, and improve MotorCodex.

VIN and vehicle information: when you use the VIN tool, the VIN is sent to a government vehicle-data service to retrieve results. Vehicle information saved in My Garage is stored locally in your browser unless a feature clearly says otherwise. We do not use VIN lookups to build advertising profiles.

Codi conversations: when you use Codi, we process the question, recent conversation context, language, page, and any vehicle label you choose to provide. The content is sent to an AI service provider to generate a response. We may retain the question, response, page, language, and a shortened cryptographic hash derived from the IP address to prevent abuse, evaluate quality, and identify useful topics for future MotorCodex content.

Information you send us: if you email MotorCodex or submit a correction, we process the information you provide so we can respond and maintain the site.

We use information to provide site features, answer Codi questions, return vehicle data, prevent spam and abuse, understand which pages are useful, troubleshoot errors, improve content, comply with legal obligations, and protect MotorCodex and its visitors.

We share information only as needed with categories of providers that help operate the site, including cloud hosting and security providers, analytics providers, AI processing providers, cloud database providers, government vehicle-data services, and affiliate or advertising partners. These providers process information under their own terms and privacy commitments.

We may also disclose information when reasonably necessary to comply with law, respond to valid legal process, investigate abuse, protect safety or rights, or complete a business reorganization. We do not sell personal information for money.

Analytics may use cookies or similar identifiers to distinguish visits and sessions. If we display advertising, ad providers may use cookies or similar technologies to serve and measure ads. Before enabling targeted advertising, we will update this policy and provide any consent or opt-out controls required by law.

Some outbound links are affiliate links (see our Affiliate Disclosure). Affiliate networks may set cookies on their own sites to attribute purchases.

We use a privacy-first, location-aware consent model. For visitors in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland, no analytics cookies are set until you opt in through our banner, which offers equal Accept and Essential-only options. For visitors elsewhere (including the United States and Latin America), anonymous analytics is enabled by default, as permitted by local law, and you can opt out at any time by choosing “Essential only” from the “Cookie preferences” link in the footer.

We currently enable analytics only, not advertising or profiling cookies. We honor supported browser privacy signals where applicable. Do not enter payment information, government identification numbers, passwords, private repair records, or other sensitive personal information into Codi.

You can additionally block cookies in your browser or use tracker blocking, and the site keeps working. For any privacy question or request, including access or deletion requests under GDPR, the CCPA/CPRA, or similar laws, email [email protected].

We retain information only as long as reasonably needed for security, quality review, content improvement, legal compliance, and dispute resolution. Service providers may maintain their own limited retention periods. Raw Codi records should not be treated as a private or confidential channel.

We use reasonable administrative and technical safeguards, but no website, network, or storage system can be guaranteed completely secure.

MotorCodex is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. A parent or guardian who believes a child submitted personal information should contact us so we can review and delete it.

We’ll update this page when our practices change, with the date above.