Cookie Policy

Effective Date: 1 December 2025
Last Updated: 1 December 2025

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work efficiently, provide a better user experience, and provide information to website owners.

2. How We Use Cookies

AI Mechanic uses cookies to:

Keep you logged in to your account
Remember your preferences (theme, language)
Understand how you use our Service
Improve our website performance
Provide personalized content

3. Types of Cookies We Use

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies (Always Active)

These cookies are essential for the website to function and cannot be disabled.

Cookie Name	Purpose	Duration
`next-auth.session-token`	Authentication - keeps you logged in	30 days
`next-auth.csrf-token`	Security - prevents cross-site request forgery	Session
`__Secure-next-auth.callback-url`	Redirect after login	Session

3.2 Preference Cookies (Optional)

These cookies remember your choices and settings to provide a personalized experience.

Cookie Name	Purpose	Duration
`theme`	Remembers your theme preference (light/dark)	1 year
`cookie-consent`	Remembers your cookie consent choices	1 year

3.3 Analytics Cookies (Optional - Requires Consent)

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously.

Cookie Name	Purpose	Duration
`_ga`	Google Analytics - distinguishes users	2 years
`_ga_*`	Google Analytics - session tracking	2 years

4. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies are placed by third-party services that appear on our pages:

Stripe: Payment processing (seeStripe Cookie Policy)
Google OAuth: Sign-in with Google (seeGoogle Cookie Policy)
Cloudflare: Security and performance (seeCloudflare Cookie Policy)

5. Cookie Consent

Under UK PECR (Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations), we must obtain your consent before using non-essential cookies.

When you first visit AI Mechanic, you will see a cookie consent banner. You can:

Accept All: Allow all cookies (essential + optional)
Reject Optional: Allow only essential cookies
Customize: Choose which categories to allow

You can change your cookie preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in the footer.

6. How to Control Cookies

6.1 Via Our Cookie Banner

Use our cookie consent banner to accept or reject optional cookies. Your choice is saved for 1 year.

6.2 Via Browser Settings

Most browsers allow you to control cookies through settings. Here's how:

Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data
Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Manage and delete cookies

Warning: Blocking all cookies may prevent you from using certain features of AI Mechanic (e.g., staying logged in).

6.3 Opt-Out of Analytics

To opt out of Google Analytics across all websites, install theGoogle Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

7. Do Not Track (DNT)

Some browsers have a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that signals to websites that you do not want to be tracked. Currently, there is no industry standard for responding to DNT signals. AI Mechanic does not currently respond to DNT signals, but we respect your cookie consent choices.

8. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, legislation, or our practices. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date.

9. Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies, contact us at:

Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.aimechanic.uk