Privacy Policy
1. About this Privacy Policy
Test Drive Group Pty Ltd (ABN 51 679 064 343, ACN 679 064 343) operates the Buy My Next Car brand, website, digital assistant and related vehicle sourcing and referral services. In this Privacy Policy, “Buy My Next Car”, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to Test Drive Group Pty Ltd.
We are committed to handling personal information in accordance with applicable Australian privacy laws, including the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles where they apply. We aim to apply the same privacy standards to all personal information we handle.
This Policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, how we use and disclose it, and how you can contact us about your information.
2. The personal information we collect
The information we collect depends on how you use our website and which services you request. It may include:
- Identity and contact information, such as your name, telephone number, email address, suburb, postcode and confirmation that you are at least 18 years old.
- Vehicle requirements, such as your preferred vehicle type, brand, model, features, intended use, budget, purchase timing, location and whether you are seeking a new or used vehicle.
- Trade-in information, such as make, model, year, registration number, vehicle identification number, odometer reading, condition, service history, payout information and photographs you choose to provide.
- Business and fleet information, such as business name, ABN, your role, fleet size, vehicle-use requirements and other information relevant to a business or fleet enquiry.
- Communications, such as website enquiries, digital-assistant conversations, SMS messages, emails, call notes, uploaded files and records of your instructions and consents.
- Technical and usage information, such as IP address, browser type, device information, referring page, pages viewed, approximate location, cookies and similar technology data.
- Finance-referral information, limited to your name, telephone number, brief vehicle or finance purpose, relevant vehicle details and your consent to be contacted by our licensed broker partner.
3. How we collect personal information
We generally collect personal information directly from you when you:
- use our website, digital assistant, forms or vehicle-matching tools;
- contact us by telephone, email, SMS, social media or another communication channel;
- ask us to source, compare or negotiate a vehicle package;
- provide vehicle, trade-in, business or fleet information;
- request an introduction to a dealer, finance broker or other service provider;
- provide feedback, participate in a promotion or subscribe to updates; or
- otherwise deal with us in connection with our services.
We may also receive information from vehicle dealers, service providers, referral partners or other third parties where you have authorised the disclosure or where it is otherwise permitted by law. Some technical information is collected automatically through cookies, analytics tools and server logs.
Where it is lawful and practical, you may browse the website without identifying yourself. However, we will need contact details to source a vehicle, arrange a referral or respond personally to an enquiry.
4. Why we collect, hold, use and disclose information
We may use personal information to:
- respond to questions and provide requested information;
- understand your vehicle, budget, lifestyle, business or fleet requirements;
- research, source and compare suitable vehicles and dealer packages;
- communicate with dealers and other providers, obtain offers and coordinate introductions;
- assist with trade-in information, vehicle inspections, transport or delivery coordination;
- refer a finance enquiry to Acquired Financial Services with your express consent;
- send service updates, appointment details and transaction-related messages;
- operate, secure, troubleshoot and improve our website, digital assistant and customer experience;
- review conversations and outcomes for training, quality assurance and complaint handling;
- maintain business, consent and referral records;
- prevent fraud, misuse, security incidents and unlawful activity;
- send marketing communications where permitted by law and subject to your opt-out rights; and
- comply with legal, regulatory, accounting and record-keeping obligations.
5. Our digital assistant and automated technology
Our digital assistant is designed to provide 24/7 conversational guidance, collect vehicle requirements and direct enquiries to the appropriate human or third-party specialist.
The digital assistant may use artificial intelligence and third-party technology. AI-generated information can occasionally be incomplete, incorrect or out of date. Important vehicle specifications, current pricing, availability, dealer offers and finance information should be verified by the relevant human specialist, dealer or finance provider before you rely on it or enter into a transaction.
The digital assistant does not approve finance, assess creditworthiness, recommend a particular lender or credit product, or provide personalised credit assistance. Finance enquiries are handled in the manner described in section 7.
Digital-assistant conversations may be stored and reviewed by authorised staff and technology providers for customer service, security, quality assurance and service improvement. Where practicable, we minimise or de-identify personal information used for analysis and improvement.
6. When we disclose personal information
We may disclose personal information where reasonably necessary to provide a service you request, where you have consented, or where disclosure is otherwise permitted or required by law. Recipients may include:
- vehicle dealers, sellers and dealer groups;
- Acquired Financial Services Pty Ltd for a consented finance referral;
- vehicle inspection, valuation, transport, delivery, registration, fleet, novated leasing or other automotive service providers;
- website hosting, cloud storage, CRM, AI, communications, email, SMS, analytics, security and IT support providers;
- professional advisers, insurers, auditors and contractors who assist our business;
- government agencies, regulators, courts or law-enforcement bodies where required or authorised by law; and
- a purchaser or adviser in connection with a proposed business sale, restructure or transfer, subject to appropriate confidentiality arrangements.
Where practical, we may initially communicate vehicle requirements to dealers without identifying you. We generally provide your direct contact details to a dealer or other provider only where this is needed for the service, you have requested the introduction, or you have otherwise consented.
We do not sell lists of personal information as a standalone commercial product.
7. Finance referrals
Test Drive Group Pty Ltd acts as a finance referrer only. We do not provide credit assistance, assess a finance application, recommend a particular lender or credit product, or approve credit.
If you ask to speak with a finance broker and give your consent, we may provide your name, telephone number and a short description of the vehicle or purpose for which finance may be required to Acquired Financial Services Pty Ltd, Australian Credit Licence 488607. Vehicle details may also be included where available.
Acquired Financial Services will contact you directly and, from that point, will collect and manage any detailed identity, income, expense, credit or application information under its own privacy policy and Australian Credit Licence obligations.
Test Drive Group Pty Ltd may receive a commission or referral benefit if you proceed with finance arranged by Acquired Financial Services. We do not charge you a fee simply for making the finance referral.
8. Marketing and communications
We may send service messages about an enquiry, referral, appointment, dealer response or transaction you have requested. These are not marketing messages and may be necessary to provide the service.
Where permitted by law, we may also contact you about vehicle opportunities, services, promotions or updates that may be relevant to you. You can opt out of marketing at any time by using the unsubscribe option, replying STOP to an SMS where available, or contacting us. Opting out of marketing will not prevent essential service communications.
9. Cookies and website analytics
Our website may use cookies, pixels, local storage and similar technologies to operate the website, remember preferences, understand usage, measure performance, prevent misuse and support advertising or remarketing.
Where required, we will provide a cookie-consent tool that allows you to accept or reject non-essential categories. You can also manage cookies through your browser settings, although disabling some cookies may affect website functionality.
10. Overseas processing and disclosure
Some technology providers may process or store information outside Australia. Where personal information is disclosed overseas, we take reasonable steps appropriate to the circumstances to ensure it is handled consistently with applicable Australian privacy requirements, unless an exception applies.
11. Security and data breaches
We take reasonable technical and organisational steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss and unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. These steps may include access controls, authentication, secure service providers, staff restrictions, backups and monitoring.
No online system can be guaranteed to be completely secure. If we become aware of a data breach, we will investigate and take appropriate action, including notifications required under applicable law.
12. How long we keep information
We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, to maintain appropriate business and consent records, resolve disputes, meet legal obligations and protect legitimate business interests.
When information is no longer required, we take reasonable steps to delete, destroy or de-identify it, subject to legal, accounting, backup and record-retention requirements.
13. Access, correction and deletion requests
You may request access to personal information we hold about you or ask us to correct information that is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete, irrelevant or misleading. We may need to verify your identity before responding.
You may also ask us to delete information. We will consider the request and delete or de-identify information where reasonably practicable, unless we need to retain it for a legal, security, complaint, transaction or record-keeping reason.
We do not charge a fee for making a request. In limited circumstances, we may charge reasonable costs for providing access, after notifying you in advance. If we refuse a request, we will explain the reason where required by law.
14. People under 18
The website may be browsed by people under 18, but vehicle sourcing, finance referrals, document uploads and contractual services are intended for people aged 18 or over. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child without appropriate authority, we will take reasonable steps to delete it.
15. Privacy complaints
If you believe we have mishandled your personal information, please contact us using the details below and provide enough information for us to investigate. We aim to acknowledge complaints within five business days and provide an outcome within 30 days where reasonably practicable.
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may be able to complain to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. Complaints about credit assistance or the handling of a finance application should be directed to Acquired Financial Services using the details in its Credit Guide and privacy policy.
16. Changes to this Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy when our services, technology providers or legal obligations change. The current version will be published on our website with the updated date. Material changes may also be communicated through the website, email or another appropriate channel.
17. Contact us
Contact | Details |
Entity | Test Drive Group Pty Ltd (ABN 51 679 064 343, ACN 679 064 343), operator of the Buy My Next Car brand |
Telephone | |