Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By creating an account or using MotorChain ("the Platform"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use the Platform. We reserve the right to update these Terms at any time. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.

2. Eligibility

• You must be at least 18 years old to use the Platform.
• You must provide accurate and complete registration information.
• You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account credentials.
• One person may not operate multiple accounts.

3. Our Services

MotorChain provides an online marketplace for buying and selling vehicles through three listing types:

• Marketplace (Fixed Price): Sellers list vehicles at a fixed price. Listings remain active for up to 30 days.
• Premium Auction: Timed auctions running 7 to 30 days. Sellers may set a reserve price. Membership is required to bid.
• Flash Auction: 24-hour auctions for quick sales. Membership is required to bid.

MotorChain acts as an intermediary platform only. We are not a party to the sale or purchase of any vehicle. All transactions are between the buyer and the seller.

4. Listing a Vehicle

• Sellers must be the legal owner or authorised representative of the vehicle.
• Listings must be accurate, truthful and not misleading. This includes mileage, condition, service history and damage history.
• Sellers must provide a valid UK vehicle registration number.
• Listing fees apply and are non-refundable once the listing goes live.
• MotorChain reserves the right to remove any listing that violates these Terms or is suspected of fraud.

5. Bidding and Purchasing

• Placing a bid on an auction is a binding commitment to purchase the vehicle at that price if you are the winning bidder.
• Bids cannot be retracted once placed, except within 12 hours if no higher bids have been placed.
• Bonus Time: If a bid is placed within the final 5 minutes of an auction, the auction is automatically extended by 1 minute to prevent sniping.
• Reserve Price: In Premium Auctions, if the reserve price is not met the seller is not obligated to sell.
• The winning bidder must complete the transaction within 7 days unless otherwise agreed.

6. Fees and Payments

6.1 Listing Fees

• Flash Auction: £5.99 per listing
• Fixed Marketplace: £15.00 per listing
• Premium Auction: £25.99 per listing
• Sponsored Ad: £5.00 (optional add-on for all listing types)

6.2 Contact / Success Fees

• Flash Auction winner: £100 flat contact fee
• Premium Auction winner: 3% of winning bid (minimum £300)
• Fixed Marketplace: no additional fee

6.3 Payment Processing

All payments are processed securely through Stripe. MotorChain does not store your full payment card details. By making a payment you agree to Stripe's terms of service.

7. Membership

A paid membership is required to bid on Flash Auction and Premium Auction listings. Membership grants access to bidding features and is non-transferable. Membership fees are non-refundable.

8. Vehicle Collection and Delivery

MotorChain does not handle vehicle collection, delivery or transportation. Buyers and sellers are responsible for arranging collection or delivery between themselves. We recommend meeting in a safe, public location and verifying all documentation before completing the handover.

9. Prohibited Conduct

You must not:

• List vehicles you do not own or are not authorised to sell
• Provide false, misleading or fraudulent information
• Manipulate auctions through shill bidding or collusion
• Use the Platform for money laundering or illegal activity
• Harass, threaten or abuse other users
• Circumvent fees by arranging transactions outside the Platform
• Create multiple accounts or use automated tools to access the Platform
• List stolen, cloned or illegally modified vehicles

10. Account Suspension and Termination

We may suspend or terminate your account at our discretion if you breach these Terms, engage in fraudulent activity, fail to complete transactions as a winning bidder, or for any other reason we deem necessary. Sellers who repeatedly fail to honour sales may be subject to penalties and permanent suspension.

11. Disclaimer of Warranties

The Platform is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. MotorChain does not guarantee the accuracy of vehicle listings, the condition of vehicles, the identity of users or the completion of any transaction. We do not inspect vehicles and make no representations about their quality, safety or legality.

12. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, MotorChain shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages arising from your use of the Platform, including but not limited to loss of profits, data or goodwill. Our total liability for any claim shall not exceed the amount you paid to MotorChain in fees during the 12 months preceding the claim.

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless MotorChain, its directors, employees and agents from any claims, losses, liabilities, damages, costs and expenses (including legal fees) arising from your use of the Platform, your breach of these Terms, or your violation of any law or the rights of a third party.

14. Intellectual Property

All content on the Platform, including the MotorChain name, logo, design, text and software, is owned by or licensed to MotorChain and protected by intellectual property laws. You may not copy, reproduce, distribute or create derivative works without our prior written consent. Vehicle photos and descriptions uploaded by sellers remain the property of the seller but are licensed to MotorChain for display on the Platform.

15. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the Platform shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

16. Contact Us

If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us:

Email: support@motorchain.com