Know what you're buying
before you sign anything.

1. Acceptance

By creating an account and using CarClarity ("the Service"), you agree to these Terms in full. If you do not agree, you must not use the Service. These Terms were last updated in 2026 and apply to all users.

2. Service Description

CarClarity provides informational vehicle data sourced from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public API. Results are for informational purposes only and do not constitute professional advice of any kind.

3. No Guarantee of Accuracy

We display data as provided by government sources. We do not modify, enhance, or validate vehicle records. Government databases may be incomplete, outdated, or delayed. NHTSA data is updated periodically but may not reflect the most current information.

4. Not a Substitute for Professional Inspection

CarClarity results do not replace a certified mechanic inspection, a full vehicle history report (such as Carfax or AutoCheck), or any other form of professional due diligence. You are solely responsible for your purchasing decisions.

5. Tokens and Payments

Tokens are consumed when a search is completed. Tokens are non-refundable, except where required by applicable local law. If a search fails due to a verified technical error on our part, your token may be restored at our discretion. Payments are processed by Gumroad, who acts as the Merchant of Record. CarClarity does not store your payment card details.

6. Prohibited Uses

You may not: create multiple accounts to abuse free tokens; use automated scripts to query the Service; resell or redistribute reports; reverse-engineer the Service; or use the Service for any unlawful purpose.

7. Limitation of Liability

8. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, United States of America, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes not subject to arbitration (Section 9) shall be brought exclusively in the courts of Delaware.

9. Dispute Resolution — Binding Arbitration & Class Action Waiver

10. No Warranty / Disclaimer

11. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms periodically. Continued use of the Service after notice of changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

Terms Version: 2026-v2.

1. What We Collect

We collect: your email address; a hashed (non-reversible) password; vehicle queries and search history; your country of residence; a device identifier stored in your browser; optional feedback and messages; and a record of your agreement to these Terms (timestamp, version, and IP-derived country).

2. Cookies & Session Tokens

We use session tokens stored in your browser's localStorage to keep you logged in. These are functional and strictly necessary for the Service to operate. We do not use advertising trackers, third-party analytics cookies, or cross-site tracking of any kind. A cookie consent notice is displayed on first visit in accordance with international standards.

3. How We Use Your Data

Your data is used to: operate and secure your account; display your search history; prevent abuse and fraud; process payments via Gumroad; and improve the Service. We do not sell, rent, or share your personal data with advertisers or data brokers.

4. Data Storage & Security

Account data is stored in Google Sheets (a service of Google LLC, subject to Google's privacy policies). Your password is hashed using SHA-256 with a unique salt before storage — we never store plain-text passwords. Session tokens are cryptographically random and expire after 72 hours.

5. Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services:

Gumroad, Inc. — for payment processing. Gumroad acts as the Merchant of Record. Your payment card details are handled exclusively by Gumroad and are subject to Gumroad's Privacy Policy. We receive only a transaction confirmation and the email address used for payment.

NHTSA (U.S. Government) — for vehicle recall, complaint, and safety data. Queries to NHTSA include vehicle identifiers (VIN or Year/Make/Model) but not your personal information.

Google APIs (Fonts) — we load fonts from Google Fonts, which may set a browser cookie per Google's policies.

6. Data Retention

We retain your data for as long as your account is active. Search history is retained for up to 24 months. You may request deletion at any time (see Section 7).

7. Your Rights — Data Subject Access Request (DSAR)

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to: access a copy of your data; correct inaccurate data; request deletion ("right to be forgotten"); restrict or object to processing; and data portability. To exercise any of these rights, email us at: with the subject line "Data Request." We will respond within 30 days.

8. Children's Privacy

The Service is not directed at children under the age of 13 (or 16 where required by local law). We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has provided data, contact us immediately for deletion.

9. International Transfers

Data may be processed in the United States and other countries where our service providers operate. By using the Service, you consent to these transfers.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. We will notify you of material changes via email or an in-app notice.

Privacy Policy Version: 2026-v2.