Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of These Terms

Welcome to MechLink. MechLink is a technology marketplace that helps vehicle owners discover and connect with mechanics, automotive service providers, and spare-parts sellers.

By creating an account, accessing, browsing, or using the MechLink website, application, or any related service, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy.

If you do not agree with these Terms, you must not use MechLink.

2. Definitions

• MechLink: the MechLink platform, website, applications, technology, and related services.
• User: any person who accesses or uses MechLink.
• Customer: a User seeking vehicle repair, maintenance, diagnostic, roadside, or related automotive services.
• Mechanic: an independent automotive technician or service provider offering services through MechLink.
• Seller: an independent person or business offering automotive spare parts or related products through MechLink.
• Service Provider: a Mechanic, Seller, or other independent provider offering services or products through the platform.
• Services: the automotive-related services, marketplace functionality, communication tools, listings, matching, reviews, and other features provided through MechLink.

3. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old and legally capable of entering into a binding agreement to use MechLink.

By using MechLink, you represent that the information provided during registration is accurate and that you have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms.

4. Account Registration

Certain features require an account. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information and to keep that information updated.

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for activities conducted through your account.

You must notify MechLink promptly if you suspect unauthorized access to your account.

5. MechLink's Role

MechLink operates as a technology platform that facilitates connections between Customers and independent automotive service providers and sellers.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, MechLink does not itself perform vehicle repairs, manufacture spare parts, sell vehicles, or supply the automotive services listed by independent Service Providers.

A Service Provider is an independent third party and is not an employee, agent, partner, or representative of MechLink solely by virtue of being listed or using the platform.

6. Mechanics and Automotive Services

Mechanics are responsible for the services they provide, including the quality, safety, legality, workmanship, pricing, estimates, parts used, and representations made to Customers.

A mechanic's profile, verification status, rating, or listing on MechLink does not constitute a guarantee that every service provided by that mechanic will meet a particular standard or produce a particular result.

Vehicle repairs may involve risks, including damage to vehicles, replacement of functioning components, incomplete diagnosis, additional faults discovered during repair, or differences between an initial estimate and the final repair cost.

Customers are responsible for reviewing and approving quotations, proposed repairs, replacement parts, and applicable charges before authorizing work.

7. Spare Parts and Sellers

Sellers are responsible for the accuracy, legality, quality, condition, authenticity, compatibility, and description of spare parts or other products they list.

Customers should verify that a part is appropriate for their vehicle before purchase or installation.

Where a Seller identifies a product as genuine, original, aftermarket, refurbished, used, or reconditioned, that description must be accurate.

MechLink does not manufacture the products listed by independent Sellers and does not guarantee the condition or suitability of every product listed on the platform.

8. Requests, Quotes, and Service Agreements

Customers may submit repair or service requests through MechLink. Service Providers may respond to those requests where the relevant feature is available.

A quote or estimate provided by a Service Provider is the responsibility of that Service Provider. Unless expressly stated, MechLink does not guarantee that a quote is complete, final, or accurate.

The Customer and Service Provider are responsible for confirming the scope of work, price, parts, timing, and other applicable conditions before work begins.

9. Payments and Fees

At the current stage of the MechLink platform, MechLink does not operate a customer wallet, escrow account, or in-platform payout system unless a specific payment feature is expressly made available to Users.

Where payments are made directly between a Customer and a Service Provider, the parties are responsible for agreeing the applicable price, payment method, taxes, refunds, and other commercial terms.

MechLink may introduce payment processing, service fees, commissions, subscriptions, or other charges in the future. Any applicable charges will be disclosed before they become payable.

Users must not use MechLink to facilitate fraudulent payments, money laundering, unauthorized transactions, or other unlawful financial activity.

10. Off-Platform Transactions and Platform Fees

Users must not intentionally circumvent an applicable MechLink service fee or commission by using information obtained through MechLink to avoid an applicable platform charge.

Where MechLink introduces transaction fees or commission arrangements, the applicable fee structure will be communicated to the affected Users.

11. Reviews and Ratings

Users may submit ratings, reviews, photographs, comments, and other feedback relating to their genuine experience on MechLink.

Reviews must be truthful, relevant, and based on the User's genuine experience.

• False or fabricated reviews
• Reviews submitted in exchange for undisclosed compensation
• Threatening or abusive content
• Defamatory or unlawful content
• Personal information belonging to another person
• Content intended to manipulate ratings

MechLink may remove, restrict, or moderate content that violates these Terms or applicable law.

12. User Content

Users may upload photographs, vehicle information, descriptions, reviews, messages, and other content to the platform.

You retain ownership of content you submit, but grant MechLink a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to host, store, reproduce, display, and process that content as reasonably necessary to operate, improve, secure, and promote the platform.

You must not upload content that infringes another person's intellectual property, privacy, or other legal rights.

13. Prohibited Conduct

Users must not use MechLink to:

• Commit fraud or other unlawful activity
• Impersonate another person or business
• Provide false or misleading information
• Harass, threaten, abuse, or intimidate another User
• Manipulate ratings or reviews
• Upload malware or malicious code
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the platform
• Scrape or misuse MechLink data without authorization
• Use the platform for unlawful purposes
• Attempt to circumvent applicable MechLink fees
• Conduct transactions intended to facilitate fraud or theft

14. Verification

MechLink may request identity, business, professional, certification, location, or other information from Service Providers for verification purposes.

Verification indicates that information or documentation has been reviewed according to MechLink's applicable verification process. It does not constitute a guarantee of a Service Provider's future conduct, workmanship, financial position, or legal compliance.

MechLink may suspend or remove a verification status where information is inaccurate, expired, fraudulent, or otherwise inconsistent with platform requirements.

15. Safety

Users should exercise reasonable caution when meeting other Users or Service Providers and when allowing another person to access a vehicle, property, or premises.

Users should not proceed with a repair, inspection, test drive, installation, or other activity where they reasonably believe it creates an immediate risk to persons or property.

In an emergency or where there is an immediate risk of injury or serious property damage, contact the appropriate emergency service or qualified professional.

16. Disputes Between Users

Disputes concerning the quality, price, timing, workmanship, condition of a vehicle, spare part, or other transaction are primarily matters between the Customer and the relevant Service Provider.

MechLink may, at its discretion, assist Users in communicating or reviewing information relating to a dispute, but does not guarantee that every dispute will be resolved in favour of either party.

Nothing in these Terms prevents a User from exercising any legal right or remedy available under applicable Nigerian law.

17. Account Suspension and Termination

MechLink may suspend, restrict, or terminate an account where it reasonably believes that a User has violated these Terms, engaged in fraudulent or harmful conduct, provided materially false information, or where action is required to comply with applicable law or protect Users or the platform.

Where appropriate, MechLink may provide notice of suspension or termination and may allow the User to appeal or provide additional information.

18. Intellectual Property

MechLink and its licensors own or control the platform, including its software, branding, logos, designs, text, graphics, and other proprietary materials, except for content supplied by Users or third parties.

You may not copy, modify, distribute, reverse engineer, sell, license, or commercially exploit MechLink's proprietary materials without prior written permission, except where permitted by law.

19. Privacy and Data Protection

MechLink collects and processes personal information in connection with operating the platform, providing services, communicating with Users, improving security, and fulfilling legal obligations.

The processing of personal data is governed by the MechLink Privacy Policy and applicable Nigerian data protection law, including the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.

Users should review the Privacy Policy to understand what personal information MechLink collects, why it is collected, how it is used, and the rights available to data subjects.

20. Third-Party Services

MechLink may use third-party services for hosting, authentication, communications, maps, analytics, cloud storage, payment processing, or other functionality.

Third-party services may have their own terms and privacy policies. MechLink is not responsible for the independent operation or policies of third-party services.

21. Availability and Changes to the Platform

MechLink may modify, suspend, discontinue, or restrict parts of the platform from time to time for maintenance, security, operational, commercial, or legal reasons.

MechLink does not guarantee that the platform will always be available, uninterrupted, secure, or error-free.

22. Disclaimers

To the extent permitted by applicable law, MechLink provides the platform on an "as available" basis.

MechLink does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, safety, suitability, availability, or quality of every listing, mechanic, seller, vehicle service, spare part, quote, review, or other information provided by Users or third parties.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits any liability or consumer right that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited under applicable Nigerian law.

23. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, MechLink will not be responsible for indirect, incidental, special, punitive, or consequential losses arising from a User's use of the platform or from transactions between Users.

Nothing in these Terms is intended to exclude liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited, including liability arising from fraud or other circumstances where exclusion or limitation is prohibited by law.

24. Indemnification

To the extent permitted by applicable law, you agree to indemnify and hold MechLink and its officers, employees, contractors, and representatives harmless from claims, losses, liabilities, damages, and reasonable expenses arising from your unlawful use of the platform, violation of these Terms, or infringement of another person's rights.

25. Changes to These Terms

MechLink may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes to the platform, business model, legal requirements, or services.

The updated version will be published on this page with a revised "Last updated" date. Where required by law, MechLink will provide additional notice of material changes.

Continued use of MechLink after the effective date of updated Terms constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

26. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Nothing in these Terms prevents a consumer from exercising rights or remedies available under applicable Nigerian law.

27. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is determined to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, that provision will be limited or removed to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will continue in effect.

28. Contact MechLink

Questions, complaints, or requests concerning these Terms may be directed to:

Email: customerservice@mechlink.com.ng