Terms of Service

Last Updated: February 2026

Important: DashOrNOT is an AI identification tool, NOT a substitute for professional automotive diagnosis. Warning lights can indicate serious safety issues. Always consult a qualified mechanic for definitive diagnosis and repair.

Safety Warning

If your dashboard shows a red oil pressure or temperature light, pull over immediately and shut off the engine. Do not continue driving. These lights indicate conditions that can cause catastrophic engine damage within minutes. Call for roadside assistance.

1. Acceptance

By accessing or using DashOrNOT, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the service.

2. How It Works

DashOrNOT is a client-side web application that runs entirely in your browser. You provide your own Groq API key for AI-powered dashboard scanning, and all processing is performed directly between your browser and Groq's API at api.groq.com. There is no DashOrNOT server — the site is static code hosted on Cloudflare's CDN. No dashboard photos, VINs, or diagnosis results are received, processed, or stored by us.

3. Your API Key

You are responsible for your own Groq API key. By using DashOrNOT, you agree to:

Comply with Groq's Terms of Use
Keep your API key secure
Accept responsibility for all usage under your key

DashOrNOT does not have access to your API key and cannot be held responsible for charges incurred on your Groq account.

4. Not a Professional Diagnosis

DashOrNOT is not a substitute for:

A professional diagnostic scan using an OBD-II reader
Diagnosis by a certified mechanic or automotive technician
Official vehicle service at an authorized dealer
A pre-purchase vehicle inspection

Dashboard warning lights can have hundreds of possible underlying causes. AI identifies the symbol and its general meaning, but cannot determine the specific fault code or root cause without a physical diagnostic tool.

5. No Guarantees

Diagnosis results may be incomplete, inaccurate, or miss critical issues. Common limitations include:

AI may misidentify a warning light symbol
The same light can mean different things on different vehicles
Multiple faults may share a single warning light
Some lights may not be visible in a photo (e.g., intermittent lights)
Cost estimates are rough averages and vary widely by vehicle and location
VIN-specific TSB and recall data may be incomplete

You agree that results are informational only and require professional verification. A "clean" dashboard does not guarantee a healthy vehicle.

6. Safety Disclaimer

Warning lights exist for a reason — to alert you to potential safety issues. DashOrNOT provides educational information about what warning lights typically mean. However:

Red lights generally indicate critical conditions requiring immediate attention
Amber/yellow lights generally indicate conditions requiring service soon
Green/blue lights are generally informational indicators

When in doubt, do not drive. Call a mechanic or roadside assistance. No app can replace the judgment of a trained professional with access to your vehicle.

7. Prohibited Uses

You agree not to use DashOrNOT for:

Misrepresenting vehicle condition to buyers or sellers
Automated bulk scanning or data scraping
Any purpose that violates federal, state, or local laws
Providing professional automotive diagnosis without proper certification

8. No Data Retention

Because DashOrNOT operates entirely in your browser, no scan data is retained by us. Dashboard photos, VINs, and diagnosis results exist only in your browser tab and are lost when you close it. See our Privacy Policy for full details on our BYOK architecture.

9. Limitation of Liability

DashOrNOT is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, express or implied. We are not liable for:

Any driving or repair decisions made based on scan results
Vehicle damage resulting from misidentified warning lights
Personal injury from ignoring or misinterpreting warning indicators
Inaccuracies in AI-generated diagnosis or cost estimates
Any issues arising from your use of the Groq API
Financial losses resulting from reliance on scan results

10. Free Forever Guarantee

DashOrNOT is and will remain completely free for all users, with zero tracking. This is a fundamental term of the product:

No premium tiers, paywalls, or paid features — ever
No analytics, tracking pixels, cookies, or user data collection
No advertisements
The BYOK (Bring Your Own Key) architecture ensures user privacy by design

In the event of a sale or transfer of ownership, these terms are binding on any successor. The product must remain free with zero tracking as a condition of any acquisition.

11. Changes

We may update these Terms at any time. Continued use of the service indicates acceptance of any changes.

12. Contact

If you have questions, join our Discord.

Remember

DashOrNOT identifies what the light IS and what it likely MEANS. It does not tell you what is specifically wrong with your vehicle. Think of it as a triage tool — it tells you whether to panic, schedule service, or relax. Always consult a qualified mechanic for definitive diagnosis.