CMA Investigates Private Parking Charges at Petrol Stations

This month, the UK’s competition watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), announced a series of measures aimed at improving the experience of UK motorists dealing with private parking operators and helping ensure they are treated fairly when challenging parking charges.  

Research undertaken by the RAC suggests private parking operators issued around 14.4 million parking tickets in the year 2024/25 at places such as gyms, supermarkets, restaurants and retail parks. This is more than double the number issued six years ago.  

The CMA states that it is aware of complaints from motorists, who often feel they have been unfairly issued with a parking ticket. Complaints highlighted include unclear signage, broken ticket machines and faulty apps. Based on its own analysis, the CMA has concerns about potentially unfair practices of some operators – including the way they handle appeals and attempt to recover additional fees on top of the parking charge. 

The CMA has announced it will investigate these concerns with the aim of improving the motorist’s experience of using private car parks. In particular, the CMA will:

• Open an investigation into the London-based private parking firm Euro Car Parks to examine whether its practices at petrol stations and its handling of appeals may breach consumer protection law. In particular, the investigation will consider whether it’s fair for some drivers to receive parking charges while queuing for, or using, petrol pumps and other forecourt services, such as car washes. 
• Write to other private parking operators outlining concerns about the appeal process for drivers and potentially unfair additional charges applied when seeking to recover unpaid parking charges.
• Call on the wider sector to take action to ensure their practices are consistent with consumer law and write to trade associations setting out steps that can be taken now to improve appeals handling and communications with motorists.
• Make recommendations to government on the new Code of Practice.

Emma Cochrane, Executive Director of Consumer Protection at the CMA, said, “Being issued with a parking charge can be a stressful experience. Costs are high and often unexpected which is difficult when people are budgeting carefully.”

The CMA offered the following advice to ensure the consumer doesn’t get caught out:

• Always check the signage for the rules that apply every time you park so you don’t get caught out.
• Don’t assume free parking is automatic, even if you are a customer. Some places such as supermarkets, gyms and restaurants require drivers to register their vehicle details or scan a receipt to show they are a customer to get free parking. 

• Keep evidence if something goes wrong. If payment machines are not working, your car breaks down, or another issue arises, take photos and keep receipts, in case you need to prove what happened – or need to appeal. 
• If you get a parking charge, don’t ignore it. If you believe the charge has been issued incorrectly, act quickly and appeal to the parking operator within 14 days.
• Know your rights if you get a parking charge notice. You always have the right to appeal. The charge should be cancelled or reduced significantly if you have evidence that shows you should be exempt because of an emergency outside of your control or where you mistyped your registration number.