Thousands of motorists who have been fined for queuing at petrol stations could soon see those charges challenged, after the UK's competition regulator launched an investigation into one of the country's largest private parking providers.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is examining whether Euro Car Parks’ practice of issuing tickets to drivers while they queue for petrol or use forecourt services such as car washes is fair under consumer protection law. The regulator is also scrutinising the company’s broader appeals process for petrol stations and car parks.
“CMA investigates Euro Car Parks over parking fines for drivers queuing at petrol stations.”
The investigation comes as part of a wider crackdown by the CMA on potentially unfair practices by private parking operators. Research by the RAC has shown that the number of tickets issued at places like gyms, supermarkets, restaurants and retail parks more than doubled in six years, reaching 14.4 million. Motorists have complained about unclear signage, faulty apps and broken ticket machines, the CMA said.
“Receiving a parking ticket can be a stressful experience,” said Emma Cochrane, the CMA’s executive director of consumer protection. “Costs are high and often unexpected which is difficult when people are budgeting carefully. Parking companies must treat motorists fairly at all stages – and a clear and consistent appeals process must be at the heart of this.”
The regulator has written to the entire sector and issued warnings to some individual operators about their practices. In an open letter, the CMA warned private parking operators to review their terms and conditions and make changes if necessary to ensure compliance with consumer law.
Motorists on social media have expressed bafflement and frustration at receiving parking tickets for overstaying at petrol stations. Some described being fined while charging electric vehicles, others while putting air in their tyres or getting fuel. Several complained there was no obvious signage displaying the facility’s rules.
The investigation into Euro Car Parks – which operates more than 3,000 facilities across the UK and Ireland – is still in its evidence-gathering stage and is set to run until spring 2027. The outcome could reshape how private parking operators handle tickets at petrol stations, with the CMA making it clear that all operators must comply with consumer law or face action.
