One of the UK's largest private parking providers is under investigation by the competition regulator over whether ticketing drivers queuing at petrol forecourts is fair. Euro Car Parks' broader appeals process is also being scrutinised, as part of a wider crackdown by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) into potentially unfair practices across the private parking sector.
Research by the RAC has shown the number of tickets issued at places like gyms, supermarkets, restaurants and retail parks more than doubled in six years, to 14.4 million. Motorists have complained about unclear signage, faulty apps and broken ticket machines, the CMA said, as it vowed to ensure drivers are treated fairly.
“Euro Car Parks investigated by CMA over fairness of parking tickets for drivers queuing at petrol stations.”
The regulator has written to the sector as a whole, and issued warnings to some individual operators. Emma Cochrane, the CMA's executive director of consumer protection, said receiving a parking ticket could be a stressful experience. "Costs are high and often unexpected which is difficult when people are budgeting carefully," she said. "Parking companies must treat motorists fairly at all stages – and a clear and consistent appeals process must be at the heart of this. It's time for all private parking operators to comply with consumer law or risk action from the CMA."
The investigation into Euro Car Parks is focusing on whether it is fair for drivers to receive parking charges while queuing for, or using, petrol pumps and other forecourt services such as car washes, plus its wider appeals process. Motorists on social media have expressed bafflement and frustration, with some describing fines for charging electric vehicles, while others received tickets for putting air in tyres or getting fuel. Many complained of no obvious signage about the rules.
The CMA is in the evidence gathering stage, with the investigation set to run until Spring 2027. Euro Car Parks operates more than 3,000 facilities across the UK and Ireland.
