The Competition and Markets Authority says it is taking action against private operators after a surge in the number of tickets being issuing
Watchdogs are investigating claims some drivers have been slapped with parking charges while queuing for petrol.
The Competition and Markets Authority confirmed it had opened a probe into the actions of Euro Car Parks to look at whether its practices at petrol stations and handling of appeals may breach consumer protection law.
“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,” the CMA said, while refusing to go into further details.
However, the move follows previous reports of drivers being slapped with punishing charges for overstaying their welcome at petrol stations – with £100 penalties being issued after just 20 minutes.
It came after two major forecourt providers, BP and Shell, signed deals with private parking firms to install CCTV cameras at entrances and exits at fuel stations.
The CMA said it was also examining aspects of Euro Cap Parks’ wider appeals processes, relating to both petrol stations and car parks. “The CMA is at the beginning of its investigation, and it has reached no conclusions about whether Euro Car Parks has broken the law,” it added.
The watchdog announced in February this year it had fined Euro Car Parks £473,000 for failing to respond to a notice that legally required the company to provide information. Euro Car Parks has appealed the CMA’s decision to issue the penalty, and the appeal is on-going. It does not concern any alleged infringement of consumer protection law.
It came as the CMA announced a package of actions it claimed would help motorists dealing with private parking operators to ensure they are treated fairly when challenging parking charges.
Research suggests 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 just six years ago.
The CMA is also writing to private parking operators outlining concerns about the appeal process for drivers and potentially unfair additional charges applied when seeking to recover unpaid parking charges.
It is calling on the wider sector to take action to ensure their practices are consistent with consumer law and writing to trade associations setting out steps that can be taken now to improve appeals handling and communications with motorists
And it is making recommendations to government on the new Code of Practice, that it has consulted on. This includes recommendations that parking firms should be required to make drivers aware of their rights, improve their appeals processes to make them fair and consistent and looking at the rules around consideration periods.
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.
“Parking companies must treat motorists fairly at all stages – and a clear and consistent appeals process must be at the heart of this.
“We’re setting out a package of actions and recommendations to help drivers and we’ve launched an investigation into the practices of Euro Car Parks. It’s time for all private parking operators to comply with consumer law or risk action from the CMA.”
Euro Car Parks has been contacted for comment.
