Euro Car Parks

About Euro Car Parks

Euro Car Parks (ECP) is one of the UK’s largest private parking operators, managing thousands of sites across the country including shopping centres, retail parks, hotels, hospitals, and residential developments. In 2024-25 alone, they made over 891,000 requests to the DVLA for registered keeper data — making them the second biggest issuer of parking charge notices in the UK, behind only ParkingEye.

Like all private parking operators, Euro Car Parks issues Parking Charge Notices (PCNs) that are not fines in the legal sense. They are contractual invoices — and that distinction is very important when it comes to appealing.

Can You Ignore a Euro Car Parks Charge?

Technically, Euro Car Parks cannot force you to pay without taking you to court. However, ignoring a charge entirely carries risks:

• The charge will escalate — typically from a discounted amount (around £40-60) to the full amount (£100 or more)
• The debt may be passed to a collections agency such as MIL Collections or BW Legal
• In rare cases, they may pursue a County Court Judgment (CCJ) — though this is uncommon for smaller charges

Our recommendation: Don’t ignore it — appeal it. A well-constructed appeal costs you nothing and could get the charge cancelled entirely.

Is Euro Car Parks a BPA or IPC Member?

Euro Car Parks is a member of the British Parking Association (BPA) and operates under their Approved Operator Scheme. This means:

• They must follow the BPA Code of Practice
• If they reject your appeal, you have the right to escalate to POPLA (Parking on Private Land Appeals) for free
• POPLA decisions are binding on Euro Car Parks

How Much Is the Charge?

Euro Car Parks typically issues charges of £100, with a discounted rate of around £40-60 if paid within 14 days. The exact amount will be shown on your PCN.

Step-by-Step: How to Appeal a Euro Car Parks PCN

Step 1: Check Your PCN Carefully

Before doing anything, read your Parking Charge Notice closely and check for errors. Common mistakes that can invalidate a PCN include:

• Wrong vehicle registration number
• Wrong date or time
• The notice was received more than 14 days after the alleged parking event (a breach of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012)
• Missing mandatory wording required under PoFA 2012
• Incorrect site address

Step 2: Decide Whether to Appeal as Driver or Keeper

If you were the driver, appeal as the driver. If you were not driving (e.g. a family member was), you can appeal as the registered keeper without revealing who was driving. Euro Car Parks must then prove their case against the keeper under PoFA — which is more difficult for them.

Step 3: Submit Your Informal Appeal to Euro Car Parks

You have 28 days from the date of the PCN to submit an appeal directly to Euro Car Parks. You can do this:

• Online: via their appeals portal at eurocarparks.com
• In writing: send a letter to their appeals address (shown on the PCN)

Your appeal must include:

• Your PCN reference number
• Your vehicle registration
• Your full name and address
• The name of the driver (if different from the keeper — though you are not legally required to name the driver)
• Your grounds for appeal (see below)
• Any supporting evidence (photos, receipts, permits, etc.)

Grounds for Appeal: What Actually Works

Here are the strongest arguments to use in your appeal against Euro Car Parks:

1. PoFA Non-Compliance

The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 sets out strict requirements for how and when a PCN must be served. If Euro Car Parks failed to issue the Notice to Keeper within 14 days, or if it is missing required statutory wording, the keeper cannot be held liable. This is one of the most powerful arguments available.

2. Inadequate or Unclear Signage

For a parking contract to exist, the terms must be clearly communicated at the point of entry. If signs were hidden, damaged, absent, too small, poorly lit, or positioned after the entrance, there is a strong argument that no contract was formed. Take photographs of the signage (or lack thereof) if possible.

3. Pay and Display Machine Was Faulty

If you attempted to pay but the machine was out of order or not working, document this. Photos and any available CCTV evidence can support your case. Euro Car Parks has an obligation to maintain their equipment.

4. Permit or Right to Park

If you held a valid permit, a resident’s pass, or were visiting a premises where parking was included (e.g. a hotel, supermarket, or gym), state this clearly and include supporting evidence such as a receipt, booking confirmation, or permit document.

5. Grace Periods

Under the BPA Code of Practice, Euro Car Parks must allow a minimum 10-minute grace period when leaving a car park. If you were charged for overstaying by 10 minutes or less, this is a clear breach of the code and strong grounds for cancellation.

6. No Landowner Authority

Euro Car Parks must have a valid contract with the landowner giving them the authority to issue charges. In some cases — particularly older or disputed sites — this authority has been challenged and found lacking. It is worth requesting a copy of their contract with the landowner as part of your appeal.

7. Genuine Emergency or Medical Issue

If you overstayed due to a medical emergency, breakdown, or other genuine unavoidable circumstance, explain this clearly and provide supporting evidence (e.g. a doctor’s letter, breakdown recovery receipt, or hospital record).

Step 4: If Your Appeal Is Rejected — Escalate to POPLA

If Euro Car Parks rejects your informal appeal, do not give up. You have the right to escalate to POPLA — Parking on Private Land Appeals — which is a free, independent adjudication service.

When Euro Car Parks rejects your appeal, they must provide you with a POPLA verification code. You then have 28 days from the rejection to submit your POPLA appeal at popla.co.uk.

Tips for a Strong POPLA Appeal

• Clearly lay out your arguments — do not simply repeat what you said before
• Include all evidence: photographs, receipts, screenshots, correspondence
• Reference the BPA Code of Practice where applicable
• Reference PoFA 2012 if the notice was issued late or incorrectly
• Keep your appeal factual and professional — avoid emotional language
• POPLA recommends not using copy-and-paste templates, so personalise your appeal to your specific situation

What If POPLA Also Rejects My Appeal?

If POPLA rejects your appeal, your remaining options are limited but not exhausted:

• Pay the charge to avoid further escalation
• Wait to see if Euro Car Parks pursues the matter through the small claims court — many do not, especially for smaller amounts
• If they do issue a Letter Before Claim or court papers, seek advice immediately from Citizens Advice or a solicitor

Parking Cowboys can help you draft a court defence if matters do escalate — do not panic if you receive legal-sounding letters. Most are designed to intimidate rather than indicate genuine legal action.

Euro Car Parks Contact Details

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Euro Car Parks take me to court?

Yes, but it is relatively rare for smaller charges. If they do pursue court action, you will receive a formal Letter Before Claim first. Always respond to court papers — ignoring them risks a default County Court Judgment (CCJ) against you.

Do I have to tell Euro Car Parks who was driving?

No. You are not legally required to name the driver. If you choose not to, Euro Car Parks must pursue the registered keeper under PoFA 2012, which has strict procedural requirements that they must meet.

Will a Euro Car Parks PCN affect my credit score?

No — a parking charge notice itself will not affect your credit rating. Only a County Court Judgment (CCJ), if unpaid, could potentially affect your credit file.

What is the difference between a PCN and a fine?

A PCN from a private company like Euro Car Parks is a civil invoice — not a criminal fine. It carries no points on your licence and no criminal record. Only council-issued PCNs or police-issued Fixed Penalty Notices are statutory fines with legal enforcement powers.

Summary: Your Action Plan

1. Check your PCN for errors — date, reg, 14-day rule
2. Decide whether to appeal as driver or keeper
3. Submit your appeal to Euro Car Parks within 28 days
4. If rejected, request your POPLA verification code
5. Submit a personalised appeal to POPLA within 28 days of rejection

If all else fails, seek advice before paying or ignoring court papers

How can Parking Cowboys help?

If you’ve received a ticket

1. Understand what private parking tickets are
2. Find out about appeals, and in particular about the POPLA service
3. Learn how to fight back with our essential guide

If you’ve received a court claim

1. Understand how they can be legally enforced in county court
2. Learn about County Court Judgements and the risk is to your credit file
3. Consider using our legal service partner, JustAnswer. Click here to make a no-obligation enquiry

Best of luck – we’ll help you through this!