I think I may of screwed up....!

[Deleted User]

I reckon this is a runner. As a starter, UK registrations have never permitted more than 7 characters, so their software should not have permitted the driver to press enter/to complete those details without review.

We need better images of the signage, but I cannot read the terms referring to registrations which are in a much smaller font. That would be helpful.

It remains highly opportunistic/undesirable for CEL in the face of no loss at all to ask the Court for £100 when they have to concede a ticket was purchased.

There is no loss - no overstay nor non payment. The penalty rule must therefore be engaged (as it was in Beavis).

Yet here I struggle to see commercial justification, as they have been paid. (An advertised £10 admin fee to manually marry up similar registration/ticket with ANPR would be more sustainable).

The argument that this is an unconscionable penalty may well fly, but you need to be aware that each case is fact specific.

As an aside, it may also be worth noting that when human factors studies show that humans make up to 6 errors per hour, there is potential for CEL to be claiming a lot of fines for breach of contract where there has in fact been substantial compliance.