Euro Car Parks - Vehicle Registration Entered Incorrectly

DistortedVision

Yesterday I parked at the car park at a car park operated by Euro Car Parks . We did not initially purchase a parking ticket as we thought we only needed to park for less than the 30 minute free period. 

I purchased a ticket before the end of the 30 minute period but the vehicle registration was entered incorrectly as with just the first character instead of the full registration. I took photos of my car parked and of the windscreen with the ticket displayed. I've also kept the ticket and receipt.

I see there is a form on Euro Car Parks' website. Should I contact them first to avoid receiving a fine. What are my legal rights?

fisherjim

You cannot get a "fine" from a private parking company only a speculative invoice claiming you entered into a contract for a service they provided based on signage on site.

Wait for the notice to keeper a major keying error would be seen off with a £20 charge stipulated by the joint COP, (appendix f3) but they won't tell you that as they are scammers.

Nellymoser

Many drivers have reported problems with ECP machines when attempting to enter their VRM.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/thousands-sent-demands-170-because-051102423.html

Coupon-mad

Nellymoser said:

Many drivers have reported problems with ECP machines when attempting to enter their VRM.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/thousands-sent-demands-170-because-051102423.html

Yep, they take only the first letter. There's even a video with FB ticket-fighter Lynda Eagan showing what the machine does. 

You will never pay this, @DistortedVision.

DistortedVision

I was 100% sure I entered the vehicle registration correctly. So glad I saw that Yahoo News link. I'm wondering if Euro Car Parks are doing it deliberate as a method of revenue generation. It is unscrupulous and surely illegal.

Coupon-mad

DistortedVision said:

I was 100% sure I entered the vehicle registration correctly. So glad I saw that Yahoo News link. I'm wondering if Euro Car Parks are doing it deliberate as a method of revenue generation. It is unscrupulous and surely illegal.

Lots of press articles about this in April. Watch the video with Lynda showing how it happens with these machines.

Nellymoser

And of course the DVLA were happy to pass (sell for £2.50) your name and address to ECP because they are a member of a DVLA Accredited Trade Association.

For over a decade many individuals, groups and MPs have been calling for motorists to be protected from the private parking industry appalling practices. Tomorrow MPs will debate it once again. I think the faulty machine topic will get a good airing.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81405476/#Comment_81405476

DistortedVision

Received the PCN from Euro Car Parks in this morning's post.

This is my appeal:

"I wish to appeal the Parking Charge Notice: 88889720XXX

I entered the Green Oaks Shopping Centre car park at 14:37. 

After 20 minutes I realised I was going to stay for longer than the initial 30 minute free parking period. I purchased a ticket making the correct payment of £2.00 at 14:56, 19 minutes after entering the car park and within the free parking period. I correctly entered my vehicle registration number: PXXX XXX but I noticed that it only printed the first letter on the ticket. I took photos of my parked car and contacted Euro Car Parks through your website on 4th May. 

The BPA Code of Practice, specifically in version 9 section 17, addresses keying errors in private parking systems:

https://www.britishparking.co.uk/write/Documents/AOS/AOS_Code_of_Practice_January_2020_v8(2).pdf

I have contacted my local MP, Derek Twigg Member of Parliament for Halton: Case Ref: DT40XXX

He shall be contacted you in due course.

The parking charge is without valid basis. I will defend any claim brought against me in small claims court."

Can any of you more experience than me in dealing with these matters make any suggestions to revise my statement.

Thanks.

Coupon-mad

Looks fine. You'll never pay.

KeithP

"I entered the Green Oaks Shopping Centre..."

That sentence, and others, in your proposed appeal clearly tell the parking company who was driving.
Are you happy with that?

DistortedVision

Aim Land Limited is the landowner of Greenoaks Shopping Centre. Should I write to them to ask them to instruct Euro Car Parks to desist?