How I Beat a Private Parking Company in Court and Got Paid £100 Instead

mauroicardi · 29 October at 3:36PM

Most people just pay when they get a private parking charge. The letters look official. The language is intimidating. The legal process seems overwhelming.

But I didn’t pay.

In 2025, I was pursued for £908 by X Parking Services. Their claims escalated from ignored appeals to debt collectors, then solicitors, and finally the county court.

I fought back on my own.
Both claims dropped
£0 paid
£100 paid to me

This is my story and why I believe private parking enforcement in the UK is broken.

The Beginning: A Loyal Customer

For over two years, I parked daily at the same car Park in Stockport. I paid the daily £3.70 via their Connect app or card machine.

Then, two incidents triggered a legal nightmare.

Case 1: Their app and machine both failed for two consecutive days. I had no cash. I appealed rejected. £454 claim issued.
Case 2: I paid for the wrong family car. They suffered no loss. Another £454 claim.

Why It’s So Different from Council Parking

Local authorities:

£50–60 penalty,
50% discount if paid quickly,
Genuine appeal process.

Private parking companies:

£100 charges inflated to £170,
Debt recovery threats,
Solicitors,
County court claims.

The system is designed to make you give up.

Building My Defence

I decided to fight:

Filed my defence (and a £500 counterclaim for distress in Case 1).
Compiled:
- One year of parking receipts,
- Psychiatric reports,
- Debt collector letters,
- Legal references.
Cited key laws:
- Consumer Rights Act 2015
- Excel Parking v Wilkinson (2020) — £70 uplifts are unlawful
- Data Protection Act 2018
- Protection from Harassment Act 1997
Argued X Parking Services can’t avoid liability by blaming “third-party apps”.

The Turning Point

As hearings approached, X Parking Service’s solicitors offered settlement. I refused to pay.

Finally:

They filed N279 Notices of Discontinuance for both claims,
Agreed to pay me £100,
Confirmed both cases were closed with no admission of liability.

I withdrew my counterclaim only after payment and formal discontinuance.

What This Taught Me

Many private parking claims can’t survive scrutiny.
Their extra £70 fees are not enforceable.
Debt letters are tactics, not judgments.
With preparation, individuals can win.

This isn’t about dodging legitimate parking charges. It’s about challenging abuse.

Why I’m Going Public

Thousands of people in the UK face similar claims and pay out of fear. If more people stand up to these practices, the business model stops working.

If you’re facing a private parking charge:

Don’t panic,
Keep everything in writing,
Learn your rights,
Get help if you need it,
And don’t be bullied.

Disclaimer: This is my personal experience, not legal advice. If you’re facing similar issues, research or seek professional support.

Both claims dropped
£0 paid
£100 received

Sometimes, persistence wins. I’m sharing this to help others not to encourage ignoring legitimate charges, but to push back against abusive practices.