SIP PCN – Paid (Wrong VRM), Session Confirmed, IAS Lost, Now Reminders Increasing Charge

MPulse

Hi, I need guidance on an SIP Parking Charge where the correct fee was paid but under the wrong VRM.

Summary of the case

• A Parking Charge Notice was issued by SIP after the driver paid the correct tariff, but accidentally entered the VRM of a previous vehicle they used to own.
• ANPR images from the Notice show the actual vehicle entering and leaving normally.
• SIP later confirmed they had located the paid session under the old VRM.

Key details

• SIP is an IPC member.
• Payment was made, but the VRM keyed in was from a previously owned car (a long-term habit error).
• SIP’s own email during their final day of IAS evidence submission confirmed:
  
• they found the paid session under the old VRM
• they acknowledged the error
• they offered to settle the matter for £20, I did not reply to this offer at the time, because I believed responding could weaken my IAS appeal and result in SIP later demanding the full amount again.

IAS Decision: IAS rejected the appeal, stating they can only apply the law of contract and cannot consider mistakes, even if payment was made.

They did not address SIP’s keying-error admission or the £20 offer.

Current situation

• SIP has now sent reminders and a “final reminder” threatening “enforcement or civil action.” and increasing fine on every reminder, final fine amount is £125 and they said pay within 14 days otherwise enforcement or civil action.
• No solicitor involvement yet.

Evidence I have (not uploading, just listing)

• Machine payment record ( Ticket )
• SIP email confirming old-VRM session + £20 offer
• ANPR images from the Notice
• IAS rejection letter
• SIP reminder letters
• Proof of previously owned vehicle
• Previous parking history at that site

Questions for forum experts

1. Should I now simply wait for a Letter Before Claim from a solicitor?
2. Does the IPC Annex F major keying error rule still apply even after an IAS rejection?
3. Does SIP’s written admission (found session + £20 offer) strengthen my defence if it proceeds to court?
4. Should I contact SIP and reply to their reminders or avoid all contact until a formal LBC?
5. How do courts typically view cases where:
   

• payment was made,
• the VRM error was genuine,
• the parking firm acknowledged the session existed?

FINALLY Please also advise honestly: based on the facts, should I continue to challenge this or is payment now the practical route?

Any guidance will be appreciated.

Thank You

Gr1pr

1) yes, correct , except that it will be directly from SIP, not from a solicitor 

2) doesn't matter,  because a judge will look at the whole case

3) only a judge can make that decision,  in court

4) wait for the Letter of Claim 

5) courts vary around the country,  typically known as Judge Bingo,   so it's not black or white 

There is no fine, just an invoice from SIP , a private parking company in Manchester, for an alleged breach of the parking contract on that private property 

Study the official MSE private parking company advice,  endorsed by the founder M.L.

Coupon-mad

Give an address for service for yourself that is north, south, east or far west of the country and SIP won't file a claim. See other threads.

MPulse

From your reply Gr1pr, I understand that my case is strong and that I shouldn't pay, should fight, and not reply until I receive a formal court claim. Can you confirm — if SIP doesn't send a claim letter and just keeps increasing the amount over the years, is there any risk or consequence for me? 

MPulse

Thank you for your advice CM, regarding the address for service — you mentioned giving a distant address. How can I do that properly without causing any issues, considering all previous correspondence (including IAS) has been to my current East Midlands address?

Also advice Based on SIP's previous track record in the East Midlands, how likely is it that they would actually send a court claim for a case like mine? because it looks like a big company

Car1980

SIP like to make court claims themselves, not via a solicitor, but only if you live in the northwest.

So you can either ignore and see if you receive a court claim.

Or give them an updated address for service outside the region to reduce the chances of a court claim.

Or you could send them a cheque marked in full and final settlement for £20 and if they tried to make a claim it would revolve around them having to argue against the code of practice they are obliged to follow.

ChirpyChicken

Wait until you get a letter before claim at this stage
then do that using this link here
https://payment.sipcarparks.co.uk/Statement

Car1980

Doubt that will accept £20 though?

ChirpyChicken

Car1980 said:

Doubt that will accept £20 though?

No in relation to the address for service.

Coupon-mad

ChirpyChicken said:

Car1980 said:

Doubt that will accept £20 though?

No in relation to the address for service.

Quite right! Nobody is suggesting offering money.

Just changing the address for service, as is a Defendant's right, of course.

The OP must have a friend or relative who permanently lives at a reliable postal address well away from SIP's area - who isn't about to move house at the drop of a hat - and who can receive & promptly open all post for the OP and alert them without panicking.

LOL SIP are not a big company! Small/medium firm who do their own court claims but ONLY in their area.

MPulse

Thanks — I understand that I shouldn’t pay right now and will wait. Please advise on the following:

1. If SIP issues a Letter Before Claim (LBC), should I pay at that stage or still wait for an actual court claim before responding/paying?

2. In a UK County Court claim for a small private parking charge, if the Claimant (parking company) is based in one city and the Defendant (registered keeper) lives in another, which location will the hearing most likely be listed at?

3. If I update my address for service to an address in Scotland, and SIP still chooses to proceed with a court claim, should I still fight the case in court based on the strength of my situation? 

4. If I change address to Scotland will there be any change of rules

Lastly, here is the letter I’m planning to send to SIP to update my address for service. Could you please review it and suggest any improvements?

“Please accept this as formal notification that my address for service has changed and update my address for service to: [new address].

Send all future correspondence to only this address.”

Would appreciate your guidance on the above points and any recommendations to improve the letter.