Euro car parks 'major keying error' fine

Younglu

I paid the correct charge to park at a Euro carparks carpark in May 2026 but then received a PCN. I provided bank evidence of the date and time of my payment. They said it was a 'major keying error and `i could pay a reduced fine of £20 within 14 days. I did not because I had no evidence that the error was mine and thought it was unreasonable to pay a further £20 when I'd aready paid to park in full.My appeal to POPLA was not upheld, they said I have no evidence that the payment machine is faulty.

I'm an OAP and really stressed by this but also furious that the company appear to be so utterly unreasonable. Their approach is intimidating, saying for example that by appealing I forfeit the chance to pay the £20, by giving such a short window to pay. They have my parking fee - isn't that enough?

I now have to pay £100 or wait to see what they do next. Any advice on whether I should let them proceed to court? What are my chances of winning?

Nellymoser

You have great chances of winning. Claimants like to discontinue defended court claims before the hearing fees are due to be paid. Read the thread below and NEWBIES Announcement thread POST 4 - Debt Letters and POST 2 - Small Claim.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6664613/euro-car-parks-and-dcb-legal-discontinuance

Coupon-mad

100% win awaits you!

Euro Car Parks use DCB Legal for Claims and ALL DEFENDED CASES are discontinued.

No hearings, no CCJ risked, no costs at all. And we have a template defence here so it could not be easier. No worries.

Totally with you that the £20 is an unfair rip-off used by ECP as a numbers game to maximise profits. Why accept £2 from drivers if you can morph that to £22 in LOTS of cases by skewing your keypad system to mislead and misdirect the user, negligently or deliberately?!

Have you seen Lynda Eagan's video in the BBC article about machines that cause keying errors?

Here it is, watch the video:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdeln2ly1z0o

This isn't caused by a driver error, as you suspected, it's a scam set up.

It is commonly seen with Euro Car Parks (ECP) and also Excel Parking Services and a few others, who use old machines and ECP know full well what's actually going on, look:

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/i-d-rather-go-to-prison-than-pay-140-euro-car-parks-fine-320781/

Read this similar thread. Here's how to fight back by showing your evidence, PCN and other links to the consumer protection law Regulator.

You'll be pushing against an open door because ECP are the first firm the CMA has opened a consumer protection investigation into, RIGHT NOW:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82103186#Comment_82103186

Be aware your report to the CMA is purely to assist their consumer protection case, with real evidence. Include Lynda's video and Kent Online's shocking FOI numbers they uncovered.

The CMA won't reply and can't get involved in your case but if you cc in (or separately tell your MP all about this), your MP can help you!

Younglu

Thanks for your encouraging and hepful replies. I'm really struggling to find the NEWBIES threads that you refer to. Is there an easy way to go straight to them?

Nellymoser

Yes, instructions are given at bottom of Coupon-mad posts….

CLICK at the top or bottom of any page where it says: Home> Motoring> Parking Tickets Fines & Parking -read the NEWBIES THREAD

Look for the white oblong box with Parking tickets, fines & parking in it. A click on the box always takes you back to page 1, announcement threads are pinned at top.

Coupon-mad

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82110159#Comment_82110159

Really? You posted under my signature…!