If you have recently received a parking charge notice from Euro Car Parks, you are not alone. And more importantly, you might not have to pay it.
On 15 July 2026, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)—the UK's primary competition and consumer protection watchdog—announced a formal investigation into Euro Car Parks (ECP) over suspected breaches of consumer protection law [1].
This is a massive development in the fight against unfair private parking practices. For years, motorists have complained that the appeals process is rigged and the charges are punitive. Now, the regulator is stepping in.
Here is exactly what the CMA is investigating, why it matters, and what you should do if you are currently fighting a Euro Car Parks ticket.
What is the CMA Investigating?
The CMA's investigation is focusing on two specific areas of Euro Car Parks' business practices:
1. The "Petrol Forecourt" Trap
The CMA is examining whether it is fair for ECP to issue parking charges to drivers who are simply queuing for, or using, petrol pumps and other forecourt services like car washes.
This has been a major source of frustration for drivers. ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras record a vehicle entering and exiting a petrol station. If there is a queue for the pumps, or if a driver stops to use the air/water facilities, the cameras register a "stay" that exceeds the maximum permitted time (often just 15 or 20 minutes). The driver then receives a £100 invoice in the post, despite never actually parking in a bay.
2. The Appeals Process
Crucially, the CMA is also investigating ECP's wider appeals processes across both petrol stations and standard car parks.
The regulator is looking into whether ECP's handling of appeals breaches consumer protection law. Emma Cochrane, the CMA's Executive Director of Consumer Protection, stated: "Parking companies must treat motorists fairly at all stages – and a clear and consistent appeals process must be at the heart of this. It’s time for all private parking operators to comply with consumer law or risk action from the CMA" [2].
Why This Matters for Your Ticket
The private parking industry relies on the perception of unassailable legal authority. When you receive a letter demanding £100, it is designed to look like an official fine that cannot be challenged.
The CMA investigation shatters that illusion. It is a formal acknowledgment by the UK government's consumer watchdog that one of the largest operators in the country may be operating an unfair and potentially unlawful appeals system.
If you are currently appealing a Euro Car Parks ticket, this investigation is a powerful piece of leverage. While the CMA has not yet reached a conclusion (the investigation is in the evidence-gathering stage and will run until Spring 2027), the fact that their appeals process is under active regulatory scrutiny undermines ECP's credibility.
What You Should Do Now
If you have a Euro Car Parks ticket sitting on your kitchen counter, here is your playbook:
1. Do Not Pay It "Just in Case"
Paying the charge is an admission of liability. Once you pay, the case is closed, and you will not get your money back, regardless of what the CMA eventually concludes.
2. Do Not Ignore It
Ignoring a private parking ticket is dangerous. ECP is known to escalate unpaid charges to debt collectors (like MIL Collections) and bulk-claim solicitors (like BW Legal), who will issue County Court claims. If you ignore court papers, you risk a default CCJ.
3. Appeal as the Registered Keeper
If the ticket was issued via ANPR cameras (which is how ECP operates on petrol forecourts), do not admit who was driving. Appeal as the Registered Keeper and force ECP to prove they have complied with the strict requirements of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (POFA).
4. Cite the CMA Investigation
In your appeal to ECP, and subsequently to POPLA (the independent appeals service), explicitly reference the ongoing CMA investigation. State that you believe the charge is unfair and that ECP's appeals process is currently under regulatory scrutiny for suspected breaches of consumer protection law.
The Bigger Picture
The CMA's action against Euro Car Parks is part of a broader crackdown on the private parking sector. The regulator has also written an open letter to all private parking operators, warning them to review their terms and conditions and ensure they are complying with consumer law [3].
This is a turning point. The days of operators issuing millions of automated tickets and relying on an opaque, internal appeals process to enforce them are coming to an end.
If you need help fighting a Euro Car Parks ticket, don’t do it alone. Revenger is the guided system that uses your legal rights to hit private parking operators where it hurts — their profits. We guide you through the appeals, the legal arguments, and the deadlines — and show you exactly what each step costs them on our live Cost-to-Operator scoreboard.
For £5 — the Satisfaction Fee — you get the full guided system. It’s not just about saving £100. It’s about the satisfaction of knowing you cost them £200 in the process.
Revenge is best sent cold.
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References
[1] Competition and Markets Authority, "Euro Car Parks: consumer protection enforcement case," GOV.UK, 16 July 2026. Available: https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/euro-car-parks-consumer-protection-enforcement-case
[2] Competition and Markets Authority, "Parking charges: CMA takes action to drive improvements for motorists," GOV.UK, 16 July 2026. Available: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/parking-charges-cma-takes-action-to-drive-improvements-for-motorists
[3] Competition and Markets Authority, "Open letter to the private parking sector," GOV.UK, 16 July 2026. Available: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/open-letter-to-the-private-parking-sector
