UK Regulator Opens Investigation Into Euro Car Parks Over Forecourt Queuing Charges

The Competition and Markets Authority opened an investigation into Euro Car Parks to determine whether parking charges issued to drivers queuing at petrol forecourts are fair. The regulator is also examining the company's broader appeals process for petrol stations and car parks to assess compliance with consumer protection law.

The inquiry is in the evidence-gathering stage and scheduled to continue until Spring 2027.

It forms part of a wider CMA review of private parking operators that has already included an open letter to the sector and warnings to some individual firms about their practices. Euro Car Parks operates more than 3,000 facilities across the UK and Ireland, where more than two million cars park each day.

Motorists have complained to the CMA about unclear signage, faulty apps and broken ticket machines at private car parks.

CMA executive director of consumer protection Emma Cochrane said costs are high and often unexpected, which is difficult when people are budgeting carefully. She added that parking companies must treat motorists fairly at all stages and that a clear and consistent appeals process must be at the heart of this.

The CMA has expressed concerns that some operators handle appeals poorly or attempt to charge additional fees on top of parking charges.

Research by the RAC showed the number of parking tickets issued at gyms, supermarkets, restaurants and retail parks more than doubled in six years to 14.4 million. RAC head of policy Simon Williams described the CMA effort as a major step forward in ensuring drivers are treated fairly by private parking operators.