Euro Car Parks Wrong Registration Appeal: How to Cancel Your Fine (2025)
There are few things more frustrating than receiving a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) in the post when you actually paid for parking. You stood at the machine, put your money in (or paid via an app), but made a tiny mistake typing your number plate. Now, Euro Car Parks wants £60 to £100 from you.
If you are reading this because you made a typo, take a deep breath. You are not alone, and more importantly, you have the law on your side.
Entering an incorrect Vehicle Registration Mark (VRM) is known in the industry as a “Keying Error.” Under the strict rules governing private parking companies in the UK, these errors are valid grounds for appeal. You generally do not have to pay the full fine if you can prove you paid for the time used.
This guide will walk you through the Euro Car Parks wrong registration appeal process, explain the difference between “Minor” and “Major” errors, and provide a template you can copy and paste to get that ticket cancelled.
My Professional Advice: Do not ignore the letter. While “ignoring it” was common advice ten years ago, today it can lead to County Court Judgments (CCJs). Deal with it now, and you will likely pay nothing or a very small admin fee.
Understanding “Keying Errors”: The BPA Code of Practice
Euro Car Parks is a member of the British Parking Association (BPA). This is crucial for your case. To operate legally and access DVLA data to send you that letter, they must follow the BPA’s Code of Practice.
They cannot just make up the rules. They are bound by specific clauses regarding “Keying Errors.”
According to the BPA Code of Practice (specifically Section 17 in the Version 8 guidelines), parking operators must recognize that genuine mistakes happen. They are required to have a process in place to deal with these errors fairly rather than treating honest paying customers like criminals.
When you appeal, you aren’t asking for a favour. You are asking them to comply with their own trade body’s regulations.
Minor vs. Major Keying Errors (Know the Difference)
Before you write your appeal, you need to identify which category your mistake falls into. The outcome depends entirely on this distinction.
1. Minor Keying Errors
A minor error occurs when you make a small typo but the car is still identifiable.
-
Examples: You typed “O” instead of “0” (Zero); you missed one letter (e.g., entered
AB1 2CDinstead ofAB12 2CD); or you swapped two characters around. -
The Outcome: If you can provide proof of payment (like a ticket or bank statement), the PCN should be cancelled completely free of charge.
2. Major Keying Errors
A major error is more significant, making it harder for their automated system to match your payment to your car.
-
Examples: You entered your wife’s car registration instead of your own; you only entered the first three digits and stopped; or you made multiple typos.
-
The Outcome: The operator is allowed to charge a modest administrative fee to cover their manual processing costs. This is usually capped at £20. This is significantly better than paying the full £100 charge.
[British Parking Association Code of Practice]
The Golden Rule: Driver vs. Registered Keeper
Here is the most critical strategic advice for your appeal.
In England and Wales, the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (POFA) allows parking companies to hold the “Registered Keeper” liable if they don’t know who the driver was.
However, to protect your legal position, you should always appeal as the Keeper, not the driver.
Warning: Never use phrases like “I drove,” “I parked,” or “I paid.”
Instead, use: “The driver parked,” “The driver paid,” and “I am the Registered Keeper.”
Why does this matter? If Euro Car Parks failed to follow strict technical rules in their “Notice to Keeper” letter, the Keeper cannot be held liable. If you admit you were driving, you throw that legal protection away immediately.
Step-by-Step: How to Appeal a Wrong Registration PCN
Follow this exact workflow to maximize your chances of success.
Step 1: Gather Your Evidence
You need to prove that payment was made for the time the vehicle was in the car park.
-
Physical Ticket: If you still have the display ticket, take a photo of it.
-
Bank Statement: If you paid by card, screenshot the transaction on your banking app. It will show the date, time, and “Euro Car Parks” as the merchant.
Step 2: Do Not Pay the Fine
This is the most common mistake people make. They pay “just to be safe” and then try to appeal later. Do not do this. Once you pay, the case is closed. You are admitting liability, and getting a refund is almost impossible.
Step 3: Use the Online Portal
Euro Car Parks allows appeals via post, but you should always use their website.
-
It is faster.
-
It provides an immediate digital receipt confirming they received your appeal.
-
It stops them from claiming “we never received your letter” later on.
The BPA-Compliant Appeal Template (Copy & Paste)
Use this template for your appeal. It is drafted to be firm, polite, and legally accurate. It specifically cites the BPA Code of Practice to signal that you know your rights.
Instructions:
-
Fill in the bracketed information.
-
Attach your proof of payment (ticket photo or bank screenshot).
-
Select “Registered Keeper” from the drop-down menu on their site.
Re: Appeal against Parking Charge Notice [Insert PCN Number] Vehicle Registration Mark: [Insert Your Actual Reg Number]
To the Appeals Department,
I am the Registered Keeper of the vehicle listed above. I am writing to formally appeal this Parking Charge Notice on the grounds that a genuine payment was made for the parking session, but a “Keying Error” occurred.
The driver paid for parking at the machine/via app at [Insert Time] on [Insert Date]. Please find attached proof of this payment (see attached [Bank Statement/Ticket]).
As Euro Car Parks is a member of the British Parking Association (BPA), you are required to adhere to the BPA Code of Practice. Specifically, Section 17 of the Code regarding “Keying Errors” states that PCNs issued for simple registration entry mistakes should be cancelled or reduced to a minor administrative fee when proof of payment is provided.
The details of the error are as follows:
-
Registration Paid For: [Insert what you typed, e.g., AB12 CDE]
-
Actual Registration: [Insert correct reg, e.g., AB12 CDF]
As you can see, this is a clear Keying Error. The parking tariff was paid in full. There was no financial loss to the landowner.
If this is a “Minor Keying Error” (one character incorrect), I expect the PCN to be cancelled immediately free of charge. If you consider this a “Major Keying Error,” I am prepared to pay the standard administrative fee (maximum £20) to settle the matter, but I will not accept the full Parking Charge.
Please confirm in writing that this charge has been cancelled or amended to the administration fee.
Yours faithfully,
[Your Name] Registered Keeper
What If Euro Car Parks Rejects My Appeal?
Do not panic if you get a rejection letter. Large parking companies often use automated systems that reject first-stage appeals by default, hoping you will get scared and pay.
If they reject you, they are legally required to give you a POPLA code (Parking on Private Land Appeals).
POPLA is an independent service. Their assessors look at the facts, not Euro Car Parks’ profits. If you show POPLA your proof of payment and point out the Keying Error, they almost always rule in favor of the motorist. Euro Car Parks knows this, so they often drop the case before it even gets to the POPLA stage.
FAQs
Can I appeal a parking fine if I got the registration wrong?
Yes. Under the BPA Code of Practice, if you paid for parking but entered the wrong registration, you have valid grounds for appeal. You should not have to pay the full fine.
What is considered a “Major Keying Error” by the BPA?
A Major Keying Error involves significant mistakes, such as entering a completely different car’s registration (like a spouse’s car) or only entering the first few digits. These usually incur a £20 admin fee rather than a full cancellation.
How much is the administrative fee for a keying error?
Currently, the standard administrative fee recommended by the BPA for Major Keying Errors is £20. This covers the operator’s cost of manually fixing the error.
Do Euro Car Parks take you to court for unpaid fines?
They can. If you ignore the ticket and all reminders, they may pass the debt to recovery agents and eventually take you to Small Claims Court. This is why you must appeal rather than ignore it.
How long do I have to appeal a Euro Car Parks PCN?
You typically have 28 days from the date of issue to appeal. However, if you appeal within the first 14 days, the timer usually “pauses,” preserving the discounted rate if you lose.
Is Euro Car Parks a member of the British Parking Association?
Yes, they are an Approved Operator member of the BPA. This means they must follow the BPA Code of Practice, including the rules on keying errors.
What happens if I just ignore the Euro Car Parks letter?
Ignoring it is risky. The fine will increase, debt collectors will begin calling, and you risk a County Court Judgment (CCJ) which destroys your credit rating. Always appeal.
Can I appeal if I lost my parking ticket?
Yes, if you paid by card. Your bank statement acts as proof of purchase. If you paid cash and lost the ticket, it is much harder to prove you paid, but you can still ask them to check their machine logs for a “orphan payment” (a payment not linked to a car).
Summary
Getting a fine for a typo feels unfair because it is unfair. But the system has checks and balances to protect you. By using the Euro Car Parks wrong registration appeal process, you are simply enforcing your rights as a consumer.
Remember: gather your proof of payment, stick to the “Registered Keeper” terminology, and use the template above. In most cases, common sense prevails, and the fine is cancelled.
Ready to fight back? Copy the template above and submit your appeal via the Euro Car Parks portal today.
About the Author
