Are faulty ticket machines leading to unfair parking fines?

Nobody enjoys getting a parking fine, but it’s especially frustrating when you’ve done everything right, only to find out that a faulty ticket machine has other ideas. Unfortunately, it’s something that’s becoming all too common across England, where thousands of drivers are being hit with fines of up to £170… even when they’ve paid to park.

At Intack Self Drive, we’re all about helping you stay safe and stress-free on the road, whether you’re hiring a car for the day or on a more long-term basis with our flexi hire service. That’s why we keep you up to speed with the latest driving news and issues that could affect you, like the rise in unfair parking fines linked to dodgy ticket machines.

So what’s going wrong? And is there anything you can do to avoid falling into the same trap? Let’s take a closer look.

‘Sticky keys’ and faulty machines

In many private car parks, the machines require you to put in your registration number before issuing you a ticket. This is often cross-checked using ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras, and if the system doesn’t find a match, a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) is automatically issued.

That’s all well and good when everything’s working properly, but some machines have “sticky keys” or other faults that cause them to record incorrect digits, even if you’ve entered everything perfectly. Which results in a fine through the post days later, leaving you scratching your head and wondering what went wrong.

Are drivers being set up to fail?

Campaigners like Lynda Eagan, who runs a 47,000-strong advice group on Facebook, believe that some of these machines aren’t just faulty, they’re borderline unfair. In fact, some private parking machines are designed so that you have to enter your number plate before making payment. If you don’t do it exactly right – or if the machine messes it up – you could be penalised even if the money goes through. It’s little surprise, then, that so many people are calling the current setup unfit for purpose.

41,000 PCNs a day – and not all of them are fair

According to recent figures from the RAC Foundation and PA Media, private firms are dishing out an astonishing 41,000 parking charge notices every single day across Britain. Many of these are automated, triggered by mismatches between registration input and camera footage, regardless of whether it was a machine error.

Some drivers have provided proof of payment, only to be chased with multiple letters, legal threats, and in some cases, court claims. In one case, a motorist was pursued for over £11,000 worth of fines. It was ultimately dropped, but only after a long and stressful battle.

Calls for better protection for drivers

Both the RAC and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander have backed calls for a new, government-backed code of practice to regulate private parking firms more closely. A previous code, introduced to make fines fairer and appeals simpler, was withdrawn in 2022 following a legal challenge by the parking industry.

Campaigners want better oversight, improved machine reliability, and more consistent standards across the board, especially when drivers are being penalised for problems beyond their control.

What can you do if you get a PCN?

If you've received a fine and think it's unfair, especially if you know you've paid to park and followed the rules, don't ignore it. Also, don't feel pressured to pay it straight away. There are steps you can take to challenge a PCN and have it cancelled if it was issued unfairly due to a machine fault or system error.

Before doing anything else, it's worth gathering as much evidence as possible to support your case. That way, you're in a stronger position when it comes to making an appeal. Here are a few things that can help:

• Check your payment records – a bank statement, email confirmation, or receipt can help prove you paid the correct amount for parking.
• Gather evidence – if you had an issue with the machine or app, try to document it. Photos, screenshots, or even a written description can support your claim.
• Appeal promptly – don't delay your response if you don't have to. Use the appeal process outlined on the PCN and explain clearly what went wrong and why the fine shouldn't apply.
• Get support – there are Facebook groups, online forums, and consumer rights websites where other drivers share advice and success stories. You can get advice and support there.

If you've been issued multiple PCNs or feel you're being unfairly targeted at a particular car park, you could also contact your local MP to raise concerns. Many of these cases show the need for better regulation, and the more people who speak up, the more likely we are to see change.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on how things develop, especially as more people speak up and call for change. In the meantime, being aware of the risks, knowing your rights, and keeping hold of your receipts can go a long way. Because whether you’re heading out on a big trip or just popping to the shops, you deserve to park without worrying about being unfairly fined.