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Private Parking Charges & Appeals

Can I challenge an old private parking charge that has gone to debt collectors?

You can still dispute liability, but an old charge can be harder to resolve through the operator's normal appeal system once the appeal window has passed.

The Consumer Council has specific guidance for people who first hear about an old PCN through a debt-recovery letter or who ignored earlier correspondence. Debt letters can continue, and the parking operator may decide to issue a Small Claims Court case.

Gather the original notice if you have it, identify the parking event, and work out whether you were the driver. Ask for evidence if the allegation is unclear. If the debt collector has added amounts, request an explanation of what is being claimed.

Do not mistake a debt letter for a court judgment, but do not ignore genuine court papers. If a Small Claims Court claim arrives, respond through the court process even if you previously ignored the parking company.

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Information checked: 25 September 2026
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