Got an Excel Parking Fine? Here’s How to Fight and Beat It

Have you just received a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) from Excel Parking? You’re not alone — and you might not have to pay. Drivers across the UK are calling Excel’s fines unfair, especially when they're based on technicalities like a delay in paying.

In fact, some cases have reached court — and been dropped after public backlash. Here’s what you need to know if you've been hit with a fine from Excel Parking, and how Resolvo can help you challenge it.

Appeal your Excel Parking fine with Resolvo in just 2 minutes - it's completely free

Who Are Excel Parking?

Excel Parking are a private parking enforcement company that operate car parks at retail parks, leisure centres, and private land across the UK.

According to Companies House, Excel Parking made £18 million in revenue and £5.5 million in profit from parking fines in 2024. That’s millions of pounds taken from drivers every year—often through fines that are unfair and unnecessary.

They use ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) and issue PCNs by post when they believe a driver has:

Overstayed the allowed time
Failed to pay within a short window (often just 5 minutes)
Entered and exited without payment
Parked without a valid permit

📣 Excel Parking’s “Five-Minute Fine” Scandal: Drivers Fight Back Against Unfair Charges

A recent high-profile case put Excel Parking questionable practices in the spotlight:

A woman in Leicestershire received 10 separate tickets from Excel Parking for taking more than 5 minutes to pay after parking in Derby’s Copeland Street car park. One court claim totalled £1,906.

But after media coverage and an MP calling the rule a "five-minute rip-off charge," Excel dropped the claim without explanation.

Another driver, Garry Kay, also had his case dropped shortly before court.

These cases highlight just how harsh — and potentially unfair — Excel’s rules can be.

"Don't give in to the car park bullies." — Rosey Hudson, driver threatened with £1,906 claim

⚖️ Are Excel Parking Fines Enforceable?

Not automatically. Excel’s fines are based on contract law, which means:

Signs must be clear and visible
Terms must be fair and prominently displayed
You must have genuinely broken the terms

If you didn’t know the rules, the signs were hidden, or you paid (even late), you may have a strong appeal case.

🚫 What Happens If You Ignore It?

Ignoring an Excel PCN could lead to:

Debt collector letters
Legal threats
Small claims court

In some cases, Excel may proceed with court action. But in many cases can be dropped once challenged. Never ignore — always appeal or respond.

How to Appeal an Excel Parking Fine

Step 1: Check the Fine for Mistakes

Look for errors like:

Wrong registration number
Incorrect time or date
No grace period (you’re usually allowed 10 minutes)
Signs that were hidden, blocked or missing
A valid payment that wasn’t logged
Delays caused by medical or emergency situations

Step 2: Gather Your Evidence

To back your case, include:

Payment confirmation or screenshots from the app
Photos of signs or machines
Copies of medical documents (if applicable)
Witness statements
Evidence of a valid permit or booking

Step 3: Submit the Appeal to Excel Parking

You can appeal directly through the Excel parking website — you usually have 28 days.

Go to their appeals website
Enter your PCN number and vehicle reg, upload evidence, and explain your situation clearly.

🚫 Don’t pay before appealing — once you pay, you lose your right to challenge it.

Step 4: Escalate to POPLA (If Rejected)

If Excel Parking rejects your appeal, you can take it to POPLA, the independent appeals service for private parking.

Use the POPLA code in your rejection letter
Submit your POPLA appeal within 28 days
Reuse your evidence and clearly restate your case

🤖 Need Help Writing the Appeal? Let Resolvo Do It

You don’t need to stress over what to write or how to explain your case. Resolvo does the hard work for you — in under 2 minutes.

Here’s how it works:

Tell Resolvo what happened: Just describe your situation in plain English — no legal jargon needed.
Upload your ticket (optional): You can snap a photo of your PCN, and Resolvo will pull out the key details automatically.
Get a winning appeal letter: Resolvo uses artificial intelligence and is trained on the latest UK parking rules to create a strong and wining appeal for you.

Start your Excel Parking appeal now with Resolvo

🔍 FAQs About Excel Parking Fines

1. Is Excel’s 5-minute payment rule legal? It’s controversial. While Excel claims it’s valid, many drivers (and courts) disagree — especially if the system was slow or unclear.

2. Can I appeal if I typed the wrong reg number? Yes. Submit proof of payment and explain the mistake. Honest errors are often forgiven on appeal.

3. What if I didn’t get a ticket on my car? Most Excel fines are sent by post using ANPR. No ticket on the windscreen doesn’t mean you’re safe.

4. Can Excel take me to court? Yes — but they still have to prove their case. Many drivers win or have claims dropped after submitting strong appeals.

5. Can I be fined twice in one day? Yes, if you leave and return, Excel might treat it as a single long stay. This is a flaw in some camera systems — appeal it with proof.

6. What if I paid but the system was slow? Appeal it. Include timestamps, app receipts, and a full explanation. Courts may side with you if the system is unreasonable.

7. Is it worth challenging Excel fines? Absolutely. Many drivers have successfully appealed or won in court. Don’t assume you must pay.

Final Thought: Don’t Let Excel Parking Intimidate You, Fight Back

From payment glitches to poor signage, Excel Parking’s fines aren’t always fair.

If you've been hit with a charge that feels wrong — don’t pay out of fear. Challenge it. Tell your story. Use Resolvo to write a strong appeal — fast, free, and legally sound.

Get your free Excel Parking appeal letter now → Resolvo.uk