Woman Wins £10,240 vs Excel Parking: How to Fight Back and Win

Getting a parking letter from Excel Parking can feel stressful — especially if you already paid for your ticket.

The good news? You don’t always have to pay. One young woman proved Excel’s greedy “five-minute rule” was unfair — and she beat them in court twice.

🚨 Excel’s “Five-Minute Rule” — Why It’s Unfair

Excel Parking told drivers they had to buy a ticket within five minutes of driving into the car park.

But in real life, that’s not always possible:

• There might be no phone signal for app payments 📱

• Payment machines with long queues 🚶‍♂️

• Slow or broken systems 💳

Even if you did pay, Excel still sent letters saying you owed money if it took longer than five minutes.

The government has now banned this rule, calling it unfair. But Excel is still chasing people for tickets given out before the ban.

👩‍⚖️ Hannah’s £11,390 Battle — and Her Win (April 2025)

Excel Parking Ticket

• April 2025: Hannah Robinson, aged 21, was taken to court by Excel. They wanted her to pay £11,390 for 67 parking tickets — even though she always paid to park.

• The judge said Excel’s “five-minute rule” was “inherently preposterous” and unfair.

• Excel lost and was ordered to pay £10,240 to charity.

• They tried to appeal — and lost again.

💬 Hannah said:

“I hope this helps others to not let Excel win and don’t give in to them.”

🙅 She’s Not the Only One

Hannah’s case is not unusual.

• In December 2024, dad Garry Kay was taken to court by Excel for £255. After 14 stressful months, Excel suddenly dropped the case before the hearing.

• MPs have called Excel’s “five-minute rule” a “rip-off” and unfair.

• Campaigners say Excel still tries to scare drivers into paying, even when they’ve done nothing wrong.

The truth is simple: Excel doesn’t always win. Don't let them bully you.

⚖️ 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 Any 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 should appeal directly through the Excel parking website — you usually have 28 days.

• Go to the appeal section on their website

• Enter your ticket 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: Take It 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? Resolvo Will 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 just under 2 minutes.

What Resolvo does:

• Asks you a few simple questions

• Uses UK parking regulations to understand your case

• Writes a clear, structured appeal letter

• 100% free — no forms, no request for card details and stress free

Start your Excel Parking appeal now with Resolvo