Should I Pay or Appeal Excel Parking Fine? Know Your Rights

Have you received a parking fine from Excel Parking? You’re not alone. Each month, over 32,000 people come to this site for advice on tickets and fines. It can seem scary and confusing, but there’s no need to panic.

In this article, we’ll give you clear guidance on:

• Who Excel Parking is and why you might get a fine from them.
• How Excel Parking knows where to send their parking fine.
• What happens if you don’t pay an Excel Parking fine.
• The process for appealing an Excel Parking fine.
• The possible outcomes if Excel Parking rejects your appeal.

Our team has offered guidance to many people in your shoes, so we understand how it feels to get a parking fine, and we’re here to help. So, take a deep breath, and let’s learn how you can deal with your Excel Parking fine.

Why would you get an Excel parking fine?

You likely get an Excel Parking fine because you didn’t follow their Terms and Conditions. For example, the operator must indicate their ‘rules’ for using a car park on signs at entrances. Moreover, you’re supposed to familiarise yourself with the T&Cs before parking.

I’ve listed a few of the things that could earn you a parking charge notice from Excel Parking here:

• You parked badly across two bays
• You didn’t pay the appropriate fee to park
• You left your vehicle in a bay reserved for the disabled or for families with children
• You overstayed the amount of time you paid for

You could find the parking fine on your windscreen. Or it could be handed to you if the car park is manned. However, the Parking Charge could arrive in the post if the infringement was recorded on CCTV or ANPR.

How much would an Excel Parking fine set you back?

A private car park management company like Excel Parking could charge you up to £100. But, as an encouragement to pay early, the operator should discount the amount by 40%. So, for example, if you pay within fourteen dates of the date of issue, you pay less!

The good news is that a cap is to be introduced in 2023. It means private operators will no longer be able to charge more than £50 for a violation. Although it’ll depend on the seriousness of the infringement and where it happened. 

Operators must still offer you a discounted fine when you pay within two weeks when the new cap is introduced.

Should you pay an Excel Parking fine straight away?

The one advantage of paying an Excel Parking fine straight away is that you get to pay a discounted amount.

Up to 40% less, in fact.

But before paying, you should check:

• Is the parking charge in your name? Mistakes happen, and it’s always a good idea to check the details of the parking fine
• Were you given a grace period before the parking charge was served?
• Did you own the vehicle when the parking charge was issued?
• Was the parking fine served correctly?

Don’t pay the parking charge until you know all the above. You’d be better off challenging the fine within two weeks, which gains you some time. Plus, Excel Parking can’t chase you for payment until a decision is made about your appeal.

Moreover, when you pay within two weeks, and the operator rejects your appeal, you could still pay the lesser fine!

Can you appeal an Excel Parking fine?

Yes, you can appeal an Excel Parking fine. However, you should follow the operator’s appeal process when you have a valid reason for having the charge cancelled.

You have 28 days to lodge an appeal in writing. But as previously mentioned, everything goes on hold when you challenge the charge within two weeks. Plus, you get to pay a discounted fine if your appeal is rejected!

It could take Excel Parking up to 56 days to decide whether to uphold or reject your appeal!

What excuses could you use for Excel Parking to cancel the fine?

There are several excuses you could use to challenge a parking charge. But, first, make sure you have proof to justify your excuse. The operator won’t consider your appeal to cancel the parking charge without evidence.

I’ve listed some reasons why the operator should cancel a charge:

• You parked correctly according to the operator’s rules
• You weren’t given a 10-minute grace period before the operator served the fine
• The parking charge arrived over two weeks after the alleged infringement happened
• You weren’t the owner of the vehicle when the parking charge was issued
• The parking fine arrived in the post, but there were no signs indicating there was CCTV in the car park

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How to avoid paying Excel parking tickets

If you want to avoid paying a Excel parking ticket then you’ll need an airtight appeal.

The best way to perfect your appeal is getting a little advice from a Solicitor. I’d 100% recommend spending a fiver to get a trial of JustAnswer.

You can explain your situation in their chat and they’ll connect you with a Solicitor who can advise you and give you the best chance to win your appeal.

Click here to get the trial offer with JustAnswer.

What if you don’t pay an Excel Parking fine?

Excel Parking may take out court action against you. But first, you’ll get payment reminders followed by a threat of litigation. Moreover, the operator could ask a debt collector to chase you for the payment.

If you don’t pay the fine even when you’re sent reminders, court action could ensue. Excel Parking could instigate the proceedings, or maybe the debt collector is instructed to.

If you still don’t pay, respond, or defend yourself, a County Court Judgement (CCJ) could be registered against you. In addition, a CCJ will negatively impact your credit history, making it harder to get a loan or take out a mortgage or credit card.