Skip to content
BullsNextParking Help
New rules 2026

Parking charge appeal: breakdown, illness, childcare or a broken machine

By Parking Help team · Updated · 6 min read

WhatsAppXFacebook
A broken-down car with its bonnet open

Quick answer

Parking charge appeal: breakdown, illness or another reason outside your control? Today, explain what happened in two or three sentences and send evidence — companies can cancel, but don't have to. Under the new Code (not yet in force), charges should be cancelled on appeal in these situations, including childcare delays, a broken payment machine with no alternative, and being physically unable to leave in time.

Your deadline in 10 seconds

Enter the date and your deadline appears here instantly.

Get your full result and free letter →
On this page

Situations and the evidence that helps

What happenedEvidence to send
The car broke downA recovery or garage receipt, or a breakdown service reference
You or a passenger became illA note from a doctor or pharmacy, or anything showing what happened
A medical appointment overranAn appointment letter or a note of when you were seen — see hospital parking charge appeal
Childcare delaysA short explanation; a message from the school or nursery if you have one
The payment machine was brokenA photo of the machine and the time; proof you tried another way to pay
You couldn't get out in timePhotos of a queue, a blocked exit or a barrier fault

Keep it short and factual. You don't need to share more personal detail than the evidence needs, and you can cover parts of documents that aren't relevant.

How to appeal today

Worked example
  • Letter dated: Thursday 29 October 2026
  • Counts as delivered: Monday 2 November 2026
  • Appeal to the company by: Monday 30 November 2026

  1. Step 1: Say what happened

    Two or three sentences, with the date and time.

  2. Step 2: Attach evidence

    One or two clear documents beat a long letter.

  3. Step 3: Add any other points

    For example a late notice to keeper, or a short overstay within the parking grace period.

  4. Step 4: Use the independent appeal if needed

    If the company says no, appeal to POPLA or the IAS with the code in its letter.

What to write

Good to know

Example wording (only if it's true for you)

On [date], the vehicle broke down in the car park at about [time] and could not be moved until the recovery service arrived at [time]. I enclose the recovery receipt. I ask you to cancel this charge.

Swap in what actually happened. Keep it to the facts you can show, and don't add anything you're unsure about. If more than one reason applies — for example illness and a queue to leave — mention both briefly, each with its evidence.

Ask the business as well

If you were at a shop, gym, surgery or hospital, the business can often ask its parking company to cancel a charge — especially where something went wrong on its own site, like a broken machine or a blocked exit. Ask in writing and appeal to the parking company at the same time, so you don't miss the deadline.

What the new Code says (not yet in force)

The government's response lists circumstances where charges should be cancelled on appeal. They include:

  • The vehicle has broken down.
  • The driver or a passenger suffers the onset of illness.
  • The driver or a passenger is delayed by an overrunning medical appointment.
  • The driver is delayed by childcare arrangements.
  • One or more payment machines were out of action and there was no reasonable alternative way to pay.
  • The driver paid but made a minor keying error.
  • The driver was physically unable to leave the car park in time — a new appeal ground.

Today vs when the new Code starts

TodayWhen the new Code starts
Breakdown, illness, overrunning appointmentCompany may cancel — at its discretionShould be cancelled on appeal
Childcare delaysCompany may cancel — at its discretionShould be cancelled on appeal
Broken payment machineAppeal with evidenceCancelled if no reasonable alternative to pay
Unable to leave in timeAppeal with evidenceNew appeal ground

See the new private parking code of practice 2026 for everything else that's changing. Last checked against GOV.UK: Monday 2 November 2026.

This is self-help information, not legal advice. You don't have to say who was driving, but never say anything untrue. Examples on this page are illustrative and based on typical situations, not real cases.

Frequently asked questions

Will my charge be cancelled if my car broke down?

Today it's at the company's discretion, so send evidence. Under the new Code (not yet in force), breakdown is listed for cancellation on appeal.

What evidence do I need for illness?

Anything that shows what happened, such as a doctor's or pharmacy note. You don't need to share more detail than necessary.

The pay machine was broken and I couldn't pay. What now?

Send a photo and the time, and say what other ways to pay you tried. Under the new Code, this is listed for cancellation where there was no reasonable alternative.

My hospital appointment ran late. Where do I start?

Contact the hospital's PALS team and appeal to the company at the same time. See our hospital parking guide.

Do these new rules apply to my charge now?

No. The new Code isn't in force yet. Use today's appeal routes and send evidence.

What if I don't have any evidence?

Explain what happened anyway, as clearly and briefly as you can. Evidence helps, but an honest account can still be considered.

Sources

This is a free self-help guide, not legal advice. Check your own letters and dates. If you're unsure, get free advice from Citizens Advice. Written by the Parking Help team.

Related guides