Smart Parking Technology Reviews 1,819

I received a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) from Smart Parking Ltd after being on site for only 13 minutes in Costwolds

The payment machine was not working.
Mobile coverage was too poor to pay via app.
I left without parking, yet they still issued a charge.
This is a clear breach of the IPC Code of Practice (grace period and provision of working payment methods).

I have already submitted formal complaints to the DVLA (for misuse of my keeper data) and the IPC regarding this unfair charge.
Drivers should avoid car parks run by Smart Parking Ltd – their business model is based on trapping drivers, not fair parking.

If you cant pay despite trying every available option then leave!

Got a parking fine for going to the Zoo on the isle of wight. Machines not working, App to pay wouldn't register a new account after trying to register multiple times (no verification email), phoned telephone number, nothing but robot saying use app, used live chat but just AI that did nothing to help. Appeal rejected, bloody money grabbers.

I parked a wheelchair adapted vehicle in a hospital car park, but forgot to put the blue badge from the door pocket and on the dashboard. They fined me. I appealed. They acknowledge all my evidence - and still fined me. If they can point to some term of car park usage (made up by them) that you have “contravened”, they will fine you. Because all they care about is generating and collecting fines. Their website makes out they provide a valued service to private car park owners. They don’t. They just prey on the unwary and vulnerable. I don’t know how they sleep at night.

I didn’t get my Ticket quick enough when I drove into the car park as I had to get my three children out and then found out I needed to download an app where I had no signal to download an app which took ( 12 minutes ) from entering the car park to getting three kids out one being baby and downloading an app managing to pay and then found out when I got back home. I had parking fine. I Appealed and got nowhere just haven’t got the time or effort for a company like this. Total scammers hope their company goes bust 🙏

We parked in a car park cowboyed by this company, with an elderly, disabled, visiting relative. We exceeded the Parking time by 13 minutes due to the relative taking longer than expected to make it back to the vehicle. These unsympathetic, nasty individuals rejected our appeal. We felt we had no choice but to pay up as the tone of their correspondence is distinctly threatening and I don't have the time or desire to pursue the matter or go to court, or have people banging on my door for the money. Nasty, nasty company!!

This unethical joke of a company should be shut down! Despite paying over the typical cost for the hours parked, they still charged a £60 fine with no consideration at all to the circumstances involved. Not out of pocket in the slightest, yet rob me of £60! These criminals should be shut down. Crazy that the parking industry is not properly regulated to allow this.

Smart Parking is a disgrace predatory, unethical, and nothing more than a scam operation. They issue £100 fines for minor overstays, ignore fair grace periods, and harass people through debt collectors. Avoid any car park they manage if you value your sanity and money.

This parking company is an absolute disgrace. Total con – they're clearly in the business of ripping people off rather than providing any kind of service. They’re quick to issue unfair fines, but completely uncontactable when you try to dispute or even get basic information. No phone number, no helpful email support, just radio silence.
It's clear they prey on confusion, poor signage, or technicalities to trap people and then make it as hard as possible to challenge them. It’s not just bad customer service — it feels deliberate and dishonest.
If you're thinking of using them, don’t. Save yourself the stress, time, and money. Companies like this shouldn’t be allowed to operate.

This company knows how to rip off the public. They could use pay on exit like others company do to improve their service, but instead chose pay and display so that they can rip off by issuing PCN's. Will avoid using this Smart parking.

My car was parked at the Anlaby retail park, Springfield Way, Anlaby, Hull, 05-09-25. Sadly someone hit my car and just drove off, no note on windscreen from anyone to say they’d witnessed it or regretfully hit my car. I emailed smart parking as soon as I got home hoping they could at least provide number plate details so I could try and find the people responsible, but I haven’t had a reply from them to say either way if they can help me or not, but I know one thing for….if it was their car that had been hit/damaged then they’d be straight on the CCTV to find the person responsible! Very disappointed in this company, heartless, ignorant and uncaring , they quick enough to contact people when money/fines involved!

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to express my profound disappointment and frustration regarding a £60 parking fine I received at the Whitefield Pets at Home car park.
I visited your location under extremely difficult personal circumstances as I needed to have my dogs put to sleep. Due to the nature of the situation, I was present in the car park for over three hours. It is distressing to receive such a fine during what was already one of the worst days of my life.

This is nothing but a criminal enterprise, legitimised by the UK government. I returned to the town I grew up in to spend time caring for my elderly father and visited a pub I used to frequent when living there. I thought the car park was for patrons, so no problem. Over one month later, I received a fine from Smart Parking for parking there for just 45 minutes whilst I enjoyed a drink in familiar surroundings. I saw no signs or warnings. I paid cash, so no proof of purchase. No chance of even attempting an appeal. The UK courts need to shut down these rackets ASAP. I don't know how anyone working for a company like this can sleep at night.

Nothing but a shakedown racket with faulty technology. An initial charge of £100 for supposedly parking without payment/registration. Despite providing proof of parking registration and use of facility Smart Parking deemed that insufficient proof but lowered the charge to a £20 admin. fee. I now take a photo of my confirmed registration on the reception tablet that includes date and time. Or better yet, park on the street.

I parked at South Road Car Park in Brean on 17 May 2020, during Covid. When I arrived, both machines at the entrance had hand-written “Out of Order” signs taped over them. There were no instructions for alternative payment and nothing obvious pointing to other methods. Given that most local car parks had suspended charges at the time, it was reasonable to assume this one had too. Other drivers clearly thought the same.

Five years later, Smart Parking hit me with a CCJ over it. Their “evidence” is photos of signage and machines taken back in 2017 and 2018 – nothing from the actual day, no proof the machines were working, and no service or maintenance logs.

I even offered to pay the original charge at the time, but they refused and pushed for the penalty instead. To me this feels like profiteering, not fair parking management. Chasing people years later with a CCJ for a situation like this is unfair and completely disproportionate.

Avoid this car park.Its a scam,no grace period.Barrier must be take in place and pay the parking ticket when your parked is ended.But this car park is opened and cctv when you entered.Once you enter your time will begin.Not the time on your ticket was calculated.

Big scam only went to see if the diner was opened only there a few minute's
No sign nothing
Company is disgusting con artist

My partner paid for parking with an app but didn't change the default registration number. I received a penalty charge. The company refused my appeal, even though I provided evidence that we had paid. They did not even consider the evidence. So I asked for my parking fee back. They sent a standard response, ignoring what I had written. It's an extortion racket.

Utterly disgusting … fine issued by ANPR no grace period given!!! Don’t use these car park near Margate …

Not enough time allowed to pay. Faulty machines. Lack of clarity of payment system. I’m 79 not used to machines. No usable bank card due to fraud.
Migraine after driving into sun for an hour. Tried absolute best to pay but failed so just left. Popla dismissed appeal. No conversation.To crown it all CAB admitted to giving me wrong advice.

Roadford Reservoir - paid for parking but accidentally entered car reg incorrectly. Sent off a copy and they agreed to reduce fine to £20 if paid within 14 days. I was away due to family issues and did not get home to respond to letter so now have to pay £100.
What a disgraceful company and how sad for SW Lakes as must now be losing other regular customers.