Yahoo News 14 cars at risk of £70 parking tickets for breaking space rules
At least 14 kinds of car face being fined for parking almost anywhere other than their front drive a new study has revealed. Consumer group Which? said that many modern cars have expanded so much they literally don't fit into parking spots.
Earlier this year the Institution of Structural Engineers released new guidelines recommending significantly expanding the sizes of standard parking spaces - and warning this could mean there are fewer overall available. The problem is that many SUV type vehicles now are so big they massively overhang normal spaces.
Which? said: "Driving these cars into certain car parks could actually land you with a fine for not staying within the marked bays; several councils now have explicit policies prohibiting vehicles more than five metres long parking in their car parks. Parking fines on council and private land vary, but they tend to be within the £70-£150 range depending on your region and the seriousness of your rules transgression."
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Autocar found that ewer than 1-in-10 UK councils (8.2%) have plans to increase the size of their parking bays, despite the fact that cars are getting bigger. Five UK councils already impose maximum length restrictions on vehicles, putting the drivers of many big-selling models at risk of receiving fines when using council-run facilities.
That means models including the Tesla Model X, Mercedes S Class and Range Rover are unparkable in council-run facilities in Wokingham, South Hams, and Broadland and South Norfolk.
The cars over 5 metres long
Manufacturer | Model | Price (from) | Official length |
|---|---|---|---|
BMW | i7 (2022-) | £94,347 | 5,391mm |
Mercedes-Benz | EQS (2021-) | £92,035 | 5,216mm |
Mercedes-Benz | S-Class (2021-) | £89,455 | 5,179mm |
Audi | A8 (2018-) | £74,087 | 5,172mm |
BMW | X7 (2019-) | £83,790 | 5,151mm |
Mercedes-Benz | V-class (2015-) | £71,870 | 5,140mm |
Mercedes-Benz | EQV (2020-) | £92,255 | 5,140mm |
BMW | 8 Series Gran Coupe (2019-) | £63,379 | 5,082mm |
Audi | SQ7 (2016-) | £87,303 | 5,069mm |
BMW | i5 (2023-) | £62,452 | 5,060mm |
Audi | Q7 (2015-) | £60,509 | 5,052mm |
Land Rover | Range Rover (2022-) | £102,886 | 5,052mm |
Kia | EV9 (2024-) | £63,692 | 5,015mm |
Genesis | G80 Electrified (2022-) | £69,905 | 5,005mm |
Earlier this year the Express reported that a man in Southampton racked up a string of fines for parking outside of his own flat - as he says the parking bay is not long enough for his car. Mark Tisshaw, Editor of Autocar Business, said: "We know that cars are getting longer and wider, typically due to ever-stricter crash and safety legislation they must meet, and these figures show too few councils are adapting to this new reality.
"Space sizes should reflect the UK vehicle parc, so motorists can park without fear of damaging other vehicles or being fined for overstepping a bay. The fact it’s almost impossible to find the parking restrictions online – with drivers often forced to read the small print on physical signage at the location to understand the precise rules – only adds to the difficulties faced by motorists." Mike Hawes, chief executive of the manufacturer’s industry body the SMMT, told MailOnline : “Modern cars are packed with advanced safety technology that protects passengers and other road users, from airbags to crumple zones, all of which contribute to vehicles being larger than before.
"Cars also increasingly accommodate electric batteries and motors rather than just engines which can affect size and shape. Ultimately, however, it is consumers that influence vehicle design with manufacturers responding to market tastes and preferences and ensuring that all cars – irrespective of size and body type – meet relevant regulations."
On why cars have expanded so much, the AA said there are several reasons. AA President Edmund King explained, "part of the reason why cars are now made larger is psychological, as people feel safer in a bigger car. As technology has advanced cars are safer, and it is these protective technologies which mean that cars are larger."
When the AA polled Members, 43% said they'd had a dent or scratch caused by someone else in a car park. And parking badly only adds to the problem.
Here’s how the AA suggests avoiding damage and be polite to fellow drivers:
Park further away from the shop entrance if you can – there’s likely to be more spaces free.
Parking across two spaces (to reduce risk of door dings) is unsociable and you may even get a parking fine for not sticking within the lines.
If you’ve no choice but to use two spaces, buy two tickets to avoid a parking penalty.
Parking 'driver's door to driver's door' can help make the most of space between cars. At least if the driver can get in easily, they can pull out to let passengers in.
