Drivers of 14 popular cars face unexpected fine because they are 'too long'

The Institute for Structural Engineers (IStructE) has been forced to update its guidance on parking space dimensions - with bigger models at risk of not being able to fit in modern spaces.
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


Drivers of these popular cars face fines because their motors are TOO LONG. The Institute for Structural Engineers (IStructE) has been forced to update its guidance on parking space dimensions - with bigger models at risk of not being able to fit in modern spaces.

New research from Which? has identified a number of popular vehicles that are too long for parking spaces, even with the updated guidance from the IStructE. A freedom of information (FoI) request carried out by Autocar earlier this year found that a few councils have added rules around vehicle length to their own car parks in addition to the more commonly seen weight and height restrictions.

For example, Wokingham council updated its rules in June 2023. The other councils who have 5-metre restrictions (based on those who responded to the FoI) are South Hampshire, Broadland, South Suffolk, and West Devon.

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According to Thurrock’s response to the FoI request, cars over 5.35 metres have been banned from its car parks since 2005, so even with this more generous allowance, the BMW i7 would still technically be in breach of the rules as it’s 41mm longer.

Popular cars at risk of parking fines for being too long

BMW i7 (2022-) - 5,391mm

Mercedes-Benz EQS (2021-) - 5,216mm

Mercedes-Benz S-Class (2021-) - 5,179mm

Audi A8 (2018-) - 5,172mm

BMW X7 (2019-) - 5,151mm

Mercedes-Benz V-class (2015-) - 5,140mm

Mercedes-Benz EQV (2020-) - 5,140mm

BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe (2019-) - 5,082mm

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Audi SQ7 (2016-) - 5,069mm

BMW i5 (2023-) - 5,060mm

Audi Q7 (2015-) - 5,052mm

Land Rover Range Rover (2022-) - 5,052mm

Kia EV9 (2024-) - 5,015mm

Genesis G80 Electrified (2022-) - 5,005mm

Which? explained: "Whatever the reason you’ve received a parking ticket, it’s helpful to know your rights and how you might be able to appeal. In the case of overly long cars, you might struggle to make a case as councils tend to impose these fines on cars that are parked outside of the marked bays

"Nevertheless, it’s always worth looking at the penalty notice in detail to see whether you have any get-out clauses, for example signage was unclear or the bay markings were poor."