Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hi guys, just looking for a bit of advice. I'm in England for reference

I received a PCN from smart parking in 2023, I appealed it but never heard anything back.
I'd used the ring go app and accidentally paid for the wrong car for the right amount of time (the number plates start the same FE18/FE19).
I never heard anything back from their appeal, but stupidly back then told them I was the driver but not the keeper as I didn't want my partner dealing with the stress of this. I had sent them the VAT receipt of the parking I had paid for.
I heard nothing back and got a DRP+ on the 29th November 2023, and as told by friends just ignore it, I had emailed smart parking to issue a complaint that they hadn't responded to my appeal. I had sent them the VAT receipt via email and received:

Good afternoon, 

Thank you for your email. 

We can confirm that having reviewed the content of your email, this would constitute as an appeal rather than a complaint and therefore will be treated as an appeal. 

Please note as per point 3 (Definition of a Complaint) of our complaints policy, it clearly advises “The complaints policy is not intended to be used as a method for motorists to appeal a Parking Charge Notice (PCN). Matters relating specifically to appeals must be made in writing as instructed on the notice itself. If a complaint is received that is considered to be or includes an appeal against the validity of an PCN, we will treat it as an appeal and advise the customer of this, unless we are informed that the customer does not wish it to be so handled. Our definition of a complaint is something about the quality of the service provided by an organisation, its processes and/or the behaviour of its staff. Our definition of an appeal – correspondence shared against the decision of an organisation – in this instance, the decision to issue a Parking Charge Notice – where a change to that decision is required.”

Your appeal has been logged on our system and our appeals team will look into your comments accordingly. Please note, it can take up to 28 days for a response to be issued. 

This email address is for formal complaints only and therefore must fall in line with our complaints policy. For any queries, please contact info@smartparking.com

We do not believe there is any further action required from your complaint and now consider this matter closed.

Kind regards,

(even though the body of my original email was that I haven't received any correspondence from smart parking about my appeal just straight to DRP+ letters.

DRP eventually stopped sending letters until 11th November 2024 when I received another one.

This time i got back in touch with smart parking again stating they had not responded to my appeals in over 349 days, (I also sent another one in for good measure.) which is a breach of BPA Conduct of practice and argued that due to this I'd feel it's an extenuating circumstance for them to consider an appeal outside of this time frame due to them not acknowledging the appeal for 300+ days.

I had also requested a popla code at the time and it had been refused due to how long the appeal had been open (even though i tried to appeal and contact them numerous times)

I received an email from smart parking on the 19th December 2024 stating they had sent responses and their system has shown it as responded to, although I have not and can not find this correspondence anywhere else.

So, I chased up with DRP+ who told me on the phone verbally after some back and fourth that nobody will be taking this to court, I heard nothing else after this.

UNTIL 20th November 2025.
I get a letter from DCBL saying they're chasing the debt, as usual I ignore their letter and receive a letter of claim, I emailed them the template defense from MSE and they emailed back saying I have a lack of evidence.
Now, I'm not sure where to go here. Do I email them the evidence, Have i screwed myself by admitting i'm the driver even though i'm not the registered keeper? Is this likely to go their way if it goes to court and is it time for me to pay the piper?

Thanks in advance, sorry that this is long winded!