Author Topic: Euro Car Parks - Debt Recovery  (Read 63 times)

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Euro Car Parks - Debt Recovery
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Hi All,

I'm looking for some advice on whether or not I have a good defense. Tbh I don't have the headspace to deal with this but I feel the charge is unfair.

I have just received a letter from dcbl (dated 19th May??) claiming notice of debt recovery for an amount of £170 for overstaying in a car park. The contravention date is 25/02/2026. I received no other notices and have discovered it is because letters were sent to an address in England that I have not lived at for 7+ years. The car might still be registered there on it's vc5 which is the issue but it has been insured in Scotland for 7+ years. Because of this I have had no way to pay until now which I believe makes the charge invalid as it was not issued correctly?

Is it worth defending or just paying it as the car was parked for too long? What are the next steps?

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Re: Euro Car Parks - Debt Recovery
« Reply #1 on: »
If the parking charge notice was sent to the address current at the time on your V5C, it was served correctly. It’s your fault for not updating your V5C.

Keeper liability does not apply in Scotland. In other words, as long as the driver has not been identified, the liability can not be transferred to the registered keeper. However the parking company will think that you live in England until you tell them otherwise.

You can send a Subject Access Request to the parking company to obtain all the information they hold on you, including a copy of the original parking notice. You should separately send an address update to their data protection officer requiring them to update your address for service to your current address.

DCBL are to be ignored.

DCB Legal may send you a Letter of Claim, to which you can reply along the lines of it being irrelevant for Scotland. Or they may send you the equivalent under Scottish law.

You can also ignore everything. They may eventually give up if so. Generally we don’t advise this.

But if you defend, I would do it on the basis of the registered keeper not being liable because they can not transfer the liability from the driver under Scottish law.

If you’re not going to make an effort to defend this, know that in order to do it properly will involve paperwork and empty threats. You’ll get advice here, but you’ll be responsible for handling the details.
« Last Edit: June 02, 2026, 10:53:38 am by jfollows »

Re: Euro Car Parks - Debt Recovery
« Reply #2 on: »
Thank you.

I figured it would be my fault on the V5C address.

Do you think it is worth defending? And do I also need to contact DCBL to tell them I live in Scotland or is that something to deal with once I get a Letter of Claim? How much paperwork are we talking haha?

Re: Euro Car Parks - Debt Recovery
« Reply #3 on: »
Do not contact DCBL. Contact Euro Car Parks. Now.
Quote
DCBL are to be ignored.
I would defend, on the basis of the technicality of your now living in Scotland. But you have to decide whether or not it’s worth your time and attention because you imply it’s not, and I don’t want to have me and others give you advice here to come to nothing.

But these companies won’t fold at first contact.

Fairness doesn’t come into it. Euro Car Parks will say that the signs were clear and the driver entered into a contract by parking which will have included an agreement to pay £100 or whatever if the driver overstayed. They are pursuing the charge under contract law. Fortunately if the driver hasn’t been identified, the registered keeper in Scotland can’t be liable.
« Last Edit: June 02, 2026, 05:17:24 pm by jfollows »

Re: Euro Car Parks - Debt Recovery
« Reply #4 on: »
A slight aside but if you haven't already, update your V5C immediately.