Got a MET Parking Services Ticket? How to Fight and Beat It

You stopped at McDonald's for 20 minutes. Got your food, ate in the car park, left. Two weeks later, a £100 Parking Charge Notice from MET Parking Services arrives. They claim you "left the premises" and came back, or overstayed the limit.

But you didn't. You were there once, for 20 minutes. The ANPR camera got it wrong, or the car park rules are deliberately confusing. Now you're facing a £100 charge for getting a Big Mac.

This is one of the most common parking complaints in the UK. MET Parking manages hundreds of McDonald's car parks, and their "leaving premises" system catches thousands of innocent drivers every year. Here's everything you need to know about MET Parking, why their system is controversial, and exactly how to appeal.

👉 Appeal your MET Parking fine with Resolvo — free and takes 2 minutes

📌 Who Are MET Parking Services?

MET Parking Services Ltd is a private parking enforcement company based in London, operating since 2005. They manage car parks on behalf of landowners across the UK.

Company details:

• Founded: 2005

• Based: London

• Trade association: British Parking Association (BPA) member

• Portfolio: Hundreds of sites nationwide

What makes MET different: MET is particularly notorious for managing McDonald's restaurant car parks and using strict "maximum stay" rules combined with ANPR technology that frequently malfunctions or misidentifies vehicles.

🍟 The McDonald's Car Park Problem

MET Parking manages parking at many McDonald's locations across the UK. These car parks typically have:

• 90-minute maximum stay (sometimes 60 minutes)

• "You must not leave and return" rules

• ANPR cameras tracking entry and exit times

The problem everyone faces:

The ANPR system often:

• Records false "exits" when you never left

• Fails to log actual exits, making one visit look like two

• Counts driving from the drive-through to a parking bay as "leaving and returning"

Result: You get charged £100 for something you didn't do.

🏪 Where MET Parking Typically Operates

Beyond McDonald's, you'll find MET Parking managing:

Fast food restaurants:

• McDonald's (their biggest client)

• KFC

• Burger King

• Other quick-service restaurants

Other locations:

• NHS Hospitals

• Retail parks and shopping outlets

• Gyms and leisure centres

• Small independent shopping parades

The common thread: High turnover locations where "maximum stay" limits are strictly enforced.

💷 How Much Do MET Parking Charge?

Standard charge:

• £100 full amount

• £60 if paid within 14 days ("early payment discount")

If ignored:

• Debt collection letters

• Legal threats

• Potential small claims court action

• If they win: £100 + court fees + enforcement costs

⚠️ What Makes MET Parking Charges Controversial?

MET Parking has a particularly poor reputation among motorists for several reasons:

1. The "Leaving Premises" Trap

Many drivers get fined for allegedly "leaving the premises and returning" when they never left.

Common scenarios:

• You used the drive-through, then parked to eat — MET claims you "left and returned"

• ANPR camera misread another vehicle's plate as yours

• You parked, got food, ate in car park, left — but system shows false exit in middle

• Camera didn't log your actual exit, making one visit appear as two separate visits

2. Confusing Signage

Signs often say:

• "Maximum stay 90 minutes"

• "You must not leave and return within 24 hours"

But they don't explain:

• Does drive-through count as "leaving"?

• What if I park, go inside, come back to car, then leave?

• Why am I being charged when I was only here once?

3. Short Time Limits

90 minutes sounds reasonable, but consider:

• Drive-through queue: 10-15 minutes

• Eating your meal: 20-30 minutes

• Bathroom break or letting kids play: 10 minutes

• Total: 40-55 minutes — perfectly reasonable

• But if the system thinks you "left and returned," you get fined

🚫 What Happens If You Ignore a MET Parking Fine?

This is a possible timeline if you do nothing:

• Week 1-2: First notice arrives (£60 if paid within 14 days)

• Week 3: Reminder letter (now £100)

• Week 5-6: "Final notice" letter

• Week 8-10: Debt collection letter (from MET or third party)

• Week 12+: Letter Before Claim (legal threat)

• Month 6-12: Possible small claims court action

Can they actually sue? Yes. MET Parking does pursue some cases through small claims court. It's not every ticket, but they do it to set precedents and pressure others to pay.

Should you ignore it? No. But don't pay blindly either — appeal if it's unfair.

🧾 How to Appeal Your MET Parking Charge (Complete Guide)

Step 1: Identify Why You Were Charged

Check your PCN carefully. Common reasons:

"Overstaying maximum period"

• You stayed longer than 60/90 minutes

• Check timestamps — are they correct?

"Failed to leave premises"

• This is the controversial "leaving and returning" charge

• Most common at McDonald's

"No valid payment/permit"

• For paid car parks

• Did you pay? Do you have proof?

"Parked in restricted area"

• Disabled bay without badge

• Parent & child without child

• Staff-only area

Step 2: Gather Your Evidence Immediately

Within 24-48 hours of receiving the PCN, collect:

📸 Photographic evidence:

• Wide shot of car park entrance showing signage

• Close-up of "maximum stay" signs

• Photos of any unclear, faded, or obscured signs

• Photos of ANPR camera positions

• Your parking bay/location

• Payment machines (if applicable)

🧾 Documentary evidence:

• McDonald's receipt with timestamp

• Bank statement showing card payment at McDonald's

• Drive-through order confirmation (if using app)

• Witness statements (if someone was with you)

📱 Digital evidence:

• Dashcam footage showing continuous parking

• Phone location data (if it helps prove you didn't leave)

Step 3: Understand Your Strongest Appeal Grounds

For "leaving premises" charges (most common):

Ground 1: ANPR Error

• Camera misread another vehicle as yours

• System recorded false exit/entry

• Timestamps don't match your actual visit

Evidence needed: Receipt showing continuous presence, dashcam footage

Ground 2: Drive-Through Confusion

• You used drive-through, then parked to eat

• Signs don't clarify if this counts as "leaving"

• Reasonable person wouldn't understand this is prohibited

Evidence needed: Photos of unclear signage, receipt showing single visit

Ground 3: You Never Left

• You parked once, stayed less than time limit, left once

• System malfunction created false record

Evidence needed: Receipt timestamps, location data

For "overstaying" charges:

Ground 1: Time Miscalculation

• Their timestamps are wrong

• You have proof you left within time limit

Evidence needed: Receipt, CCTV from McDonald's (request it), witness

Ground 2: Grace Period Violation

• BPA Code requires 10-minute grace period

• You were only 5-8 minutes over

• No grace period applied

Evidence needed: Reference BPA Code 4.3

For "no payment" charges:

Ground 1: Payment System Failure

• Machine broken

• Card reader not working

• App failed to register payment

Evidence needed: Photos of broken machine, bank statement showing attempted payment

Step 4: Write Your Appeal

MET Parking requires:

• Online submission via their appeal portal

• Appeals typically must be made within 28 days

• Include PCN number, vehicle registration, evidence

Appeal your MET Parking fine with Resolvo — free and takes 2 minutes

Step 5: Submit On Time

Deadline: 28 days from date of PCN issue

How to submit:

• Online: MET Parking appeal portal

Important:

• ❌ Don't pay before appealing — payment = admission

• ✅ Appeal within 14 days to preserve £60 rate if you lose

• ✅ Keep copies of everything

Step 6: If Rejected — Escalate to POPLA

MET Parking are a BPA member, which means rejected appeals can go to POPLA (Parking on Private Land Appeals).

What is POPLA?

• Independent adjudication service

• Free to use

• Reviews evidence from both sides

• Decision is binding on MET Parking

How to escalate:

• Get your POPLA code from MET's rejection letter

• Go to popla.co.uk within 28 days of rejection

• Submit your case with all evidence

• Wait for decision (usually 4-8 weeks)

POPLA success factors:

• Strong photographic evidence

• Clear ANPR errors

• BPA Code violations

• Poor signage

• System malfunctions

🔍 Common Questions About MET Parking

Q: Why does MET target McDonald's so heavily? A: High turnover locations generate more PCNs. McDonald's attracts lots of customers in/out quickly, creating more ANPR events and more potential for system errors.

Q: Can using the drive-through really count as "leaving"? A: MET sometimes argues this, but it's highly controversial. Most adjudicators don't accept this interpretation if signage doesn't explicitly state it.

Q: Will MET take me to court? A: They can and occasionally do, but it's relatively rare. They pursue cases where they believe they have strong evidence.

Q: What if I genuinely did overstay? A: If you legitimately broke the rules and they have proof, your appeal likely won't succeed. Pay the £60 within 14 days.

Q: Can I request CCTV from McDonald's? A: You can ask McDonald's for footage under GDPR, but they may refuse or charge fees. Worth trying if timestamps are disputed.

Q: Does MET have a poor reputation? A: Yes. MET Parking consistently appears in consumer complaints about unfair private parking charges, particularly for McDonald's "leaving premises" fines.

Q: What's the BPA Code of Practice? A: Rules that BPA members must follow, including:

• Clear signage at all entrances

• Minimum 10-minute grace period

• Proportionate charges

• Fair appeals process

Q: How long does POPLA take? A: Typically 4-8 weeks from submission to decision.

Q: Will this affect my credit score? A: Not unless they get a County Court Judgment (CCJ) and you don't pay it.

🧾 Final Thoughts

MET Parking fines — especially from McDonald's car parks — are among the most disputed private parking charges in the UK. Their "leaving premises" enforcement is controversial, their ANPR system frequently errors, and their signage often doesn't adequately explain the rules.

If you got a MET Parking fine:

• Don't panic — it's not a criminal matter

• Don't pay immediately — appeal first if it's unfair

• Gather evidence quickly — photos, receipts, timestamps

• Use Resolvo — we write your appeal in 2 minutes

• Escalate to POPLA if rejected — independent adjudication

If you genuinely broke the rules:

• Pay the £60 within 14 days

• Learn from it

• Move on

If the charge is unfair:

• Fight it with evidence

• Many people win

• Don't let a faulty ANPR system cost you £100

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