Across the UK, drivers are being hit with incorrectly issued PCNs even after paying, thanks to faulty pay machines that misread registrations and outdated systems — as seen at one Syston Town Square site, where appeals were often rejected and the RAC called the situation “scandalous.” Independent reporting and industry data show the scale of the problem, with campaigners calling for tougher rules and fairer appeals. Cases like this show how modern, automated systems that bill drivers accurately for the time they stay could remove these risks altogether.
At one town square site in Leicestershire, drivers followed the rules. They entered their registration, paid at the machine, and left with a valid ticket in hand. Yet days later, many were shocked to receive Parking Charge Notices (PCNs) claiming they had failed to pay correctly.
Faulty machines were at the heart of the problem. According to The Independent (3 March 2025), the payment terminals often failed to capture registration numbers properly, leaving motorists recorded as unpaid even after they had settled their fee. Despite clear evidence of payment, appeals were frequently rejected. Some drivers became so frustrated they vowed to fight the charges in court, with one telling the press they would “rather go to prison than pay” an incorrectly issued PCN.
A Facebook group of more than 130 affected drivers soon emerged, sharing stories of being unfairly penalised and ignored when raising complaints. The RAC called the situation “scandalous” and demanded operators cancel the charges. Many, however, offered no explanation (sources: The Independent, The Sun).
Outdated systems, unfair outcomes
The case raised crucial questions. How could motorists be issued PCNs when they had physical proof of payment? Why were appeals brushed off with what seemed to be automated rejections? And how many other car parks across the UK were quietly issuing similar, incorrectly issued PCNs?
Instead of offering transparency or solutions, many operators responded with silence. For many drivers, cancellation only came after media exposure — by which time stress and wasted hours had already taken their toll.
The Hozah approach: fair, automated, stress-free
Stories like this reveal just how broken traditional parking systems can be — especially for customers who do everything right yet are penalised by faulty machines and rigid appeals processes.
That’s why Hozah is different.
No queues. No machines. No tickets.
No confusion. Drivers are automatically charged for the exact time they stay — nothing more, nothing less.
Lower risk of PCNs. Hozah removes the risk of accidental overstays, machine errors, or dismissed appeals.
Using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and real-time cloud technology, Hozah creates a seamless experience for both drivers and operators. Whether at a retail park, hotel, or events venue, Hozah ensures parking is never a source of frustration.
Ready to modernise your car park?
Book a chat with our parking experts to see how we can make your car park fair, automatic, and future-ready.
Or email us directly at hello@hozah.com