Pay Machine Broken / No Alternative Payment

If the payment machine was broken and no alternative payment method was available, drivers cannot be penalised for failing to pay when payment was impossible.

Legal basis

Contract law - impossibility of performance. Private Parking Code of Practice requirements for payment options.

How to identify this in your case

Photograph broken machine, error messages, or out of order signs. Note time and date. Check if alternative payment (app, phone) was advertised.

Sample appeal wording

When I attempted to pay for parking on [DATE] at approximately [TIME], the payment machine displayed [ERROR MESSAGE/was not functioning]. I attach photographic evidence. I attempted to [DESCRIBE EFFORTS TO PAY]. There was no alternative payment method available/the alternative required technology I do not possess. I cannot be penalised for failing to perform an impossible act. I had every intention of paying and was prevented from doing so by the operator's equipment failure.

Replace [PARKING DATE], [NtK DATE] etc. with your own dates before sending.

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Sources

Private Parking Code of Practice 2024