Why Is the CMA Investigating Euro Car Parks at Petrol Stations?
The regulator is examining whether it is fair for some motorists to receive parking charges while queueing for fuel or using forecourt services.
The CMA's open consumer-protection investigation is examining whether it is fair for some motorists to receive parking charges while queueing for petrol pumps, using petrol pumps, using car washes, or using other forecourt services. No infringement has been found.
No consumer-law infringement has yet been found in this investigation. The CMA is investigating suspected infringements. A CMA investigation does not mean wrongdoing has been established.
How a forecourt charge can arise
This is an illustrative example only. It does not claim that this sequence occurred at every location, or that any particular charge was improper.
- 1Driver enters petrol station↓
- 2Queues for a pump↓
- 3Buys fuel / uses forecourt service↓
- 4Time passes↓
- 5Parking system records vehicle↓
- 6Parking charge possible
The point the CMA is examining is the gap between forecourt use (queueing, fuelling, car wash) and the moment a parking system records a vehicle — and whether a charge in those circumstances is fair.