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Paid for parking but entered the wrong registration?

You paid, but a single wrong character in your number plate means the camera system thinks you didn't. This is called a keying error. It is one of the most common reasons for a private parking charge, and one of the most winnable.

What the Code of Practice says

Under the parking industry's Single Code of Practice (BPA and IPC), a minor keying error (one character wrong, missing or swapped, such as O for 0) where you paid for parking should be cancelled on appeal. A major keying error (several characters wrong, or a completely different registration, such as an old car still saved in your parking app) should at most be reduced to £20.

What to send

• Proof of payment: the machine ticket, an app screenshot or a bank/card statement showing the amount and time.
• A short explanation of the error, e.g. "AB12 CDE was entered as AB12 CD".
• A request to cancel the charge, or (for a major error) to reduce it to £20 as the Code provides, and a POPLA or IAS code if they refuse.

Don't wait

Appeal within 14 days if you can. That keeps the option of paying the discounted amount open if the appeal fails.