Smart Parking Technology Reviews 1,820

TrustScore 1 out of 5

1.1

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Evaluating 223 reviews, most reviewers were let down by their experience overall. Many customers expressed significant dissatisfaction with the payment process, often finding it difficult or impossible to pay for parking, leading to unexpected fines. People frequently reported issues with the appeal process, stating that their detailed explanations and evidence were ignored, and appeals were consistently rejected, often resulting in increased charges. Reviewers also highlighted problems with the clarity of parking signs and payment methods, which they felt were often inadequate or misleading. The service was widely criticized, with many feeling that the company's primary intent was to issue fines rather than facilitate parking, leading to what some described as excessive payments and questionable practices. Customers also noted that fines would escalate rapidly, sometimes without prior notification, and that debt collectors were involved, causing significant stress and financial burden.

What people talk about most

Payment

Users describe negative interactions with payment, frequently reporting issues where they paid for parking... See more

Location

Reviewers express widespread dissatisfaction with various aspects of the locations, particularly car parks.... See more

Price

Customers consistently note negative experiences with price, frequently reporting unexpected and high fines,... See more

Claim

Customers had negative experiences with claim processes, often reporting that their appeals were rejected... See more

Service

Reviewers highlight negative aspects of service, describing it as appalling and a very stressful experience.... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I appealed parking charge, even the Mecure hotel appealed on my behalf,but it was turned down. I entered my details at the reception desk on the tablet in front of the receptionist but this set of 'hi... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

This company is fraudulent and a scam. They have the worst customer service to ever exist. Please avoid parking with them at all costs. They sapos to of sent a fine to me but received nothing first i... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

As others have said, this is a nasty, cynical, money making so called 'business'. It's more akin to Richard Turpin than a bona fide business though! They have no other intent than to catch out as man... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Tried issuing 7 parking fines, all of which were out of time, there are strict rules on this but they don’t seem to grasp the concept there business. Ge yourself onto ChatGBT, scan your fine letter in... See more


Company details

  1. Valet Parking Service

Written by the company

At Smart Parking, we’re redefining parking management with advanced, easy-to-use technology designed to improve parking experiences worldwide. With teams across the UK, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand, we bring intelligent, seamless parking solutions that integrate Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR/LPR) and optional Pay-on-foot systems. Our Managed Services division expertly oversees thousands of spaces, delivering reliable solutions for diverse environments, including shopping centers, hospitals, universities, residential areas, and more. Since 2011, Smart Parking has proudly operated as a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: SPZ).


Contact info

1.1

Bad

TrustScore 1 out of 5

2K reviews

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No history of asking for reviews

This company hasn't invited their customers, so reviews may not be representative

Hasn’t replied to negative reviews

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Absolute cowboys

Absolute cowboys ! This company should be shut down
Received a ccj from 3 years ago for late payment for a parking spot in Morley Leeds , apparently I took too long to pay ? There were 2 machines and one was broken , 3 people in front of me
Resulted in paying £283 so I wouldn’t have a ccj on my records
I wouldn’t piss on a member of this company if they were on fire !!

23 January 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

We tried to exit a car park in December…

We tried to exit a car park in December 2023, and overstayed by 2 mins due to the traffic to get out (not even in a parking bay). Had a fine and appealed citing BPA code of practise which states 10 mins is reasonable. That was rejected, now have a court issued case. Just filed a defence. They want £300 all for a 2 min overstay!

23 January 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Awful company and should not be allowed…

Awful company and should not be allowed to continue. Ticket purchased and still received a fine, appealed the ticket and received no further correspondence until I was informed it has been passed to a debt collection agency and refused to communicate as they felt 'this matter is now closed'. Absolutely appalling behavior and genuinely can't believe they are allowed to trade.

5 January 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Fair resolution—they actually listened…

Fair resolution—they actually listened to my appeal!

I recently received a parking charge which I believed was incorrect. I decided to appeal the decision rather than just paying it. I sent them a detailed explanation along with my location history and relevant documents to prove my case.

To their credit, the team at Smart Parking was fair and reasonable. They reviewed my evidence and cancelled the charge. My advice to anyone else in this situation is: don't panic. Communicate with them clearly and send as much information/proof as you can. If you are in the right and have the evidence, they will listen.

20 January 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

-5 stars if it were possible

-5 stars if it were possible. A nasty business. Vehicle enters their car park at Tower Road , Newquay, Cornwall innocently, occupants are unable to use the app (4 adults tried individually with different phones), no mobile reception. No other way to pay, no card or cash provision. Large car park, elderly relative in car so parking position important. Trapped, fine if you stay as unable to pay, so left to find a nice council owned car park nearby that accepted cash and card. Over 14 days later PCN sent to vehicle owner, the car had overstayed grace period by 20 SECONDS!!! So appeal, thrown out, fine now £170 for 20 SECONDS in a car park that had no method of payment available. 14 threatening and harassing letters and over 2 and a half years later the vehicle owner threatened with CCJ. My advice is to NEVER park in a car park operated by Smartparking.com

18 January 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Absolutely disgusting…

Absolutely disgusting inhuman parasites who have no morality!
Parking in the car park at the hospital I work at and have a car parking pass for where they close an entire floor of the car park of about 100 spaces due to snow and ice! Parked in an EV charging place for 30 mins to sort out my first appointment and have a ticket by the time I’m back!
Appealed it but apparently they have no comprehension of extreme circumstances and would prefer patients were left without a doctor and couldn’t possibly show any leniency because they are money grabbing sharks

5 January 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Utterly useless outfit

Utterly useless outfit - we provided all the registrations for our retail team back in October for a retail park and are still getting fines, reminders and now debt collection letters - just cant believe how completely useless they are

13 January 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Absolute sharks

Absolute sharks, paid for a ticket and have reciept however they want £60, went through the appeals process and delay tactics start, they they say I have not appealed in time.
Absolute disgusting company, I will not be paying the fine.

17 August 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Absolutely corrupt!

Absolutely corrupt!! Don’t know how they get away with it! Absolutely disgusting company. Service, response, everything is diabolical!

12 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Tried issuing 7 parking fines

Tried issuing 7 parking fines, all of which were out of time, there are strict rules on this but they don’t seem to grasp the concept there business. Ge yourself onto ChatGBT, scan your fine letter in and it generates a response automatically, dead easy and gives you peace of mind knowing the rules, they are hoping your going to just pay without disputing with them. Save yourself a fortune ChatGBT

10 July 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Poor experience

They have underhandedly, in my opinion, tried to charge me £60, if paid in 14 days for allegedly failing to pay for a ticket. However, I paid for a ticket. I tried appealing the charge. However, having tried twice online without success, I will now be seeking legal advice. I believe that the appeal process is deliberately flawed, as they want to put people off lodging an appeal. The lesson I have drawn from my very negative experience, is that in future I will not park in any car park this company manage.

18 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Terrible

Terrible experience.
Received parking ticket which I legitimately contested. Heard nothing more until i started receiving letters from debt recovery plus.

To speak to Debt recovery plus you need to spend over an hour on hold each time to speak to anyone. You then hear nothing more until you get further letters with the fine increasing.

Also complained to the complaints address for smart parking with no response. Incident happened in July and left with no option but to pay.

30 July 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Extortionate Fines

Extortionate Fines
This company has issued a £100 fine for a 1-minute car park overstay.
The date on the letter is 10 days prior to my receipt so the 28 days' notice is compromised.

11 November 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Fraud

1. The car park used has been free for many years and inadequate lighting making it impossible to see any signing in the dark.
2. I receive the fine on 09/12/25 and only had one day to pay the £60 fine otherwise it would be £100.
3. The webpage would not allow me to pay the fine using the unique reference number and my registration plate.

Please can you send me the Lux levels for the car park and can you also confirm why it has taken 13 days from printing the letter to send me the PCN giving me less that 24h to pay?

The signs for the parking are not visible in the evening and there is virtually no lighting in the car park. You receive a £60 parking fine which they purposefully print out and send so you have less that 24h to pay the lower rate which is automatically increased to £100 if you dont pay it within those 24h. To make it even better you cant used the website to pay the fee because they have a system error conveniently and you have to ring a number and provide your card details to an automated machine which inevitably will sell all of your information into others for telesales. Please can you provide your LUX level survey for the lighting in your car park because it would be fascinating to see if it complies with any standards.

9 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Sneaky small signs regarding 4 hours…

Sneaky small signs regarding 4 hours limit in Bloomfield retail shopping centre car park, Bangor Northern Ireland. They have since upgraded to large signs and a payment facility for extra parking time but it cost me multiple £60 fines in the intervening period. Crooks?

6 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Ruthless Company with zero Customer Service

Parked on local car park for 72 minutes , the phone No wasnt manned and I couldnt download the Ringo App due to the phone signal (thats who collects the payments for these crooks)So once I got home contacted Ringo (A Bot as usual) who gave me Smart Parking details. Contacted them to try and pay the fee but no couldnt help me I had to wait for the fine then appeal is what I was Told . 3 months later the fine arrives I appeal as instructed explaining I did everything possible to pay the fee on the day but they had restricted me from doing that . Dont use their car parks they are terrible people to deal with. WATCH OUT THEY WILL NOT HELP YOU IN ANYWAY. NO MATTER WHAT YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES ARE.

2 August 2025
Unprompted review

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