Few things are more frustrating than returning to your car after a long day, only to find a bright yellow parking fine stuck to your windscreen.
Researchers at National Scrap Car submitted Freedom of Information requests to local councils to analyse the latest data, uncovering the areas that issued the most Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) last year, as well as the car makes that accumulated the highest number of fines.
Vehicles that have received the most fines
Parking fines come in various forms and can be issued for several reasons, whether it’s parking on double yellow lines, failing to display a valid ticket, or overstaying the time limit in a private car park.
A ‘higher’ level Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), issued for offences like parking in a restricted area during designated hours, costs £130, or £65 if paid within 14 days. A ‘lower’ level PCN, given for offences such as overstaying a paid parking session, costs £80, reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days.
In 2024, UK councils issued an average of 2,616,236 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), highlighting the ongoing issue of parking violations across the country.
During our analysis, we discovered that some car brands are more likely than others to have a parking ticket slipped under the windscreen wiper. By analysing the latest data, we uncovered the car brands most frequently penalised for parking offences over the past year.
Top 20 most fined cars in 2024
| Rank | Make | Total PCNs | Most issued by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FORD | 319887 | Manchester City Council |
| 2 | VOLKSWAGEN | 234811 | Manchester City Council |
| 3 | BMW | 204971 | Manchester City Council |
| 4 | VAUXHALL | 199899 | Manchester City Council |
| 5 | AUDI | 174705 | Manchester City Council |
| 6 | TOYOTA | 163891 | Waltham Forest Borough Council |
| 7 | MERCEDES-BENZ | 131769 | Manchester City Council |
| 8 | NISSAN | 122488 | Manchester City Council |
| 9 | PEUGEOT | 87092 | Manchester City Council |
| 10 | RENAULT | 75407 | London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council |
| 11 | MERCEDES | 70663 | Ealing Borough Council |
| 12 | HONDA | 67003 | Manchester City Council |
| 13 | KIA | 63151 | Manchester City Council |
| 14 | LAND ROVER | 61071 | Manchester City Council |
| 15 | CITROEN | 60636 | Manchester City Council |
| 16 | HYUNDAI | 58404 | Manchester City Council |
| 17 | SKODA | 42657 | Manchester City Council |
| 18 | VOLVO | 39387 | Manchester City Council |
| 19 | SEAT | 38813 | Manchester City Council |
| 20 | MINI | 38669 | Manchester City Council |
The top three car brands receiving the most parking fines in the UK in 2024 were Ford with 319,887 fines, approximately 180% more than the average, followed by Volkswagen with 234,811 and BMW with 204,971.
It’s no surprise that these brands topped the list, as they are among the most popular in the UK. In fact, the Ford Puma was the country’s best-selling car in 2024.
For all three of these car brands, the worst offending city was Manchester – where the local authority issued the most parking fines.
These three brands also racked up the most unpaid parking fines, totalling £15,077,680 in fines between them. Ford, in particular, accumulated the most fines, with £6,453,280 still outstanding.
Although Manchester City Council issued the most fines to these brands, they seem to be effective at collecting them. Ford drivers owe the highest amount of unpaid PCNs to Waltham Forest Borough Council (80666), while Volkswagen (53930) and BMW (53875) drivers have the most outstanding fines with Barking and Dagenham.
| Rank | Make | Unpaid PCNs | Local Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FORD | 80666 | Waltham Forest Borough Council |
| 2 | VOLKSWAGEN | 53930 | London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council |
| 3 | BMW | 53875 | London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council |
| 4 | VAUXHALL | 48925 | Manchester City Council |
| 5 | AUDI | 42424 | Waltham Forest Borough Council |
| 6 | MERCEDES-BENZ | 32746 | Waltham Forest Borough Council |
| 7 | TOYOTA | 31868 | London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council |
| 8 | NISSAN | 23674 | Waltham Forest Borough Council |
| 9 | PEUGEOT | 20308 | London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council |
| 10 | MERCEDES | 18812 | Waltham Forest Borough Council |
Councils that issued the most fines
As well as revealing the brand most likely to get fined, our research also revealed the councils that issued the most fines throughout 2024.
| Rank | Council | Total PCNs issued |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester City Council | 464,880 |
| 2 | Waltham Forest Borough Council | 264,817 |
| 3 | Ealing Borough Council | 227,280 |
| 4 | London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council | 213,059 |
| 5 | Enfield Council | 192,437 |
| 6 | Liverpool City Council | 170,935 |
| 7 | Merton Borough Council | 140,818 |
| 8 | Reading Borough Council | 127,519 |
| 9 | Coventry City Council | 104,502 |
| 10 | Richmond upon Thames Borough Council | 101,334 |
| 11 | Bexley Borough Council | 87,794 |
| 12 | Sutton Borough Council | 58,408 |
| 13 | Stoke on Trent City Council | 57,370 |
| 14 | Plymouth City Council | 57,198 |
| 15 | Hull City Council | 53,171 |
| 16 | Nottinghamshire County Council | 49,971 |
| 17 | Milton Keynes Council | 46,615 |
| 18 | Wokingham Borough Council | 32,070 |
| 19 | Sefton Borough Council | 31,006 |
| 20 | Peterborough City Council | 29,701 |
Manchester City Council tops the list for issuing the most parking fines, with a staggering 464,880 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) handed out. As a major city with high traffic volumes and strict parking enforcement, it’s no surprise that Manchester drivers face a high likelihood of receiving a ticket.
The city’s efforts to manage congestion and ensure compliance with parking regulations contribute to the high number of fines, particularly in busy areas in the city centre where demand for parking spaces outweighs availability.
Following Manchester, Waltham Forest Borough Council issued 264,817 fines throughout 2024, securing its place as the second-highest for parking penalties. As a borough within Greater London, where parking restrictions are notoriously strict, drivers may find it challenging to avoid fines, especially in controlled parking zones and high-footfall areas.
The significant number of PCNs suggests that enforcement is a key priority for the council, whether to regulate traffic flow, deter illegal parking, or generate revenue for local transport initiatives.
Ealing Borough Council rounds out the top three, having issued 227,280 parking fines in 2024. Like Waltham Forest, Ealing is another London borough where parking restrictions are heavily enforced, and space is at a premium. With a combination of residential permit zones, paid parking areas, and clearways, motorists have to be particularly vigilant to avoid penalties.
The high number of fines across these councils highlights the challenges of parking in major cities and the importance of understanding local restrictions to avoid costly mistakes, especially within a city centre like London or Manchester.
The top 5 worst places to get a parking fine – where are you most at risk?
Manchester – Arndale Centre Car Park – 17,356
The Arndale shopping centre car park has been revealed as the most fined parking location in Manchester, with more PCNs issued here than anywhere else in the city. Throughout 2024, 17,356 parking tickets were given out at this location alone. As one of Manchester’s busiest retail centres attracting thousands of shoppers daily, making its car park a prime location for enforcement, with common fines being overstaying time limits, failing to display a valid ticket and parking in restricted areas.
This hotspot for fines highlights the importance of carefully checking parking rules before you head off, even if it’s for a quick shopping trip.
Waltham Forest Borough Council – Cleveland Park Avenue, Walthamstow – 1,759
In 2024, Cleveland Park Avenue E17, Walthamstow, saw the highest number of parking fines issued by Waltham Forest Borough Council, with a total of 1,759 fines handed out. Parking fines in Cleveland Park Avenue are notably high due to the area’s inclusion in a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ).
CPZs are designated to prioritise parking for residents, businesses, and their visitors during specific times and days. Without a valid permit, parking in these zones can lead to Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs).
Ealing Borough Council – The Broadway (SOU) – 5,590
Parking fines in The Broadway, Southall (SOU), Ealing area were the highest in the whole of Ealing Borough with the council giving out 5,590 in 2024. The area around Ealing Broadway is designated as a CPZ, operating Monday to Friday from 9 am to 10 am and 3 pm to 4 pm. During these times, parking is restricted to permit holders, and violations can result in Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs).
There are a lot of restrictions around Ealing Broadway, but it is also a bustling commercial and transport hub, attracting numerous visitors. This high volume of vehicles increases the likelihood of parking violations, leading to more fines. Especially with recent advancements in parking enforcement technology in the area, such as Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, which have made it easier for authorities to monitor and issue fines for parking contraventions.
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council – Clockhouse Avenue (Dagenham) – 3,785
If you’re planning to park on Clockhouse Avenue in Dagenham, be aware of the parking restrictions. In 2024, the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council issued 3,785 PCNs on this road alone, making it the highest in the borough for parking fines.
Like many roads in London, Clockhouse Avenue is within a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ), where parking is only permitted for valid permit holders during certain hours. Without the proper permit, drivers can easily be caught out and fined.
Enfield – Green Lanes N13, 3,462
The top place for parking fines in Enfield was Green Lanes, with the council giving out 3,462 fines throughout 2024.
With London’s streets being so overcrowded due to its dense population and high volume of vehicles, CPZs are implemented to manage limited parking spaces and prioritise residents or businesses with permits. This reduces the likelihood of non-residents taking up parking spaces meant for local use.
They are also used as a way of restricting parking and reducing the number of vehicles circling for a space which can contribute to congestion. In busy places like Enfield, this is particularly important with many people relying on cars for daily travel.
The councils that made the most money from parking fines
Parking fines handed out by the council serve as significant revenue sources, with some collecting millions annually from PCNs. Many local authorities rely on income from PCNs to help fund initiatives like transport infrastructure, road maintenance and public services.
As part of our research, we were able to reveal the councils that made the most money from PCNs throughout 2024. Only closed PCNs were used for our calculations with many councils still awaiting payment. We also used the lowest possible fine which is £40 for a ‘lower’ level PCN paid within 14 days.
| Rank | Council | Total closed PCNs issued | Total revenue from parking fines |
| 1 | Manchester City Council | 365,031 | £14,601,240 |
| 2 | Waltham Forest Borough Council | 158,440 | £6,337,600 |
| 3 | Ealing Borough Council | 142,903 | £5,716,120 |
| 4 | Liverpool City Council | 130,140 | £5,205,600 |
| 5 | Merton Borough Council | 110,017 | £4,400,680 |
| 6 | Enfield Council | 104,766 | £4,190,640 |
| 7 | Reading Borough Council | 79,473 | £3,178,920 |
| 8 | Richmond upon Thames Borough Council | 78,878 | £3,155,120 |
| 9 | Bexley Borough Council | 72,378 | £2,895,120 |
| 10 | Plymouth City Council | 49,373 | £1,974,920 |
Since Manchester City Council issued the highest number of parking fines in the UK in 2024, it’s no surprise that they also generated the most revenue from them. The council brought in over £14 million from PCNs, highlighting the scale of parking enforcement in the city.
Securing the second spot, Waltham Forest Borough Council remains one of the UK’s most active enforcers of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs). In 2024 alone, the council generated over £6 million in revenue from parking fines. This reflects the high volume of PCNs issued across the borough, as well as the strict enforcement measures in place to regulate parking and traffic flow.
Ealing Borough Council ranked third in the UK for PCN revenue in 2024, generating over £5 million from parking fines. Similarly to Waltham Forest Borough Council, these figures show Ealing council’s effective enforcement measures across the borough, particularly in high-traffic areas where parking demand is high.
Interestingly, while Liverpool City Council ranked sixth in terms of issuing the most PCNs, in 2024, it actually secured fourth place for generating the most revenue from fines. This highlights how efficient the council is at collecting payments for the fines they are issuing. Liverpool’s success in revenue collection suggests they have a robust system for enforcement and follow-ups on unpaid PCNS, ensuring a higher conversion of fines into revenue.
Methodology
We submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to every local authority in the UK requesting data on all of the number of PCNs issued in the period of 1 January – 30 November 2024. For each complaint we asked for the response to be broken down by the make of the vehicle, when the fine was issued, the location of the offence and the penalty status. Off the back of this we were able to identify the locations that issued the most PCNs, along with the makes of vehicles that received the most. Of the 173 councils contacted, 48 councils responded which informed the data.