Seven popular cars banned from UK car parks over new rule

Motorists driving seven popular car models from leading brands such as BMW, Kia, and Mercedes have been dealt a shocking blow with the revelation that they are now barred from parking in public car parks due to an obscure rule regarding parking space lengths.

Autocar has verified with five local councils that cars too long for standard spots are now banned from council-run car parks. Vehicles over five metres in length are out of luck, as parking bays typically measure up to 4.8 metres. As vehicles have grown in size over the years, this presents a challenge, with councils poised to fine drivers whose cars spill out of parking bay limits, according to the Express.

New Forest Council highlighted the issue saying: "The standard parking space has remained at a consistent size for several decades. "However, national research has shown that on average, cars have got larger over time, both in width and in length."

They emphasised the significant increase in vehicle sizes over time, reports Daily Record.

The council said: "In 1965 the top five models sold in the UK had an average width of 1.5 m and average length of 3.9 m, compared to an average width of 1.8 m and length of 4.3 m for the top five sellers of 2020."

Luxury vehicles at risk of falling foul of the ban include the opulent Mercedes S-Class, the innovative Tesla Model S, and the prestigious BMW 7 Series.

Swanky SUVs including Range Rovers, Audi A8s, Kia EV9s, and the luxurious Rolls Royce Cullinan could find themselves banned from parking in some areas due to outdated parking bay sizes.

Autocar sent an FOI request to every UK council to ask if there were plans to enlarge parking spaces for the now commonly seen longer vehicles.

To date, councils including Wokingham, South Hampshire, Broadland, South Suffolk and West Devon have told Autocar they essentially ban any car that doesn't fit their parking bays.

Wokingham Council has shared the FOI details on their website.

The council was questioned, "Are cars exceeding a certain length banned from any of your car parks?".

The response given was, "We have a limit on size of vehicle and weight of vehicle allowed to use the car parks these were introduced at different dates as shown below.

"Since June 2023 All motor vehicles whose maximum length does not exceed 5,00 metres and overall height exceeds 2.10 metres and whose gross weight does not exceed 3050 kilogrammes, except for access."

Vehicle owners should be vigilant about keeping up to date with local council announcements.