Applies to private parking charges and council PCNs
The vehicle was sold or taken without your consent
If you were not the keeper on the date, or the vehicle had been taken without your consent, liability cannot attach to you at all.
No account, no card, nothing stored.
Why this works
Sold before the date
Keeper liability requires keepership at the relevant time. Produce the V5C slip or DVLA acknowledgement and ask them to obtain correct details from the DVLA.
Taken without consent is a statutory ground
For a council PCN this appears expressly in Schedule 1 of the Traffic Management Act 2004. Attach evidence of the report made in connection with the vehicle.
Do not argue anything else alongside it
If the vehicle was not yours or was not in your control, arguments about signage or timing only muddy the point.
Evidence to attach
- The V5C section confirming transfer, or the DVLA acknowledgement
- A dated bill of sale
- Evidence of the report made about the vehicle if it was taken
More appeals fail on missing evidence than on weak arguments. Send copies, never originals, and keep a proof of posting.
Common questions
Can I appeal a parking ticket if the car was sold or stolen?
Both of these are complete answers. For council PCNs, a vehicle taken without consent is one of the statutory grounds for representations. Challenging costs nothing, and if the issuer rejects you the escalation to an independent adjudicator is also free.
How long do I have to appeal?
Usually 28 days from the date on the notice, but the deadline that matters is often 14 days. Challenge within that window and most councils keep the 50% discount open for a further 14 days if they reject you. Private operators normally offer a reduced sum for the same period.
What evidence should I send?
The V5C section confirming transfer, or the DVLA acknowledgement. A dated bill of sale. Evidence of the report made about the vehicle if it was taken.
Does it cost anything to appeal?
No. Challenging the issuer is free, and escalating to POPLA, the Independent Appeals Service, the Traffic Penalty Tribunal or London Tribunals is free for motorists. Voidly does not charge you either.
Write your appeal now
Answer a few questions and Voidly assembles the right grounds for your case, with a checklist of what to attach.
Start my appealOther reasons people appeal
- The signs were not clear
- The notice arrived too late
- You were not the driver
- You paid but mistyped your registration
- Your vehicle was never at that location
- You were only a few minutes over
- The payment machine was not working
- You had a Blue Badge
Voidly produces a draft letter to help you appeal. It is not legal advice. Always check the letter and the deadline on your notice before sending.