Car clubs rely on shared parking bays so that every member knows exactly where to collect and return vehicles. But what happens if you arrive back at the end of your booking and find another car sitting in your bay? It’s one of the most frustrating things that can happen — and one that car clubs know how to handle.
While it’s annoying, it’s not uncommon, especially in busy city areas. The good news is that there’s a clear process for what to do, and as long as you follow it, you won’t be penalised.
Why Return Bays Matter
Round-trip car club cars are assigned to specific bays so that the next person can easily find them. If you leave a car elsewhere, even for a good reason, it can disrupt another member’s booking or even result in the vehicle being ticketed.
That’s why clubs are strict about returning to the correct location — but they also understand that blocked bays are sometimes unavoidable.
What to Do If Your Bay Is Blocked
If you arrive and someone else has parked in your space, here’s what you should and shouldn’t do:
- Don’t park illegally. It’s tempting to squeeze into a nearby spot or leave the car on double yellow lines, but you could be fined, and the car club won’t cover that cost.
- Check nearby signage. Some bays are shared with other services (for example, residents or electric vehicle charging). Make sure you’re in the correct location and that it’s actually occupied by someone else.
- Take photos. If the bay is genuinely blocked, take a quick photo showing the car and the registration plate. This helps the club report the issue to the council or landowner.
- Call the car club support team. Every major car club has a 24/7 helpline for this exact situation. They’ll tell you what to do next — usually asking you to park as close to the correct bay as possible and let them know where the car is.
- Follow their instructions. The support team may log the car’s location, contact local enforcement, or arrange to move it later. As long as you’ve informed them and followed their advice, you won’t be fined or penalised.
You Won’t Have This Problem With Peer-To-Peer Clubs
Blocked return bays are mainly an issue for round-trip car clubs that use fixed parking spaces, such as Zipcar, Enterprise and Co-Wheels. Peer-to-peer platforms like Hiyacar work differently. Because cars are owned by individuals and parked in normal residential or public spaces, you simply return the car to the agreed location rather than a specific bay.
That means you’re far less likely to find your spot taken when you come back. If there is an issue — for example, you can’t park on the same street because of roadworks or restrictions — you can contact the owner directly through the app to agree on an alternative. It’s a more flexible system, which removes one of the biggest frustrations of traditional car clubs.
What Happens Next
Once you’ve reported the problem, the car club will usually handle things from there. They may contact the local council or landowner to have the blocking vehicle removed, update the app so the next member knows where to find the car, or arrange for one of their local team members to move it later. You’ll normally get confirmation that your booking has been closed correctly, and you won’t be charged for any extra time while waiting for instructions.
Can You Claim Compensation?
No, car clubs don’t offer compensation or automatic refunds if your return bay is blocked. However, if you contact the support team before your booking ends and explain what’s happened, they can usually adjust your trip so you aren’t charged late fees or extra time.
Each case is handled individually, and the goal is to make sure you’re not penalised for something outside your control — not to provide financial compensation. As long as you report the problem promptly and follow the club’s instructions, you shouldn’t face any additional costs.
Why This Happens
Blocked bays are frustrating but often caused by simple mistakes. Residents or delivery drivers may not realise the space is reserved, or signage may have faded. In some areas, enforcement officers handle these spaces, but in others, the club itself manages them.
Reporting the issue helps prevent it happening again.
Getting It Right Next Time
If you’re returning a car and something looks off — such as a bay that’s partly obstructed or signage that’s missing — let the car club know early. They can flag it before the next member arrives, saving everyone time.
And if you’re parking at the start of your booking, double-check that you’re in the right place. Using the wrong bay is one of the main reasons other members find their spots blocked later on.
You Won’t Be Blamed
Finding your return space occupied is inconvenient, but it’s a known issue and not your fault. So don’t worry about it.
The key is to contact the car club before taking action — never park illegally or abandon the car without guidance. As long as you report the problem, follow instructions, and document what happened, the club will sort it out and you won’t be penalised.