Finding secure, trustworthy airport parking shouldn’t be a gamble. Use the checklist below to make sure you’re choosing a professional operator that will keep your car safe while you’re away. These tools, checks and tips will help you avoid rogue traders and book with confidence.
Beat the rogue airport parking operators by using this guide to help ensure your car’s kept safe – and fully secured – while you’re away.
These online tools can help gauge how reliable the parking firm you’re considering is.
1) Choose a Gatwick Approved Operator for meet and greet
Booking meet & greet at Gatwick? Could you make sure the provider is part of the Gatwick Airport Approved Operator scheme?
This accreditation ensures your car is kept in a secure, authorised compound – not left on public roads, fields or unprotected land.
What to check:
Confirm your meet & greet provider is on Gatwick’s official list. Operators like APH are fully approved, giving peace of mind that your car is handled responsibly and professionally.
Check if your meet and greet operator’s on the list with APH: Gatwick Airport Approved Off-Airport Parking Scheme
2) Ensure it’s not too good to be true
Secure car parks, like APH Gatwick, invest heavily in CCTV, security fencing, lighting, trained staff, insurance, transfer buses and access systems. Rogue operators cut corners to offer unrealistically low prices.
Rule of thumb:
If the price is dramatically cheaper than the rest of the market, it’s likely because corners are being cut somewhere… and often at your expense.
3) Check genuine, independent user reviews
Reviews are one of the best ways to assess reliability, if they’re genuine.
What to look for:
✔ Reviews hosted on independent platforms like Trustpilot
✔ A mix of positive and negative feedback (nobody is perfect)
✘ Beware websites displaying only glowing, hand-picked testimonials
Example:
APH features thousands of verified Trustpilot reviews, giving transparent insight into real customer experiences.
4) Make sure the company physically exists
A professional website is quick and cheap to set up – but real airport parking requires an actual, secure facility.
What to check:
– Look for a genuine physical address, not just a PO Box or “registered office”
– Enter the address in Google Maps + Street View to confirm it’s legitimate
– Be cautious if no landline or physical location is provided
If there’s no real address behind the business, consider it a red flag.
5) Check what and who’s behind the website
Rogue operators can launch a website in hours, making it essential to check who’s behind it.
What to check:
Use a domain lookup tool to view:
– Who registered the website
– When it was created
– Whether details are hidden or appear suspicious
Recently registered domains, concealed ownership, or obviously fake addresses should prompt caution.
Get all the details you need here
6) Search Companies House for info
The UK government’s Companies House database is free and invaluable for checking legitimacy.
What to check:
– Company age
– Director details
– Registered address
– Correct matching of website details
A long-established business with consistent records is a safer choice than a brand-new company with little traceable history.
Use this free government site to explore the parking firm you’re considering
7) Look for active content on websites and social media
Professional operators invest in genuine editorial content and maintain credible social channels.
What to check:
– Blog articles, guides and videos that appear authentic
– Facebook pages with real engagement – not thousands of purchased overseas followers
– Twitter/X feeds sharing original posts, not just retweets
– YouTube channels with real, older video content
– Avoid sites re-posting Americanised, copied or irrelevant content
A strong content presence usually means a business is well-established and transparent.
8) Check the VAT registration
Firms with an annual turnover above £82,000 must register for VAT. While being non-VAT-registered isn’t illegal, it can indicate a small-scale or short-term operation.
What to check:
– Does the car park list a VAT number?
– Does the number validate on the EU’s VIES checker?
– Does the scale of the facilities match what a sub-£82k turnover business could realistically provide?
A non-genuine VAT number is an instant deal-breaker.
Check the parking company’s VAT number here
9) Trust experience – it tells a long story
Longevity is one of the strongest indicators of trust. Rogue traders appear and disappear quickly, whereas reputable firms endure because customers return and recommend them.
APH, for example, has been operating for more than four decades, supported by consistently high customer satisfaction and repeat bookings.
10) Look for recognised awards and industry accreditation
Awards are a powerful sign of quality, consistency and customer trust. When choosing an airport parking provider, check whether they’ve been recognised by respected industry bodies.
APH is one of the UK’s most awarded airport parking companies:
– Winner of the British Travel Awards (BTA) 15 years in a row
– Which? Recommended Provider for airport parking
– Recognised for customer service, safety, value and overall reliability
These independent accolades demonstrate long-term excellence and reinforce confidence that your vehicle will be handled professionally from drop-off to pick-up.