The company found that many of the latest SUVs are quickly outgrowing parking spaces (Image: Getty)
A growing number of drivers who own a type of car that is growing in popularity are encountering a frustrating issue when .
According to a study by the car park booking service , many of the latest are becoming found across the UK.
Andy Syrett, UK Managing Director of YourParkingSpace, highlighted that many in the country are still designed to fit smaller cars from the 1970s.
He explained: “While modern cars are fitted with an array of sensors to , this doesn’t change the fact there are more larger cars on the UK’s roads and that parking bays have not increased in size.
“There is an easily accessible alternative as YourParkingSpace lists thousands of rentable driveways across the UK, that are bigger than bays, which car owners can pre-book to park their vehicles on.”
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Regulations covering the recommended size of parking spaces were last updated in 1976 (Image: Getty)
According to the company, the average family SUV bought in the UK, such as the Nissan Qashqai or Kia Sportage, is around 4.8 metres long and 2.4 metres wide.
Both figures are a stark contrast from the typical dimensions of an older car, with a third-generation Ford Cortina (the best-selling car of the 1970s) spanning 4.2 metres long and just 1.7 metres wide.
Nevertheless, the regulations that determine the minimum size a parking space can be have not been updated since 1976 – creating significant challenges to users.
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Most popular SUVs, like the Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai, leave a gap of around 50cm (Image: Getty)
Whilst the average modern car tries to tackle parking problems by fitting sensors and cameras around the vehicle, drivers can still encounter issues after their car is in the bay.
In particular, YourParkingSpace noted that the average modern car has little over 50cm between them and the next vehicle, making it incredibly difficult for drivers and occupants to get out – particularly with young children or pets.
As a result, drivers could put their car at a much higher risk of being dented or scratched by other road users when leaving it in a parking space.
Andy recommended that SUV owners who are unsure their car will fit in typical parking spaces could always rent a driveway, which typically gives them significantly more space.
He added: “Bigger is better when it comes to parking spaces. Parking on a rented driveway removes the stress of manoeuvring in a small bay and squeezing out through car doors which can barely be opened.”
YourParkingSpace highlighted that many users have driveways available near widely-used destinations, including train stations, airports, and stadiums.