- New research compares modern car dimensions with typical UK parking bays, revealing how today’s bigger vehicles are outgrowing the spaces they’re meant to fit.
- 14 of the cars included in the research are too long for a typical UK parking space.
- BMW, Audi and Range Rover models leave the least amount of space to exit once parked, increasing the risk of scrapes, dings, and tight exits in standard bays.
With modern cars steadily increasing in size[1], but the recommended dimensions for UK parking bays stuck in the 1970s[2], today’s drivers are finding themselves in an increasingly tight spot.
New research[3] from temporary car insurance experts, Tempcover, examines some of the biggest cars on UK roads and compares their dimensions to the typical UK parking bay, revealing just how little room is left once you’ve pulled in. From tricky manoeuvres to door-dinging dilemmas, the findings highlight a growing mismatch between the cars we drive and the spaces we park them in.
Which Cars Are Longer Than a Typical UK Parking Space?
The typical UK parking bay length is 480cm[2], so which cars are hanging over the edge? Out of the cars researched, 14 were too long to fit inside a standard bay. The biggest overhanger? The BMW X7, measuring roughly 518cm. That’s 38cm longer than the bay, meaning it’s sticking out more than a foot every time it’s parked. Next up is the Audi Q7, overhanging by 27cm, followed by another BMW — the i5 Touring, at 506cm in length.
Just about squeezing into the bay is the Peugeot 5008, leaving less than 1cm (0.9cm) of space. At the other end of the scale, the Volvo XC40 leaves plenty of room, measuring 444cm long, giving it a comfortable 36cm of bay space.
| Make | Model | Length (cm) | Remaining Length Available (cm) |
| BMW | X7 | 518.1 | -38.1 |
| Audi | Q7 | 507.2 | -27.2 |
| BMW | i5 Touring | 506 | -26.0 |
| Range Rover | SUV | 505.2 | -25.2 |
| Kia | EV9 | 501 | -21.0 |
| Land Rover | Discovery | 495.6 | -15.6 |
| Volvo | XC90 | 495.3 | -15.3 |
| BMW | iX | 495.3 | -15.3 |
| Mercedes | E-Class Estate | 494.9 | -14.9 |
| BMW | X5 | 493.8 | -13.8 |
| Volkswagen | Passat | 491.7 | -11.7 |
| Hyundai | Santa Fe | 483 | -3.0 |
| Kia | Sorento | 481 | -1.0 |
| Citroën | C5 X | 480.5 | -0.5 |
The 14 vehicles from the research that are too long for a typical UK parking space
Parking Bays vs Car Width: Is There Enough Room to Get Out?
None of the cars researched were wider than a standard UK parking bay, but that doesn’t mean getting out is easy. Each vehicle’s width was compared to typical bay dimensions, and the remaining space on either side was calculated assuming the car was parked centrally between two others. This space was then compared to the body width of a 5th percentile male to assess whether someone could realistically stand beside the car and exit without difficulty.
BMW dominates the list of cars offering the tightest squeeze, with three models appearing in the top five. All five leave so little room that less than 5% of men would be able to stand next to the vehicle. The BMW iX leaves just 8.5cm of space, about the width of a business card[⁴] — making getting out more than a little awkward.
| Make | Model | Width (cm) | Remaining Width Available (cm) | Remaining Width Available for One Side (cm) | Too Tight for 95% of Men? |
| BMW | iX | 223 | 17.0 | 8.5 | Y |
| Land Rover | Discovery | 222 | 18.0 | 9.0 | Y |
| BMW | X5 | 221.8 | 18.2 | 9.1 | Y |
| BMW | X7 | 221.8 | 18.2 | 9.1 | Y |
| Audi | Q7 | 221.2 | 18.8 | 9.4 | Y |
The five vehicles from the research that were the widest in comparison to the UK’s typical bay width
Claire Wills-Mckissick, temporary car insurance expert at Tempcover, adds:
“If parking leaves you a little flustered, you’re not alone. Our research shows that some cars, like the BMW X7 and Audi Q7, aren’t the easiest to squeeze into tight spaces. So, if using a standard bay is part of your regular routine, it might be worth considering something a bit more compact. That said, if you’ve already got your heart set on a bigger car, temporary car insurance lets you bring in a confident driver for the tricky spots, if you ever want a helping hand.”