More than 150 car models are too big to fit into parking spaces, says consumer watchdog Which?
Car parking sizes have not changed for decades but cars are being made longer and wider.
It’s a phenomenon known as “aotubesity” as so called “Chelsea Tractors” dominate crowded High Streets.
The UK norm for parking spaces is 2.4 metres wide by 4.8 metres long.
Natalie Hitchins, Which?’s home products and services editor, said:
“Cars are getting larger and larger, and while this might mean a more comfortable driving experience, it could be a problem when it comes to squeezing into a parking space.
“While some car parks are introducing wider bays it won’t be the case everywhere.
“Some drivers might struggle getting parked up in certain locations – particularly multistorey car parks.”
Which? 161 models it measured were longer than the standard bay.
The longest car is the BMW i7.
When parked it will stick out more than half a metre, posing potential challenges for other motorists manoeuvring around the car park, as well as pedestrians.
A Mercedes-Benz S-Class hybrid is 44.6cm longer than an average bay, while an Audi A8 sticks out by 37.2cm.
The research also revealed that 27 models are too wide for drivers to comfortably open their doors when parked between two other cars.
Road safety campaigners have called for sports utility vehicles (SVUs) to be banned in busy pedestrian areas.
The Journal of Safety Research last year found that children were eight times more likely to die when struck by a (SVU) than those struck by a passenger car.
Large SUVs weigh an average 2,000kg, although some go up to as heavy as 3,400kg, compared with about 1,200kg for a family hatchback.
