Recently, attention has been drawn to a BMW SUV parked long-term in a shopping mall parking lot in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. The vehicle has been parked there for over 11 months, accumulating parking fees close to 17,000 yuan (RMB). Unable to reach the owner, the mall eventually fenced off the vehicle.
On February 2nd, a netizen posted on social media that a BMW SUV with Anhui license plates had been fenced off in an underground parking lot of a shopping mall in Hangzhou. The BMW has been parked at the Hangzhou Crystal City Shopping Center since March of last year and remains there to this day.
According to the images, the vehicle entered the parking lot on March 1, 2025, at around 2 a.m., accumulating a total parking time of 8101 hours with a fee of 16900 yuan.
Another image shows the black BMW surrounded by fences, with a piece of paper attached to the rear window with the message: “To move the car, please contact Crystal City Control Center 24/7 hotline…”
According to a report by Red Star News, on February 4th, a spokesperson from the planning department of the mall stated that they still couldn’t contact the owner of the BMW. “We contacted the police station, and they reached out to the person involved, but they didn’t come to handle the situation.”
Legal experts pointed out that the mall is not allowed to dispose of the vehicle on its own.
Zhao Liangshan, senior partner at Hengda Law Firm in Shaanxi, stated that according to relevant regulations, owners who park long-term and refuse to pay are in breach of contract and should bear the responsibility to pay outstanding fees and compensation for losses. However, the mall’s exercise of the right of lien is subject to strict legal limitations, and they cannot detain or dispose of the vehicle on their own.
He mentioned that the mall should first fulfill its obligation to notify the owner, including posting a notice, contacting the owner, and issuing public announcements. If these efforts are fruitless, they can seek administrative assistance from the police, traffic police, or urban management department. If the issue remains unresolved, legal action can be taken against the owner through judicial means, and the court can then dispose of the vehicle in accordance with the law upon a successful lawsuit.