Drivers Call APCOA Parking Fines a Scam — How to Fight Back

APCOA Parking claim to manage car parks across train stations, airports, and hospitals across the UK — from Manchester to Luton, London, Birmingham, Brighton, Leeds, and Glasgow, their Trustpilot reviews however tell a very different story. From 900+ of reviews, 93% are rated 1-star. Many users describe APCOA’s practices as "misleading," "predatory," and even "scammy."

If you've received a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) from APCOA, you’re not alone — and you can fight back.

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What Do Drivers Say About APCOA?

We've analysed 100s of their recent Trustpilot reviews. Here's what keeps coming up:

1. Fined for Minute-Long Airport Drop-Offs

Many reviewers report getting £100 fines for dropping someone off at Manchester or Luton Airport — often for less than 2 minutes.

"Dropped off my friend at Manchester Airport for 3 minutes. Got a £100 fine in the post. Thought the barriers were gone because it was now free — turns out it was a trap."

"Didn’t see any signage. Was just following sat nav. I was there for 90 seconds. Total scam."

2. Misleading Payment Systems and Broken Apps

Whether it’s at a train station or shopping centre, customers say the app is glitchy or unclear — and that APCOA uses this to issue fines.

"Paid on their app. Got a fine anyway. Appealed with proof, rejected. No humans seem to be reading these."

"Tried three times to pay using the app — kept crashing. Still got a £60 PCN. Their app is rigged to fail."

3. Signage Confusion and Hidden Charges

Drivers often complain about unclear rules, poor signage, and complicated or contradictory instructions.

"Signs were up high, text was tiny. I had no idea I was in a no-stop zone until the fine arrived."

"Machines broken. No help available. No way to pay. Got clamped outside a hospital. Disgusting."

4. Aggressive Fines Over Small Mistakes

Whether it's a mis-typed number plate or overstaying by 2 minutes, APCOA often shows no leniency.

"Paid £5 but typed wrong digit on reg. Got a £100 fine. Sent them proof. Ignored."

"Overstayed by 4 minutes at Luton Airport due to flight delay. Still fined. Appeal was just auto-rejected."

5. Appeals Ignored or Dismissed Without Reading

Many users report that their appeals — even with full evidence — are rejected without proper review.

"Tried to appeal through their website. It kept pushing me toward 'Pay Now' links. Whole system is designed to make you give up."

"My PCN was clearly wrong — they didn’t even look at the evidence. Just sent a standard rejection."

✉️ What to Do If You Got an APCOA Fine

Sample APCOA Parking Fine

Step 1: Check if the Fine Is Fair

Look at the PCN and the circumstances:

Were the signs visible and clear?
Did you stop for a short time in a drop-off zone?
Was the app or machine malfunctioning?
Do you have proof of payment or mitigating reasons?

Step 2: Gather Evidence

Include:

Photos of unclear or missing signage
Screenshots of app errors or payment confirmation
Receipts or bank statements
Proof of emergencies or appointments

Step 3: Submit the Appeal to APCOA

You can appeal directly through the APCOA website — you usually have 28 days.

Go to their appeals site
Enter your PCN number and vehicle reg, upload evidence, and explain your situation clearly.

🚫 Don’t pay before appealing — once you pay, you lose your right to challenge it.

Step 4: Escalate to POPLA (If Rejected)

If APCOA rejects your appeal, you can take it to POPLA, the independent appeals service for private parking.

Use the POPLA code in your rejection letter
Submit your POPLA appeal within 28 days
Reuse your evidence and clearly restate your case

Don’t Know What to Say? Let Resolvo Write the Appeal for You

You don’t need to stress over what to write or how to say it. Resolvo does the hard work for you — in under 2 minutes.

Here’s how it works:

Tell Resolvo what happened: Just describe your situation in plain English — no legal jargon needed.
Upload your ticket (optional): You can snap a photo of your PCN, and Resolvo will pull out the key details automatically.
Get a winning appeal letter: Resolvo uses artificial intelligence and is trained on the latest UK parking rules to create structured and personalised appeal — tailored to your situation

Appeal your APCOA Parking Fine with Resolvo

🧠 Can You Win an Appeal?

Yes. Many APCOA tickets can be cancelled after appeal — especially if:

You paid but mistyped your number plate
You were in a drop-off area for under 2 minutes
The app or payment system failed
The signage was poor or misleading

Even if APCOA rejects your appeal, you can escalate to POPLA (Parking on Private Land Appeals) — an independent body that has overturned many APCOA decisions.

🛑 Should You Ignore an APCOA Fine?

No. Ignoring the fine can lead to:

💸 Debt collection letters
⚖️ Court claims
❌ A potential County Court Judgment (CCJ)

Always appeal or respond — don’t ignore it.

💬 In Their Own Words: APCOA Reviews from Trustpilot

Here are just a few of the public comments:

"I owed £5. They threatened me with court over £100. This is intimidation."

"Paid via app. Still got fined. Customer service refused to help."

"Parked at a hospital, machine broken, photo of it and all. They still upheld the charge."

"Fined £100 for 1-minute drop-off at Luton Airport. There was no place to pay."

"Appeal rejected without explanation. This is a cash grab."

🎯 Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone — Fight Back

If you’ve been fined by APCOA and believe it was unfair, you’re not alone. Thousands of drivers have had similar experiences — and many have successfully appealed.

Let Resolvo help you fight back completely for free.

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