APCOA have passed Airport Fine over to Debt Recovery Plus!! … What to do now?

AnnOnnyMuss

hi I know there is a lot of information regarding the issue I’m about to raise. I was just wondering if there is anybody that could give me any advice on my situation.

Back in May 2025 I had received x4 APCOA PCN fines from Manchester Airport for a drop off/pick up payments that hadn’t been made I believe I had made these payments or there had been a payment issue as I am a private hire driver and I use the airport on a daily basis. I had appealed all four of the fines stating that I was a private hire driver and this was not done intentionally and I believe that there had been a payment mistake or issue and if they could disregard the fines or let me pay the initial fee it would be much appreciated as this would financially cripple me with having the possibility of having to pay up to £240 for all four fines. I also stated in the appeal that I had a newborn baby that was a matter of days old and I was unable to work for the past month and the following weeks as there had been birth complications with my wife, I was merely trying to explain that I was unable to pay due to my current circumstances…. the appeals were declined and the new fines were now x4 £100 which now total £400 for a possible £22 payment issue. This had mentally affected me … I wanted to set a payment plan up but with not being able to contact APCOA directly and try and create a payment plan with themselves I didn’t know what do as I do not have the money to pay in full …. Days went by and while focusing on the newborn and my wife I had totally forgot about the appeals being declined, now in August 2025 I have received x4 debt recovery plus letters stating I owe £170 for each of these fines totalling £680. I find this ridiculous and I struggle to understand how they are able to raise these fines by so much… even the initial £60 for missing a £5 payment is ridiculous like people have said it’s all a big scam and they prey on people missing these payments to fine them and even appeal them so they can decline appeals and raise the fines yet again. 

There is now a choice to create a payment plan with the Debt Recovery Plus but I am reluctant as the total amount of £680 from the initial £240 and even from the £22 missed payments is sickening.

What would be the best course of action for me to now take? 

Gr1pr

Ignore 

See post 4 in the newbies sticky thread in announcements near the top of the forum 

Manchester Airport has been a mess ever since Apcoa took over 4 months ago 

ChirpyChicken

oh such a shame as we could have had these all cancelled so easily!
Right dont worry its easily sorted
You just ignore around 20 letters from Debt Recovery Plus (as around 4 to 5 DRP letters per PCN) 
You dont phone them
You dont email them
You bin all letters from DRP
You dont show us any of them

For future reference APCOA are the easiest parking company to beat with set text

That is that.

Coupon-mad

As above.

Still unsure that we are right? Just click on the little red 'MSE link' in the small 'Parking Ticket Appeals' banner at the top of this page which leads to the MSE Guide to fight PCNs.

Same info is shown in both this forum and in that Guide, as regards the debt recovery letters being a futile stage and risk-free. Consistent advice here is easy to find and not just from random strangers. The MSE Guide is official 'Martin Lewis backed' advice.

NEXT TIME COME HERE FIRST.   

We know how to get every parking operator's PCN cancelled (advice may differ for each one and will change in 2026). But you are best NOT ignoring the first PCN. Most are a cinch to beat.

AnnOnnyMuss

Hi thank you for all of your responses it is much appreciated. 

I just want to be sure that I had explained myself properly and I understand your inputs correctly.

So even though I confirms I was the driver and I have attempted to appeal the 4 fines from APCOA online and they was declined and fines were raised and then passed on to Debt Recovery Plus, now  DRP have sent 4 separate fines with there added fee’s on top …

I am not to respond to any of the letters received and I am to ignore any future correspondence from DRP no matter how much they raise the fines?

Is there any instance that I am to respond? 

Is there a possibility of me getting a CCJ regarding this? 

(As I have worked hard on my credit score and wouldn’t wont to have this negatively impacted)

After roughly the 20+ letters DRP will basically give up and throw this out without taking it any further? 

Apologies for extra questions I just want to clarify I am understanding correctly, also if there is any extra info you believe you may need or have missed please feel free to ask.

Many thanks to you all, It is much appreciated! 🙏🏼

ChirpyChicken

Just follow the advice ive given 
Your credit file is irrelevant 

Nothing further needs adding.

Coupon-mad

You don't have any fines.

It doesn't go up.

You aren't going to pay a penny.

You are not risking a CCJ

The official MSE Guide tells you about both of those things. Did you read it thoroughly? Both questions (is it a fine? Will I risk a CCJ?) are answered there already.