Our Successes
GTA rate review
In 2025, GTA subscribers agreed to an annual independent review of maximum vehicle hire rates, using market data from two top suppliers, including APU.
GTA chair Stewart McCulloch called the review a key part of the revised GTA, resulting from unprecedented collaboration between insurers, credit hire firms, and data experts.
Over 15.7 million price quotes were analysed, marking the first fully objective method for assessing daily hire rates. The process enhances credibility, with some rates rising and others falling.
Court-compliant rate evidence
APU played a crucial part in three significant credit hire cases in the Court of Appeal:
- Bent v Highways & Utilities Construction Ltd
- Stevens v Equity Syndicate Management Limited
- McBride v UK Insurance Ltd
The vehicle daily hire rate evidence provided by APU assisted the Court of Appeal in calculating the basic hire rate for a hire car where the credit hire company provided a nil excess.
Autofocus
APU was involved in providing a range of services in relation to a High Court (Administrative division) claim brought by its client against a number of individuals formerly employed by Autofocus Limited.
APU’s client alleged large scale fraud on the part of Autofocus acting through its employees in relation to vehicle hire rates evidence submitted by Autofocus.
Lord Justice Moses was quoted as saying “if these allegations were made out, this would be perjury on an industrial scale”.
Estimates suggested that up to 30,000 credit hire cases could have been affected by this fraudulent evidence and ultimately a number of the defendants received custodial sentences.
“I have found APU reports to be extremely useful; both with regard to proving hire periods are reasonable and justified, and in providing contemporaneous BHR evidence which is detailed and highly case specific. They have undoubtedly assisted in the success of many of my cases.”
Elinor Hoile, Kings Bench Chambers
“TRUE Solicitors LLP credit hire department has been using the services of APU Ltd for many years now. They provide us with detailed statements addressing the period of hire, concise BHR evidence, and also Locus Reports for liability disputed cases. All of which have proved an invaluable resource helping us give best advice to our clients, and playing an important part in the ongoing success of our department.”
Chris Jehan
True Solicitors
“APU – the period statements are invaluable as evidence. Because they are in chronological order, they show clearly the progress of the repairs and, consequently, the period of hire. They also demonstrate where the responsibility for delays in the procedure fall which is so important when a defendant attempts to argue for a reduction in period. So far, I have never known a Judge to dispute them.”
Kathy Anderson
Kings Bench Chambers