VT - Help

[REBEL82]

Hi all, I really need some help, not sure how to proceed.

So basically, I had an HP agreement with Specialist Motor Finance for 5 years, I decided to VT halfway through the agreement. Sent them a letter, met all legal requirements. Handed over the car at their collection center, used the appraisal app to confirm any wear & tear, took my pictures as a protection, never signed anything. They stopped taking any payments the same month (last August) and continued to mark my credit file as "payment taken". Last Friday I receive an email stating £600 pounds of repair charges that must be paid to settle the agreement. I replied, and said I do not accept the charges as the car was returned in good (average) condition (used legal beagles template). Today for my shock, I see a default mark on my credit file. No warning, no notice of arrears, no default notice, nothing, never missed a payment. They say, we will remove the default when you pay the £600 pounds. What can I do to sort this out? seems highly irregular to say the least. Thanks for your help.

[R0b]

It is and I would go as far as suggesting it is a breach of data protection laws for failing to keep records and data accurate.

You can either make a complaint and follow that through to the Financial Ombudsman, although they are heavily behind on work and you could be waiting months if not years to get resolved and maybe not to your satisfaction.

Or you can consider taking them to court and seek compensation yourself, with the risk being they counterclaim for the £600 charges and you having to defend that.