Hi All, As promised, I'm keeping you updated on this, especially after more people are finding this is an issue. I complained to the FOS, who said they can't help, but I challenged that decision and eventually got them to write to Black Horse on my behalf. Yesterday I recived their final decision letter, which states: "The completed signed agreement was forwarded to us via the supplying dealer and set up on our systems accordingly. If you have any further issues in respect of this matter, this needs to be referred to the supplying dealer." They also go on to comment on my issue with the HPI register: "...as responsible lenders, we did record that the vehicle was purchased by way of a loan with us. This record is made as we are responsible lenders and in an effort to try to prevent possible overindebtedness." The notion that Black Horse are responsible lenders is a joke at best, and actually offensive. The fact that the agreement states that we must settle when we sell the car must be enough. As far as I can see, they can't have this both ways. They have sold me a car by way of a loan. They have secured that loan on the car. But they claim that this is neither HP or a Secured Loan. Surely they can only have it one way?? The bottom line is, my letter suggests that we have them on the run - they are trying to pass the buck to the car dealership, who in my case no longer exists. It would be like going to a bank to complain that a loan was mis-sold and them saying "sorry, but the person who sold you it no longer works here. Contact them!" I'm on my way back to the Ombudsman to deal with this!! By the way - my call to Trading Standards was literally a waste of a phone call. Keep fighting!!! Andrew

I'll keep you posted on any progress!!

Hi, Exactly - I originally found out there was a problem when I wrote to VT the agreement. I've now paid 28 of my 48 payments. I heard nothing back, so I called and spoke to someone who first raised the issue with the agreement not being HP. I followed the CCA request process, continually being posted a photocopy of the single page agreement. I have continually requested copies of the T&Cs so that I can read about termination, but they never respond. I wrote to complain, waited 8 weeks and finally wrote to the FOS. Their letter says: "Thank you for your recent enquiry. From the information you have provided, it would appear that we cannot deal with your complaint because the business is not covered. However, it is possible the that Finance & Leasing Association may be able to help you. I would therefore suggest that you contact them..." It goes on to give details of the F&LA, but their site suggests that they do not cover these guys either. Any thoughts?? Cheers, Andrew

Hi, I've been having exactly this problem with Black Horse. I have what I believed to be a HP agreement, but turns out to be a Fixed-Sum Loan Agreement. I've gone through the complaints procedure, but with no luck - they literally ignore my letters...they continually send me a single, photocopied, unreadable copy of the agreement. I've written to the Financial Ombudsman Service who have today responded to say that they cannot help, and referred me to the Finance & Leasing Association. I've just checked their website, and there doesn't appear to be any mention of Black Horse on there. I'm going to fight this, since the garage I bought it from (Dixons) is no longer available to help (liquidated last year). Any thoughts on how to proceed? I'm thinking that I need to speak to the Trading Standards office, but do you think I'm wasting my time?? Cheers all!! Andrew